Just bought this car that had been sitting for 4-6 months and, after replacing the center bearing and carrier which were bad, the car starts to get loud over 50 and gets louder the faster you go- It might have done that before, never had it up to speed before the repair. Also some vibration is present. The former owner ( quasi- used car dealer) had the rear vibration damper replaced prior to selling it. Now the question is would using 1 socket head bolt with the other 5 being normal hex bolts be enough to cause this? I checked the front/rear alignment marks and they are in the correct position.

Also the electrics are becoming scary. The brake pad wear light comes on sometimes and then the wiper starts on its own in intermittent mode. While the wiper is in motion the light goes off. Also Just today as I switched off the car after a horrible test drive, the radio stayed on. After several tries with the radio staying on, I hit the rear window defogger switch(don't ask me why) and the darn thing turned off and the antenna finally retracted. I'm thinking a/several poor ground connections. Does anyone think that is the right approach or have a better suggestion?

Thanks in advance

Jerry

Had the same problem with my 300E.. Usually drive shaft out of balance. There is actually a TSB on it.. When the Drive shaft is reassembled. It must go a certain way.. The service manual has the instructions, I can dig it up for you if you need it. The two shaft pieces go together a certain way and even the flex disks have an orientation.

Yes, the bolts will cause it.. Mercedes has little balancing nuts to balance the thing.

Sounds like a bad ground. There is a ground point behind the instrument cluster and one behind the center console on my w124.. Not sure on your car.

__________________
Bill

Backyard Shadetree Mechanic, 30 years running.

1987 300TD
1988 300E (sold, sniff)
1999 S320
1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Truck (Diesel)
2001 Ford Expedition
1988 Suzuki Samurai
On my list to buy: R129, for me, and a R107 for my wife.

I checked the alignment marks and they are correctly aligned per the Haynes book and it makes sense BTW. Guess I'll have to order a rear damper kit and see if that does the trick.
As to the electrical problem, I tightened the grounds behind the instrument cluster as my manual pointed there. Do Mercedes shops hire small children to do this kind of work? There is no room at all. I was going to remove the wires and sand-paper or wire brush all the ring connectors but with the severely limited space/access I opted for just loosening and tightening the nuts and will see if my problem is eliminated.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Jerry