My 85 300D has just started to make noise when I turn left. It is curious in that the noise and a little vibration seems to be coming from the shift linkage. When my hand is on the shift knob it has a periodic vibration that feels like something is coming in contact with the linkage (possibly something that is rotating?). The trans shifts great and has no discernable problems. It only does this when I turn to the left and seems to be more pronounced the sharper the turn. It doesn't do it on a slight left turn such as when passing.

I have not been able to jack it up and look for a culprit yet as it just started yesterday.

I am looking for some guidance on what could possibly be causing this!

Thanks,
Stephen

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85 300D 305K miles WVO(105K so far), Mine
82 300SD 235K miles BIO-D, Wifes
96 F250 SC PSD 4X4 285K MILES BIO-D, Ours
89 BRONCO 182K MILES sold
Finally Compression Ignition Only!

Vibrations are hard to locate. I would crawl under the car and have a look around. Check both flex discs(no cracking), the center bearing on the driveshaft(no sloppy movement), the transmission mount, differential mount, and the half shafts. The mounts shouldn't be cracked or look funny in any other way. The boots on the half shafts shouldn't be cracked or torn.

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And.... the two bushings on the shift linkage.

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80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

I found the problem. Both of the shift linkage bushings were AWOL. This allowed the shift linkage to fall over and come in contact with the flex disk when making a left hand turn. Luckily no damage was done and I rigged it with a piece of the correct size rubber grommit to keep me going until parts are recieved.

Interestingly i looked for the parts on a competeters site and they did not list those parts for my make and model?

Thanks,
Stephen

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85 300D 305K miles WVO(105K so far), Mine
82 300SD 235K miles BIO-D, Wifes
96 F250 SC PSD 4X4 285K MILES BIO-D, Ours
89 BRONCO 182K MILES sold
Finally Compression Ignition Only!

Probably because they're too cheap. I just took my "new" 1984 300D to the mechanic today to fix an oil leak, and I'm having him put in two shifter bushings while he's at it anyway. I think I paid $2.00 for the bushings at the dealer.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600