Last night, just before getting home, there arose a somewhat serious sounding belt whine emanating from my `87 300SDL, that seemed to occur as I was getting on the throttle.

This morning, steering is... not fluid. The steering feels normal for the first couple degrees of motion, but then quickly becomes rock hard. And then it loosens, briefly, and then becomes rock hard again, repeat until turn is complete. I immediately did the slowest biggest turn around known to man, and headed home.

While turning the wheel, dash indicators come on. The battery light, fuel low, and anti-lock light all fade in, and fade out; their brightness varying depending on how hard I'm cranking the wheel.

If I turn the wheel really slowly, nothing seems out of the ordinary. Motion continues, and no dash lights turn on.

Its rainy out today, and I didnt hear any sign of the belt whine while getting on the throttle that I was hearing last night.

Any ideas? My first guess would be a serpentine belt, but this seems like a rather elaborate series of issues. Anyone have other ideas on what it could be? I've moved recently, and havent yet found a mechanic I trust in the DC area that seems to know what to make of a Benz without spark plugs.

Last, my understanding is that the serpentine belt going in these vehicles is very very quickly fatal to the engine?

How are you for power steering fluid?

Multi-rib belts don't necessarily squeal, particularly the serrated kind like the Goodyear Gatorback. One of the pulleys might be seized dragging the belt. Remove the belt and try each pulley by hand to see if any are binding.

Do you have a proper Klima relay for the AC system?

Sixto
87 300D

the AC isnt charged, and the system remains in either off or "Efficiency" (no-AC) mode, excepting occasional defrost blasts when necessary.

i'll check the fluid, but it was fine 1000 miles ago.

good point on the multi-rib belts, hadnt considered that. now i really have no idea whats going on with this presently un-driveable car.

not sure about your engine, Ihad similar symptoms when my crank pully bolt came loose and it sheared the pins on the harmonic balancer. not sure how you would tell without verifying the timing marks havent moved. mine is a 300D so different engine so its just a point of reference

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

I was thinking failed crank pulley too. If indeed that is the case, I wouldn't drive it until fixed. If it's like the 617, you don't want to nose of the crank to be completely destroyed.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

1.Power Steering Anomalies
2.Alternator Difficulties

Only connection between the two is the drive belt system.

The Danger is: Loss of Water Pump Drive = Overheating.

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

the power steering levels were fine. i'm having the car put on a flatbed and taken to a shop today. thanks for the diagnosis all, anyone else want to chip in with one?