300d grumbling and shaking a little under load at 20-23 mph
 

Hey guys, my 300d is running well and getting good mpg, but has a little issue I'm hoping isn't the harbinger of a trashed transmission about to give up. It grumbles and vibrates a little under load, but just at 20-23 mph. The car still pulls well through the whole rpm band in all gears, just with a little feedback. No slipping, and smooth shifts. Any ideas? Thanks.

No thoughts? Anyone? Anyone?

What have you checked so far?

Axle shafts? Flex Discs? Motor mOunts? Trans mounts? Tire Condition/Balance? Wheel Bearings?

Thanks for the ideas. Axle shafts are good, trans. mounts are a couple of years old, wheel bearings good, tires new. I do think motor mounts are in need of some attention--not real bad, but I have a little bit of idle vibration. I didn't realize that motor mounts could cause that type of symptom. I was scared that the trans. was on its way out.

Trashed driveshaft support bearing, maybe.
 

Never a problem on my w123 but I had the exact same symptom you describe on a w201. Bearing was completely gone to the point of destroying the carrier.

Parts were cheap but removong the driveshaft was not my idea of fun. Not too bad, though.

Carrier bearing, and best to get it done very soon, before it welds itself:rolleyes:

Carrier bearing? Better than trans. I suppose, but still doesn't sound good. If I get the car on a lift, is there any way to test it or to diagnose? Thanks.