OK, my 240D came to me last year with alot of spider webs, 179000 miles, and some bad bumper stickers that I spent alot of time peeling off. Since then I have replaced the battery, glow plug relay, alternator, master cylinder, head gasket, and two tires. I have driven 16000 miles and gotten regular oil changes.
I want to keep up on the preventive maintenance and I would appreciate advice.
1 - recently, I blew wheel bearings in the front passenger side and these where replaced. The rubber boots around the front lower ball joints have completely torn off and I plan on having both replaced, what else should I have done at that time?
2 - When I first got the car (16000 miles ago) I changed the auto transmission fluid and filter. But, it isnt the smoothest so I guess its also time to change the fluid and filter again to keep it from getting any older?
3 - Is it important to change the steering fluid and filter (I have no idea when this was last done but the steering is fine)?
4 - anything else in a car approaching 200k that ought to be looked in to?
5 - ever since I got the car, when I make a sharp turn and the weight of the car moves to one side or the other I hear a non-violent clickity-clak coming from the rear. What is this and should I worry about it?

Thanks for the help,
Dan

Welcome to the forum Dan. As a new member, you will benefit the most from using the "search" button and checking out posts from the past. It is a slow process, but worthwhile, because you get multiple opinions from many people and you develop the knowledge that you need to maintain these vehicles.

I will provide some brief answers to your questions here:

1) Normally, wheel bearings are not inclined to "blow" unless they are operated at an extended period of time without sufficient grease. Since you replaced the right side bearings, I would strongly advise you to repack the bearings on the left side to prevent this from happening for the second time.

With a vehicle that has 180K, the rubber bushings on the front end are starting to get a bit long in the tooth. Some of these bushings, other than the lower ball joints may need replacement, however, it is strictly done on condition.

2) The period between transmission fluid changes is 30K miles. If you have changed it in the last 16K then changing it again will not result in any changes in the shift quality.

3) Yes, change the power steering fluid and filter at this time.

4) Have you had the valves adjusted since you owned the vehicle? Have you had the injection timing checked since you owned the vehicle?
Have you changed the belts and hoses since you owned the vehicle?

5) The non-violent clickety-clack is likely to be one of the axle shafts. These can go for quite some time in this condition, however, you should plan on replacing them before too much time elapses.

"3) Yes, change the power steering fluid and filter at this time."

the last two P/S filters I changed were the old style which leads me to believe that some folks never change it or even know about it.

I always use a pressure bleeder to change out the brake fluid, you might consider that. It helps to keep the callipers in good shape, use Dot 4

__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

thanks for the responses. I have read through this page a bit, and it seems like I have alot more reading to do. Only wish I had a heated garage
Thanks
Dan

dgreenhouse,

Yes change the PS fluid and then next week replace the power steering pump like others have done here.

Seems like they added ATF like the book says and it damaged the pump seals. So add PS fluid not ATF.

But I would just not change it at all and not take the chance of damaging the PS pump. Mine 300SDs are older than yours and I'm not about the change to PS fluid.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

P E H

(5) My 77 240d was making a similar noise on turns recently and I was afraid that something in the rear end was failing.

Turned out to be some kind of support or brace and apparently it is a common problem in this model. It was cheap to replace and it did not take the mechanic long to do it. He just looked under there and told me what was wrong so apparently, it is something easily seen without taking anything apart.