I have an 85 300TD and started to hear loud squealy noises from the rear. My husband thinks it's the bearings (on jacks the wheel can be spun only 1/4 inch and you hear this metal to metal squeal) so I stopped driving the car and we are considering doing the job as we have no good mechanics around here. We've only had the car a year and have done simple jobs on it like adjusting the valves, diagnosing the vaccum probs, and replacing the glow plugs but we aren't sure we are up to a job such as this. Any insight as to what tools we'd need, time estimates for novices doing the job and sites that may reference details on the process as well as anything else you think may help, such as what else we should replace while were into this, would be greatly appreciated. Also if we should check into other possible problems that could be causing this squeal.
Thanks much.
AKchick

first pull both wheels and the rotors, it is possible that it is the parking brakes dragging. search this site for info on that.

it is quite a job, from what I gather, a lot more complicated than most axle/ bearing assys. I am getting ready to do mine- waiting on a 4 pin socket to remove bearings. i am a bit nervous about it, and i used to work on peterbilts, doing this stuff all the time.

there are a few tools that one needs that are not common to every day wrenching. i need to do mine in order to swap out rear trailing arms, not because they failed.

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

Yes, I agree with parking brake (posted this on another thread). For an on-line manual to take a look try http://mb.braingears.com

Some PB Blaster penetrating oil might be the cure.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Yes test first then evaluate. Could be some brake issues.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

[QUOTE=akchick] We've only had the car a year and have done simple jobs on it like adjusting the valves, diagnosing the vaccum probs, and replacing the glow plugs but we aren't sure we are up to a job such as this.

If it is the bearings, I would look for a good used half axle,
That jobs a little beyond my "comfort zone"

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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"

Rear-wheel bearings on these cars are neither fun nor simple to service/replace. The locknut for the bearing ass'y. requires a special tool for reassembly, at least.

A good axle shaft won't help, but if you have to do the bearings, replacement of the 1/2 shafts would be something to consider doing at the same time, as you'll have to remove the axle from the hub ass'y., anyway.

Used semi-trailing arms, however, would be a potential option, if you can find rust-free specimens with appropriate end-play on the existing bearings.

Either way, this is a BIG job. I hope it is just the brakes!

Jay.

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On the road, currently:
'83 300D (German spec.) 168k mi. - - Wolfgang (tucked snugly away for the winter!)
'87 300D 375k mi. - finally went over to "The Dark Side"
'87 300TD 225k mi.
Cannondale 66cm CAAD5 w/Campy/Jamis Aurora
Hujsak Custom Fixie/Landshark Track Shark Custom/Ahearne Custom 29'er

Thanks much for all your replies. It's great to have this forum and I appreciate the time you've all taken to help. We'll look into the dragging brake issue and hope that is the case.
AKchick