When I come to a stop I sometimes (often) get a pronounced CLUNK almost a BANG sometimes. It almost sounds like the rear end or driveshaft is going to let loose. Is this just the vacuum system screwing with the transmission or something else?
Would someone who knows this stuff like to fix my car. I won't dare just take it to any old garage, and don't have the energy or equipment to figure it out on my own right now, I'd rather pay someone.

1983 Mercedes 300CD
Running WVO blends with a scarry clunk

Mark
Sparta NJ 07871
973-670-0483

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1983 300CD 245K
Running WVO blends

Jack the car up and rotate your driveshaft by hand and see where the play is coming from. Probably the flex disc or U-Joint.

If you were closer I'd give your car a free vacuum checkup. Sorry it's a little far from Calif
Are you near Absecon? If no members near you come forward to help you might want to contact Bill at Ditmer Motors there, tel (609) 641-3392 he is a good guy and will not gouge you if it's something small.
There are places that will tell you what you need is a rebuilt transmission (which could actually be true) but quite often a clunk like you describe can be related to lack of vacuum for some simple reason. If a small orofice in the vacuum manifold line gets plugged up or a hose comes off or something you will have a clunk because as you slow down and the transmission is upshifting there should be vacuum telling the transmission to reduce hydraulic pressure. If it doesn't get this vac then there is a power surge as internal pressure lets the driveline receive a burst of torque, enough to make the rear end shudder and the drive shafts gets whumped all the way back to the differential and flex disks too. This can be damaging to all the above so don't drive too much under these conditions. If you have to drive in a lot of stop and go traffic you might find that keeping the gear selector in S or 2nd gear (actually 3rd gear in most 123's) will prevent some of the clunking. BTDT.
Let us know what you finally find out to be the problem and I hope it is vac related!

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

He isn't near Bil.. he's in sussex county about 3 hours away. If you come to the get together in PA on Saturday we'll take a look at it for you!

For what its worth I have the same car
jarring clunk. On my car there is no vac. currently to the trans. Once I have the old gal running and driving I will turn towards addressing the vac. issues.

Kind regards

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

This morning the clunk was on the upshift (more of a surge -clunk) when accelerating in traffic. The braking clunk was not really there this morning.
Thanks for the tips on the drive shaft too!

Actually, we will be going to PA this Saturday afternoon/evening and staying overnight in the West Chester area, southwest of Philly.

Mark

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1983 300CD 245K
Running WVO blends

One of the Vacuum hoses was disconnected under the hood. I put it back into its rubber tee, and the clunk is gone. There is still lots of play in the driveshaft / rear end, but no clunk!

Again thanks to all for the info, and offers to take a look at my car.

Mark

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1983 300CD 245K
Running WVO blends

Hi Mark,
Which hose was disconnected? On top of the motor?
Thanks.

I think you are in need of a 1/2 axle replacement. Clunks from the rear end that are periodic and random.....

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

You're a lucky man, Mark thanks for letting us know.
I heard of someone who paid a shop $700 to fix a clunking problem, they replaced flex disks and half axles and somehow the clunking suddenly went away (probably the vac line pulled off at the transmission when the owner had an oil change at JiffyLube! Its easy to pull against vac lines in that area when removing the oil filter cover.)

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

I actually have the same problem, and lacking much mechanical skill, am looking for a good mechanic or shop in the Bay Area to take a look at my 1985 300D turbo. I'd like to get the problem fixed before I do too much damage to the drivetrain -- I suspect it's vacuum-related, as the clunking goes away after driving the car on the highway for a bit.

Dieseldiehard: would you have any suggestions for a good MB workshop in the SF Bay Area?

Nick
1985 300D, 227,000 miles
Palo Alto, CA

Yesiree, Nick! Contact Larry at the MB Garage in San Mateo. tel 650-349-2744 he will do you right. Its not far from the train in case you have to drop it off ask him to ferry you to the station.
FWIW I work in Palo Alto, at least starting next month. If you have a clunk, I'd be glad to check the vac at the transmission for you to see if it is out of spec, but that's about all I have time for, I am restoring the interior of an '83 (wife's) and replacing parts on a 124 (mines) now that we finally have decent weather!

1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441*
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 298446
1983 300D 244626
1985 300TD 226868
1987 300D 262300*

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!