Hey everyone I have a question about the differential in these cars ('83 240D) when it comes to leaves and snow. My wife always complains about the car sliding to the right and a strange behavior from the right rear wheel when she tries to park where leaves are only on one side of the car.

I also recently was just driving in only about 1" of snow and ice and every time I tried to slow down(or use the brakes in any way) it would begin sliding immediately and the rear end would kick out to the side with a strange vibration. If I took my foot off the brake I could manage to straighten it out, but it was almost impossible to stop at any signs or lights without a strange shuddering and sliding of the rear end. I've driven other RWD vehicles without this much of a problem in the snow and the odd behavior. I have to add that I even threw chains on the rear wheels with the same issue with slowing down. Is this normal behavior or is there a possibility of there being an issue with brakes or differential? I'd appreciate any input anyone has. Thanks

1983 240D - Automatic Transmission

Have you checked to make sure that you don't have a frozen\non functional brake caliper? Also, what sort of shape are your brakes in?

__________________
2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

I've replaced all of the brake lines and the calipers aren't more than a couple years old. But the rotors were angled inward towards the center of the wheel when I know they should be flat... Is it possible that one of the brakes is applying unevenly, thereby throwing off the differential?

Elaborate more on this

None the less check to make sure they are working properly

If one was dragging, then yes.

__________________
2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

When I bought the car it needed a bunch of work. All of the calipers needed to eventually be replaced, as they were seized up.

The rotor is much thicker at the edge than it is toward the center. Shouldn't it be the same thickness across the rotor? I'm not sure if this is because they were seized for so long from the last owner or not....

Did you replace the rotors when you replaced the calipers and brake lines (assuming you also flushed the system)?

The rotors should be even, yes. It's possible part of it (thick portion) is binding.

I experience shuddering when my brakes get wet (if I douse the wheels with lots of water for a thorough cleaning/de-greasing), but afterwards the water goes away and I can brake normally. It's possible the uneven surface allows water to get in between the pad and rotor, and cause the shuddering (and uneven distribution of power/braking, causing the sliding and spinning).

__________________
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

No, I probably should have just replaced the rotors as well. It seems like the problem is definitely related to the brake system, so I'll replace the rotors and get back on here if it fixes it. If anyone else has more ideas please feel free to chime in. The dialogue helps me think through the problem. Thanks again everyone, this place has helped me dozens of times in the past.