Agreed, pulling the rear differential mount, with a jack supporting the differential, should be enough to get that last little bit.

I've pulled the driveshaft on mine a dozen times but I can't remember the minor little tweaks I've used to do the job. They say memory is the 2nd thing to go with age, and I can't remember the 1st.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Ok sounds like good suggestions to try. The rain as promised, is here so it may be a day or so before I get back under it but I will keep folks posted for future reference.

Thanks,

Glenn

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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)

Or some random Memory that has zero importance to what you need to do or need function pops up out of no where.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Ok, as promised I will give you an update. It is together and running again. It took jacking the transmission up, but not dropping the differential to give me that last bit of clearance to get the rear part of the shaft into the differential.

On the road it is a lot quieter and smoother and gear changes are smoother with no clunks either. The old front disc looked fine as it apparently had been changed in the past. The rear looked to be the original disc, very hard rubber and several small radial cracks from the bolt holes. The center bearing sounded a tad rough, but the bearing mount was completely shot. Half the rubber holding the bearing in was gone.

Now, the only new issue I seem to have is a bit of a low pitched hum that seems to come from the rear end at speeds above 55 mph (but that could be because I had a bad front tire and I put it on the rear) but the sound is constant and only under power (coasting there is no hum).....

Anyway, that is it for now, thanks for all the help and advice,

Glenn

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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)

The loaded hum.
Classic sign of differential wear.
Have you drained the fluid?

It could be an axle hum, but it would be only on one side...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I changed out the fluid about a year and a half ago. Might not be a bad idea to do it again soon. Any suggestions on fluid type or weight to deal with the hum, or just stay with what is specified in the owners manual?

Glenn

__________________
2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)