Hey gang,

Last week we sold my wife's 300D. She's been driving my 240. Today she e-mailed me at work and said the car was dead.

This morning there was a hard 'clunk' when she put it in reverse. It also 'clunked' and shook when shifting from 1st to 2nd. She did not drive far (1-2 miles), and said it was worse on the drive home. She also said there was a pink, 'milk-shake' looking puddle under the engine before she started home.

I had her check the fluid level and it is just below the top dot on the dip-stick and there is nothing in the driveway now. I had her drive to the end of the street and back. She said the car was shaking like the wheels were about to come off! I had her check the wheels... bearings are tight and lug bolts are secure.

Does anyone have any idea what I should expect when I get home? Suggestions? Where should I start looking? Transmission problem? Or Rear-end? I am at a total loss... maybe because I am not home with the car...

Thanks for any suggestions,

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William
76 240D (W115) - 555K miles
78 300D (W123) - 200K+ miles -- SOLD

First things that come to my mind, are flex discs and driveshaft center support bearing. See what you can see under there. Good Luck
-Larry

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03/83 300D 184k
07/73 280 (sold)
'88 other 168k

Larry,
I believe you are right. I checked the entire front end and found nothing. I checked the tranny and it seems fine; fluid is perfect.

I drove the car again last night and the shake was horrible, but no grinding or 'failed parts' noise. I have always tested drive-shaft problems by trying the car in different gears to see if the shake is always at the same road-speed or RPM. The shake on this car starts before getting to 10mph, so regardless of gear I try, the tranny is always still in first before the shake starts.... it also shakes in reverse, but not as bad.

Tomorrow is the start of my weekend, and I am going to climb under and start exploratory surgery. My money is on the center support bearing! At least I hope so, because I have one in the garage. It has been making noise for the past few months, but I have been too lazy to replace it. I guess I am 'paying' for not keeping up with the maintenance like I should

I'll let you know what I find.