Well ,Im going to go out on a limb and say a tire is bad ,a cheap tire can lose strength points internally by a belt letting go .Espicially with winter ice freezing ,thawwing ,repeat.I wouldnt be surprised if this was the issue.

Now that is an interesting thought, which never crossed my brain. Thanks!

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

IIRC, a bad belt will show up as a bulge on a tire. I don't believe it would go away at increasing temps/when warmed up.

Bad belt #1



Bad belt #2



Basically, the tire doesn't vibrate because the belt is somehow flying around in the tire, it vibrates because the busted belt creates a lump in the tire.


I'll sell you a brake booster line for 44k and ship it for free. That should fix the problem.

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

My money is still on the speedo cable. My 280E had an awful noise in the mornings from the cable and it didn't sound like other cars I have had with a sick speedo cable. Have you tried to get the car up to speed then put it in neutral? That may help narrow things down.

How about disconnecting the speedo cable and running without it to see whether or not that is it?

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Yes, I have coasted it in neutral at various speeds, and revved the motor, and it has no effect. It is dependent only on road speed (I have even shut down the motor while moving).

Your note on the speedo cable is very interesting. I will explore that further, much appreciated. If I am able, I will try disconnecting it.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

CV joints might act up too...if there were water in them.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Another note on the speedo cable is you can feel it, or at least I could, in the gauge cluster. I don't know if you will need to take any precautions on disconnecting the cable at the transmission end since it may leak fluid if the cable is disconnected there. Anyone know? Disconnecting it at the cluster end will not help since the cable will still be turning.

When I pulled the cable on my '84, no fluid spilled.

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Winmutt nailed it: center bearings go south often, and IMHO you cant check them in the early stages of failure without removal of the ds. I've spent a large amount of money learning this... up on blocks changes something-- maybe the wearing surfaces.

I was surprised no one else brought this up. Based the sound, I have no issue believing it, just that while I can't say where exactly the sound is coming from, I eliminated the rear of the car pretty early on.

Aha, okay. Think I will have another look there, and the Ujoint, after we check out the winter tires carefully when I pull them off. I cannot remember if this ever happened before I installed the winters, or not... may not have been cold enough prior.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Anyone want in on the over under on if he diagnoses before spring thaw?

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Careful. Based on weather patterns to date, I may be hearing this noise on April mornings.

We seem to be having trouble moving on from January, temperature wise.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

I had the same noise when it was cold. I thought is was the speedo cable but it turned out to be the center carrier bearing.

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1985 300D Turbo Diesel 268,000 miles
1998 F150 4x4
2004 Honda Van
1970 Olds 455

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...ine=1198976376

Wheel bearing noise will change in intensity if you go around a hard turn. If the sound isn't variable in that way, suspect the center bearing or u joint.