1995 E320 Wagon, 137K

My wagon has a very distinct noise present when driving. Its coming from the rear of the vehicle which leads me to believe it’s the differential…mainly because there aren’t any other components that I now of back there big enough to created a noise that loud (wheel bearings?)

The sound is loud and obvious. I sounds like bad tires, or you know then some jacked up jeep on mudders drives by. Just like that, kind of a low/deep whine or drone. So I replaced my dead 215/60/15 Goodyear Response Edges with brand new 205/60/15 Toyo Versados (whose selling point is quiet ride “technology”). I thought for sure that was the problem. I was wrong. Sound is still present. So it’s not the tires.

The sound also has strange characteristics. It’s not present until 25mph. then is “clicks On” and remains until I come to a stop then it starts up again. Its presence is also related to speed. As I slow down, it slows down. The most puzzling aspect of it all is the following. When driving at speed, say 45 mph and I take a long curve, like an off ramp, the sound will “turn off.” That is to say, when looking at the steering wheel, if a turn requires me to turn the wheel from 12 o’clock to 11 o’clock the sound disappears. The instant I return to center *BAM* the noise is back. Its borderline comical. I’d laugh if I wasn’t about to go insane from the drone.

I have not changed the diff fluid. I suppose any retailer should have mobile 1 syn gear fluid. And the dealership the diff gasket (didn’t see it on Fastlane). What’s the procedure for changing the fluid?

The car has ASR as well as the “snow chain mode,” not if sure those are related to this issue.

Do you have any idea on what it could be or what actions I should take?