My 1983 380SL is making an intermittant, muffled, knocking noise that appears to be coming from the lower part of the engine. Is this most likely a rod bearing? Can those bearings be replaced without an engine pull?

pull valve covers and check the rails ...

if you need to get at lower end of engine I would pull it. My advice comes from working on 500 SEL so somewhat different but FWIW...

Good luck.

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dloveless

1984 500 SEL [131K]-
1991 GMC Sierra 4X4 XC [162K]- War Pony.
2004 Jeep Liberty Limited [8k]- wife's sled- Belle.

Highly unusual for a bearing to go out in a 116 or 117 engine unless someone has made a sacrifice to the oil Gods recently. By the way they rarely listen. What is the history on the car? You might have loose torque convertor bolts.

Peter

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