Just a follow-up. I had the car towed to my indie mechanic who has worked on this car off and on for a couple of years now. Initially, I understood that he repacked bearings in the rear, and replaced a set of completely worn brake pads. Did some lube as well. Car was quiet for a day, and then within 100 miles, noisy again. Starts out with a quiet and occasional klank and then over the next few days gets louder and louder until heads on the street turn -- sounds like some african rhythms.

OK, so I take it back. This time he puts in a new bearing kit and for whatever reason says that he has to mess with the axle a good bit and put in some new gear oil. Again, quiet for some miles and now it is getting louder again.

My take is that he's avoiding replacing the axle. So far I've shelled out a bit over $500, and the noise is still with me. I guess I would've rather just had the axle replaced. I actually think it is a good shop and they were trying to save time/money. For now, this MB is going to take a time out in my driveway for a while, and I'll run the TDI for a bit.

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1982 300D, anthracite grey, 260k miles, Greasecar
1999 E300D, black, 160k miles, Greasecar
2010 Honda Insight Hybrid
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