To make this short - I just replaced all rubber parts in rear end and shocks and springs. Raised car 1inch. Immediately noise started from rear. Took to dealer - reputable. Replaced rear bearings on driver's side. Noise lessened. Mechanic said pinion bearing making noise and left rear brake caliper piston sticking badly. I pulled rotors and they are deeply grooved, pads ok, parking brake shoes are shot. I planned to get caliper rebuild kit, rotors, pads pkng shoes, and new brake hoses.

Could this be mostly brake noise I am hearing or pinion noise? Did car riding too low for too long cause pinion to wear uneven and now that is raised - to start noise? Changed fluid - put in straight 90 weight. No difference in noise.

Which differentials will fit a W126 1982 300SD? I found a diff with 60k miles but the owner said his car was a 116 chasis 1980 300sd but the part # off diff he gave was 1233510101 and my dealer said part # is no good. He wanted $100 plus shipping of $150. It was on ebay, nobody bid on it. Nice guy but ...

Any suggestions? Thanks.

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

some here have raved about the results of putting a lower ratio diff in - one on a 82SD recently.

__________________
'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

Willrev,

About a third of the way down the page of this thread, http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=85165&highlight=2.47 a table should give you the info that you need on the various differentials that are compatible with your 82 300SD. Your car has the 3.07 ratio in it. I have an 84 300SD. I just converted it over to a 2.47 and couldn't be happier. Finding a differential should not be difficult. Evidently, they are pretty bulletproof and jillions were made for the various Mercedes models. Consequently, easy to find. If you get desperate try car-parts.com and input the necessary info. You may find something near you.
Good luck.

Tom

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1993 300TE
1984 300D
1984 300SD
1976 BMW R90S

I was not sure what years were applicable to my car. I will check the table you included in your post. I used the search but came up empty handed.

Table was helpful. Looks like Breckmann99 must have put a 2.88 diff or a 3.46 diff in his car. but the 3.46 wouldn't make sense because that would be worse than the 3.07

The table is a help, but Breckman99's original post is not clear of which gear ratio he ended up with.

I don't think a 2.47 diff would work in the diesel. It would be a slow dog off the line.

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

Willrev,

I put the 2.47 in my car because I primarily drive it on the highway and I am old and decrepit, so I don't really care too much about accelerating off the line. Several people here have stated that the 2.88 is the right ratio for them, but it seems to be more rare than the 2.47, which was offered in a bunch of models. Someone mentioned that it all depends on the type of driving that you do, and I couldn't agree more. But that 2.47 sure is quiet out on the highway.

Tom

__________________
1993 300TE
1984 300D
1984 300SD
1976 BMW R90S

I put the 2.47 in my 1981SD and have never looked back. Yes, for the first 10 feet it is slower off the line, but it makes all the gears taller so it stays in them longer.. I think overall it's just as good 0-60. the 617 makes the most torque at 2450 rpm, and that's where it sits most of the time with the 2.47
Read this thread.. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=115918

Good luck..