85's have the VSS on the back of the speedo, this may be the electronic gizmo you've heard about, I believe that the VSS is elsewhere on earlier models. Other than that the speedometer is the same as earlier models (except the 85mph versions of course).

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

I just swapped an 1985 speedo into my Bride's 84 300D to display the correct speed after changing the diffy out. Externally, the speedos looked identical, the only difference was the gearing.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I have heard that using a higher viscosity differential lube may reduce the noise/whining. I believe the factory spec is for 75-w90? Redline and Amsoil offer 75-w140 synthetic lubes that you may want to try. I wouldn't go with a non-synthetic 140w oil as it may not work well enough at low temps. The synthetc 140 should be fine unless you are in Alaska. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

While we're on the subject.......my "good" 240D is an auto and my parts car is a manual oh well. Question is, I read before that the manuals are geared differently than the autos, so could I take the diff gears out of the manual and put in the auto to get less noise at highway speeds or will it make my 240D too poky? Both cars are '81's
It does go pretty good from a stop - based on comments I see from other owners this is not normal.

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'85 300D - 206K (sold)
'81 240D - 149K (sold)
'03 Jetta TDI - (sold)
'79 300D - (sold)

I would have thought that MB would be consistant in the location of the ratio stamping on the diff housing. They were not; my 300SD is stamped at the rear left (3.07) - doner 420 (2.47) is at the rear right side.

the ratios are the same but the difference is that the shift points indicators on the speedo are slightly different to allow for slippage in the auto box. so nothing there to offer any change in performance.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

what is a vss?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Why pull gears...just flush fluids and put the Diff assembly in as a unit....

But I bet this is what you really meant to say.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche