I thought I bought a nice 300TDT, paid alot for it, dealer maintained since new, all records, very nice body and paint, etc. I have driven it about 25 K so far and have changed/flushed all fluids, tuned everything, adjusted valves 2x, trans shifting, replaced all AC, etc. Car runs great, but everything was a mess before service, The MBZ dealer who maintained the car did not perform the work they stamped off in the service log, there is no way, fluids even nastier then some of the Ebay disaster TD's I have purchased! (I'll save the Ebay tales for another time, there pretty good!)
I changed the rear diff fluid when I first started driving it and have always felt some excessive backlash when shifting into gear. On my way home to VT from family vaca at Jersey shore last week, I noticed some nasty sounds from the back and discovered a recently broken inner cv boot. OK, so I bought a new axle. When I removed the diff cover (since I have the early non flange axles), I discovered that the diff is hammered, the carrier is worn so bad that the pin is very loose/worn and moves in a deep slot about an extra 1/2" and the pin was contacting the pinion gear! The oil level was fine. I pulled the diff last night and now the car is stuck in my shop till I can drive the 85 up from Mass, I forgot that it can not be rolled around with the diff out... Duh! ( transporting the 85 up here will be another challange, stories to come I'm sure).
I have another diff in an 85 and believe the ratio is the same 3:07 (thanks to the excellent ratio list posted on this excellent forum) The 3:07 seems to be a good compromise, I am on the highway alot and would love a taller gear, but have alot of long climbs. I just hope the diff in that car is OK.

Any one have diff problems like this? is it at all common? Has there ever been a locker or ltd slip avail for these?

I also am having alot of oil leaks, I use 15 40 Rotella and lucus every 3000. the oil leaks are winning, back of car gets a film, very frustrating. I am fixing them as I go, but the seals I need to replace are a ***** to do with the engine in the car. The oil sep drain check valve seems fine, not sure why these leaks have gotten progressivly worse. So This brings me to my next project: I would also like to pull the engine (after comp test) from the 85 and put it in mine, after resealing and replacing all the common stuff and doing some performance work, etc. The engine in this car runs great and is dry underneath, has 220K (mine has 211K).

Are there any advantages to the 85 motors over the 82? the turbo looks abit different and seems better, sounds a bit louder, feels stronger?

One last thing: I want to put my 240D 4spd behind the 85 motor and drop it in at one time. I scoured all the manual trans swap posts and have everthing I need (except I have not yet match balanced the 240 flywheel for the 5cyl) I was wondering if anyone has available the custom pilot bushing for sale so I dont ave to deal with making one? will the back of the crank be the same on the 82 as the 85 motor?

way to many questions, I know. I'll spread them out in the future or repost them individually.

Hard to find the time to do all this stuff on my 600+mile/wk daily driver, I have many other projects on hold since I am struggling keeping my daily driver in good shape, now I am getting an earful from the wife as well. How the hell do you guys do it?!?!?.


MarkP