Axle / Rear end blew out (pic attached) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BIGRED · #1 12-09-2005, 09:21 PM

On our 1980 300TD which had a 83 turbo motor installed and more recently a 3.07 rear end put in, something let loose in the rear end. Unfortunately the car is in Granada Hills Ca (Valley outside L.A.) and I live not far from Yosemite, so in all about 300 miles away. My wife on 2 separate trips down took pictures of which I am not able to see what broke.

Attaching the picture hoping someone can see what snapped. I am hoping to either travel down with the parts and rescue it or call around for a price to fix it, once I know what it is.

Any help on this really would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Don

Benzcrusher · #2 12-09-2005, 09:30 PM

Hard to tell from that pic, what are the symptoms??

engatwork · #3 12-09-2005, 09:36 PM

That is a wagon ain't it. Looks like your hydraulic self leveling system sprung a leak. Tell her to check the level in the leveling system reservoir and if it is low then that is the problem. If she can get her hands on the right stuff tell her to do it and try to keep it up to level on the trip home.

BIGRED · #4 12-09-2005, 10:38 PM

If you think that picture is bad...should have seen the 40 others...most were of the good side or the exhaust covered in oil. She's a babe, just not mechanical.... if you know what I mean.

She said it made a lot of banging and became undrivable. Yes it is the wagon, but it isn't the rear suspension. My guess is the axle broke at the differential, however it might be the differential itself.

Thanks for the input...keep it coming.

Don

Hatterasguy · #5 12-09-2005, 10:42 PM

Is their a shop or dealer there where she can have it looked at? When stuff like that breaks on the road and the driver isn't able to fix it you are kind of at the mercy of the local shops.

The pic doesn't really show much other then fluid is leaking. I have never heard of one of these cars blowing the diff. But now an axle that is possible. My vote is for a broken axle.

#6 12-09-2005, 10:44 PM

It looks to me like one half shaft is no longer connected to the differential. I can't tell what's broken, but I doubt this is going to be a roadside repair.

JimmyL · #7 12-09-2005, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGRED

She said it made a lot of banging and became undrivable.
Don

Hey Don,
Define "undrivable". I'm assuming the half shaft broke somewhere, which if still driven from the 'diff' end would make quite the noise.
Keep us posted, and take some pics of the actual problem. Good luck. Too bad we don't have a forum member close. I'm sure any of us would be glad to help...

BIGRED · #8 12-10-2005, 12:08 AM

She is back home and we are trying to figure out the next step to take. To me it also looks like the axle came out of the differential, but the 64 dollar question is why and what damage that might have caused.

My only guess is that the axle joint / knuckle broke or bound up and when it broke it in someway popped the C-clip in the differential and the shaft came out of the. If it went a-whopping-around then I suppose the differential case might have had it as well.

Not comfy with a mechanic telling me what is wrong and what it will cost without being their....and if I was there I would fix it given the tools and parts.

As too another member looking at it....I would be grateful if someone that is in the area...did stick their head under there so I knew what broke and what needs to get fixed.

Thanks
Don

BIGRED · #9 12-10-2005, 11:18 AM

Looking at another axle I have....I am thinking that the picture shows the narrow / flatter portion of the can attached to the boot (closest to the differential). What I don't see is the larger portion... which may mean they ripped apart and the larger portion of the can might? have flown out from under the car.

Don

JimmyL · #10 12-10-2005, 11:44 AM

Maybe since you had a rear end change recently that it is just the c-clip that came off of the half shaft, and it is flopping in and out, intermittantly contacting the pinion gear. Would certainly make quite the noise....
I believe from the pic that the other smaller can is simply out of the site of the picture, given the direction and location it was snapped from.

#11 12-10-2005, 02:28 PM

Did the car start slowing down when the noise started? (ie...the open diff started spinning the "free axle"?

Might try to get some specifics from her. If she is going to be back down there, have her get in the car, start it up, and see if it drives under its own power without lots of popping and power exiting the troublesome axle.

Very odd...wish dad (heavy diesel mechanic) was nearby (he often works in cali) I'd have him swing by and tell you whats wrong...but he is in Alaska right now

Johnhef · #12 12-10-2005, 03:42 PM

suggestion for now is to rent a tow dolly and bring the car back home when you can mess with it if you don't want to take it to a local shop

#13 12-10-2005, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

suggestion for now is to rent a tow dolly and bring the car back home when you can mess with it if you don't want to take it to a local shop

But if the rear drivetrain is compromised..he will have to tow it rear on the trailer with the front wheels dragging behind.

With an adequet tow rig and a locked steering...I guess that would be okay.

300miles is quite some disitance...I towed a VW Cabriolet about 200 miles with my 300SD once

BIGRED · #14 12-10-2005, 05:05 PM

She said it was slowing as the banging was taking place. I might just play the odds, pack up tools and a new axle and head down to fix it. Another option might be to have it transported up to me, something I am going to look into.
Depends on my make-a-buck workload, there is that fine line that can get crossed in that it costs me more to fix it by taking on the mission of doing it my self.

Thanks for the input and thoughts on this.
Don

#15 12-10-2005, 05:11 PM

Your could always tow it with passenger in the wagon...if you have no other vehicles the SD would do okay (if it was not terribly hilly region).

But then again...I am crazy.