Not wanting to be one to disappear from the forum for a couple of weeks, only to re-appear with some sort of lame observation, I thought I would delight you with the story of how I almost died last night.

On the way home from work, I slowed to take a right hand turn. As I accelerated out of the turn, I heard a loud BANG from the rear end. The car dropped a few inches and then ground (literally!) to a halt.

After getting out and inspecting the situation, I had discovered that my rear differential had COME UNBOLTED FROM THE FRAME and was now dragging on the ground!!!!

What makes this so friggin' scary is that for some reason I decided NOT to take the interstate home at the last second. I was about to get on I-10, when for some inexplicable reason I decided to take the local roads home. It really was a last second decision, almost like fate intervening on my behalf. If this thing had let loose at 70+ MPH, I'm not sure I would be sitting here today.

Check out the picture. Gotta be worth at least 1000 words, if not $1000. Has anybody ever heard of this happening? I know one thing's for sure, I will be inspecting every nut and bolt under there religiously from now on.

So, I had to sit in the middle of the road for about 30 minutes with a nice Deputy Sheriff before the tow truck came. Then I got it towed to my indie. I put in a call to MB to "See what they have to say about all this". I won't hold my breath.

Thoughts?

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-tp


1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS
1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station
1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition