Just returned from a 70 mph drive and noticed no unusual noise, my good
neighbor, noticed the left rear wheel is tilted inward, in other words
the top of the wheel is tilted inward as the bottom is tilted outward by
a couple of degrees.
I jacked the car up and the wheel has no movement when I kicked the
top or sides, taking a quick peek underneath, it's raining in Boston,
saw no abnormals .....had the rear wheel bearings replaced about 6
months ago and just on big pot holes or angle approaches to the
driveway, would hear a slight tension sound coming from the rear
......Maybe it finally broke ...
Plan on taking a 400 mile trip this Friday, wear the tire a bit, but
am concern about causing additional sever damage... minor damage will
not bother me ....TIA

Bill
1981 300 TD

Couldn't that just be from the rear end of your car riding low or sagging?

__________________
"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

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I agree. Take a look at the opposite wheel. They are probably similar.

The lower the vehicle rides in the back, the higher the negative camber. Nothing much you can do about it unless you get the back end higher via the use of new suspension components and/or taller springs.

Some years ago I had an '82 240D......it somehow managed to develop a crack in the ...I can't remember the exact name of the part, But....the big "V" shaped steel piece that the Axel Shaft assembly passes thru.....the crack appeared just under and a bit inboard of where the wheel bearing rests....caused the rear wheel to can't inward at the top....just as you describe......

Please check closely, this could become dangerous.....and a real pain of a problem on a 400 mile trip.....

Luck to ya....
SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

The right wheel is vertical and shows no sign of tilting ....
You do remind me when I had about 800 lbs in the rear of my wagon, and the rear covers the top of the wheels a lot ...but can not recall any tilting
the height difference today of the two rear wheels are about 4 inches or so .... so the left rear wheel is sagging .....
Sounds like no big problem to drive 400 miles and avoid pot hoes and the like ....TIA

Bill

1981 300 TD

Sounds like a failed hydropneumatic shock on that side??

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Definitely. The left side is considerably lower than the right and the camber on the left side is significantly more negative.

It all fits.

Were the rear suspensions designed to tily like that so that the tires don't rub when loaded of traveling over undulating road conditions?

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RIP: 80 300SD
RIP: 79 450SEL
2002 E430 4matic (212,000km)
2002 ML500 'sport'

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all independent suspensions tilt as the springs are compressed, whether front or rear. this is so that when you corner, the compressed springs and tilted wheel cause the tire to keep perpindicular to the road for optimal traction.

in the early days of independent suspension this wasnt always true though. but that was back when most roads were dirt and tires werent much wider than a bicycle tire.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.