I bought a 1981 240D back in the Fall. The day I bought it and drove it home, it had a bit of a high pitched whine at speeds over 80 KPH/50 MPH. It was parked all winter and on it's first drive it made more of a grinding sound at about 40 KPH then disappeared. The grinding went away by the next day but it routinely still makes a whining sound. Usually for the first minute or two of driving once I reach 40km to 80 km. It usually only lasts for about 10-20 seconds, the pitch gets higher and faster then it disappears, only to resurface the next morning. It is not related to engine RPM, seems related to drive line speed. I've jacked the car up and all the wheel bearings seem ok, no noticable play in wheels. I do notice a bit of vibration when doing between 80-90 KPH, no higher and no lower, usually only when accellerating uphill or with some sort of load and the vibration is much more prevalent when turning slightly to the right. The vibration feels like it's in the rear end. I've ahd rear wheel bearings go on anothre 240D, it doesn't seem the same.

Any advice on what to check? I am wondering if it's the centre carier bearing?? I do not feel any increased vibration if I put my hand on the driveshaft hump when it is doing it.

thanks.

Grab your driveshaft and check it for any play, also change your diff fluid, it could help with the whine. While you're under there you can check the flex discs for ANY cracking. You're on the right track for sure, you'll have to get under the car and check everything out though.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

I will be following this thread closely to see if I can get some info for the whine /vibe my 81 240 makes from 35 to 55 and then levels off. Also a pulsing growl at lowspeed as you let off the throttle.
New carrier bearing, flex discs look good fresh diff fluid.
Driveshaft was marked and reset correctly.
What does a worn pinion or pinion bearing sound like?

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

Maybe the whining is coming from the transmission if it's a manual. Check it's fluid level. Could be a separate issue from the vibration.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Thanks for the leads thus far. I guess I should have added a little more to my original post though. I have checked the flex discs they seem ok, I've seen much worse but I'll go check them again. I checked the driveshaft awhiel ago too and it doesn't seem to have any noticeable play. First thing I did when I got the car was change all the fluids, including dif and trans, it is a manual but it doesn't seem to matter which gear it is in, if I push in the clutch, throw it in neutral or whatever, noise is still there (although it doesn't usually last long. Just a quick whine increasing in pitch, then it's gone)

Fruitcakesa...I've always noticed these 240's thend to make a low growl when you let off the accelerator and still have the car in gear, especially at lower speeds and in reverse. I've had several 240D 4 spd and they all did it. I think it's normal??

I really hope it's not the dif. Is there a lot to changing/repairing them?? I've never touched one.