I am scheduled to be in the Allen Park/Dearborn, MI area for training at the end of this month. I plan to be in the area the evenings of October 29th to November 1st. What do I do while I am there?

Rent a car and come to my crib.

I will have my own wheels. I have not decided whether to take my 1985 Cally 300D or my old, rough, slow, but very faithful 1981 300D.

Case closed, anyone that has been here will tell you that I have the coldest beer and best steak in Michigan.

Take the faster car - you will need it on Michigan roads and freeways.
No...wait....take the car with the better suspension - you will need it for Michigan roads and freeways.
No....wait.....Rent a car instead of beating yours up on Michigan roads and freeways.

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Well, I made it to Dearborn Sunday evening, however, I was afraid that I would not make it. About 40-50 miles from Dearborn Inn I was traveling about 75-80mph on I94 (man my 1981 300D is pure glory). I happended to turn the radia down and I could hear a 'trememlo' squeal from the back axle. I lef\t up on the throttle and the noise stopped. As soon as I put the pdel back down it started up, again. I though I hope that I can make it to the hotel. Well, Afer exiting I94 the noise contiued. I has afraid that I was going to drop an axle shaft. After making a fairly sharp turn on to Rotunda Drive there was a quiet 'thump' and then the noise never returned the last few miles to the hotel.

Today I had only a two mile drive to my destiantion from the hotel. All was quiet there and back, but then the shaft joints hardly had time to warm up. I am very concerned about making it back on Friday.

I peeked under the car at the right side shaft as I was convinced that the right shaft is the one in question. I could not see the inner boot, but the outer boot looks OK.

I called my best friend who is a long time Merc head. He told me that he has seen shafts go bad even with a boot that is not split. He thinks that I can make it back, but did recommend driving slower and staying off of the interstate.

Any thoughts?? Anyone with an axle near the Dearborn Inn?

Hey! The fact that MB's survive Michigan elements/roads for 20+ years is a testament to their durability. You Florida folks have it way too easy with all your warm air and sunshine. Thats what I say. I've been there....but I prefer the rugged Michigan style of living.


As for the axle issue, I bet you can make it back no problem, they will go for quite a while before they actually fail. I remember reading of someone here on the forum that drove over 1000+ miles on the freeway with no boot left on one of the axles and made it home....it failed shortly after that though.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Send whunter a message. He might be available to help you out. There are numerous pick N Pull junkyards around with cheap axles. I did mine the night before driving down to Indianapolis a year back.

__________________
Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

I have two spare axles, but they are not with me and I am away from home without a garage, tools, jack, and the axles.

I used to live up there (St. Clair Shores). A few years ago, I visited my mom there....the road was so terrible (and I may have gotten soft after living here for quite some time now) that my neck started to hurt from having to keep it from bobbling around while I navigated over concrete slabs that where anything but level.
Last time I was up there, parts of I-75 and I-94 were vastly improved - until you got to Shook Rd. (Mt. Clemens) anyway...that's when I would peridically check with the rear view mirror for parts that might have fallen off of the car.
I gladly trade the "rugged" style of Michigan driving for the more economical Florida style - shocks last a long time here, and less time in the air from going over a elevated slab of concrete, keeps my car on the ground and ought to yield a fraction better mpg. (makes up for the extra A/C usage) When a car wears out, it is usually not because of rust, but because the engine wore out, or the A/C was too expensive to fix.

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Well, if you weren't tied up with mechanical problems, I'd say go check out the Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Awesome if you like historical/mechanical stuff..

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Two words: Windsor Ballet

__________________
1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

Send me a PM if you need any help.



I'm just up 94, (about 20mins. out) I'll be glad to help out with the work (and I have a driveway/tools/access to parts)


Downtown Detroit always has a lot going on. Check out whats happening at the fisher theater and where/what the DSO is playing.

__________________
-1983 VW Rabbit LS Diesel (5speed, VNT/Giles build)