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  #1  
Old 08-26-2006, 03:20 PM
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Rear differential gone bad??? Please read!!!

Hi everyone, my 1987 300td sedan just developed a bad "CLUNCK" in the rear end when shifting between 2-3 and 3-4. It only happens while under very light acceleration or going downhill, basically when there is no heavy pressure being applied to the differential. If I accelerate harder, it shifts through all 4 gears fine. Is my rear differental done (too much play in it) and needs replacing?? Any help is greatly appreciated.

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1984 MB 300D Turbo Diesel W123 Sedan 132K
1987 MB 300D Turbo W124 Sedan 295K
1983 Porsche 944 104K
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  #2  
Old 08-26-2006, 03:22 PM
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Check your flexdisks.
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Old 08-26-2006, 03:22 PM
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Your symptoms typically signify a vacuum leak to the modulator.

Got a vacuum gauge that you can put in a T with the transmission vacuum line and drive the vehicle.......see what the vacuum level is?
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  #4  
Old 08-26-2006, 09:10 PM
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W124 300E differential in a W124 300TD???

I checked the vacuum and the rear flex disc... everything is fine. I still think it`s the rear differential going totally bad. My next question is will a differential from a 1987 300E fit my 1987 300TD?? I have an extra diff from the 300E (my parts car) and would certainly love to use it. Thanks everyone!!
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1984 MB 300D Turbo Diesel W123 Sedan 132K
1987 MB 300D Turbo W124 Sedan 295K
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2002 Audi A6 3.0 Quattro Avant 49K (Wife's car with warranty )

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  #5  
Old 08-26-2006, 11:04 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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be advised that mb rear ends almost NEVER wear out.

you have to run them without lube or have two very different sized rear tires to hurt them.

this is why the other fellows are suggesting other things.

tom w
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  #6  
Old 08-26-2006, 11:21 PM
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I was just discussing a rear end clunking noise with Greasybenz, we took a drive in my '87 project car. We both drive '87 300D's and we both have a decided clunk when the trans shifts.
One cause for this is worn bushings in the rear control arms, its very common in that chassis. You simply replace the arms. The rear suspension in the W124 need these parts otherwise the cars won't handle right and will make all kinds of nasty noises.
There is a lot of torque in that engine that also causes rubber in the diff mount to flex, its worth inspecting also.
I would put my bets on parts other than the differential, not to rule it out completely but suspension parts are much cheaper to fix than a new diff.
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  #7  
Old 08-26-2006, 11:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IZELJIC View Post
I checked the vacuum and the rear flex disc... everything is fine. I still think it`s the rear differential going totally bad. My next question is will a differential from a 1987 300E fit my 1987 300TD?? I have an extra diff from the 300E (my parts car) and would certainly love to use it. Thanks everyone!!
I believe the 300E is a 3.27 but I know the 300D (1986/87) is 2.65 because I looked there recently. They are interchangeable as long as you don't have a LSD (limited slip) from a donor car
There is info on this in several of the forum threads, try the search feature.
The ratio is stamped into one corner of the diff case too BTW.

Someone I believe wanted the 3.27 to gain acceleration in a diesel. Why I wouldn't know because they accelerate fine (unless you were planning on drag racing or something!) actually I'd love to find a 2.32 or similar for mine!
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Old 08-27-2006, 01:41 AM
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You can thank Dave

http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/other/differentials.pdf
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  #9  
Old 08-30-2006, 08:42 PM
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How to get the differential rubber bushings out?????

I purchased a rear differential RUBBER BUSHINGS today. I can't get them out though. Do I need a special tool to remove them? PLEASE PLEASE HELP!!!
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1984 MB 300D Turbo Diesel W123 Sedan 132K
1987 MB 300D Turbo W124 Sedan 295K
1983 Porsche 944 104K
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  #10  
Old 08-31-2006, 01:43 PM
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The clunk is pretty likely to be the rear diff mounts in the subframe... this is a pretty common failure. I've never changed them though, and I don't know how hard it is. I know there is a special tool to pull/press the new ones in. Usually when the diff goes bad, it howls, not clunks. Don't use the 300E diff, the ratio is not the same (see PDF link above), and besides I don't think changing the diff will do anything.

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  #11  
Old 09-01-2006, 03:32 PM
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I second the diff mounts.... this was a spendy repair.
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  #12  
Old 09-06-2006, 10:02 AM
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She's cured!!!

Everyone was right!!! It was the differential bushings and not the differential itself!!! I can't believe that they can couse so much pain in the b... Along with an unpluged vacuum line which caused the transmission to shift rough it is now all good and she runs great. A few minor things here and there and she'll be a top model again!!!

BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AT THE FORUM!!!!
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1984 MB 300D Turbo Diesel W123 Sedan 132K
1987 MB 300D Turbo W124 Sedan 295K
1983 Porsche 944 104K
1989 Audi 80 Quattro 180K
2002 Audi A6 3.0 Quattro Avant 49K (Wife's car with warranty )

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  #13  
Old 09-06-2006, 10:05 AM
Craig
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Good job. The differentials on these things are pretty robust.
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  #14  
Old 09-06-2006, 10:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IZELJIC View Post
Everyone was right!!! It was the differential bushings and not the differential itself!!! I can't believe that they can couse so much pain in the b... Along with an unpluged vacuum line which caused the transmission to shift rough it is now all good and she runs great. A few minor things here and there and she'll be a top model again!!!

BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AT THE FORUM!!!!
What are the differential bushings? It's not this is it?

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  #15  
Old 09-06-2006, 11:06 AM
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No, those are differential mounts and not the bushings. Bushings are facing backwards toward the rear of the car and you can clearly see them if you look at the differential from the back of the car. $25 for a pair at the MB dealer.

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1984 MB 300D Turbo Diesel W123 Sedan 132K
1987 MB 300D Turbo W124 Sedan 295K
1983 Porsche 944 104K
1989 Audi 80 Quattro 180K
2002 Audi A6 3.0 Quattro Avant 49K (Wife's car with warranty )

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