85 300SD Sounds like wheel bearing noise but I replaced both and no change in noise. Also does not change with load - swerving side to side- like previous wheel bearing problem on the 85 380SE. Sound seems to be from front, not center, but I just found out about the driveshaft bearing. Could that be it?

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85 300 SD ~ 115K
82 500 SEC Euro ??K
78 450SL 164K

It would seem if it's the driveshaft bearing it would emanate from the middle of the car. Inspect the drive belts, good luck.

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83 SD

84 CD

It is not engine speed related. It's the same noise whether I'm speeding up, slowing down, turning, coasting, etc. It does increase and decrease with road speed and sounds like wheel bearing noise on other cars.

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85 300 SD ~ 115K
82 500 SEC Euro ??K
78 450SL 164K

What do you mean by "wheel bearing noise"? Maybe if we had a more specific definition we could help you isolate the possibilities. Popping, rumbling on even or uneven surfaces, maybe only in turns?

When you replaced the bearings, did you use a dial indicator to set the tightness of the spindle nut?

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Driveshaft bearing support usually goes bad first b4 the bearing. In which case you would feel vibration during acceleration.

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the sooner you start... the sooner you'll get done If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. Its always simpler to tell the truth...
2007 Honda Accord EX
2007 Honda Accord SE V6
96 C220
97 Explorer - Found Another Home
2000 Honda Accord V6 - Found Another Home
85 300D - Found Another Home
84 300D - Found Another Home
80 300TD - Found Another Home
Previous cars:
96 Caravan
87 Camry
84 Cressida
82 Vanagon
80 Fiesta
78 Nova
Ford Cortina
Opel Kadet
68 Kombi
Contessa

need more info. about the noise...kind of noise, where does it come from, is it related to ground speed, etc...

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1984 300TD Wagon, 407,800 mi (current daily driver)
1985 300DT Sedan, 330,000 mi (gone to that great autobahn in the sky)

Already stated.

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85 300 SD ~ 115K
82 500 SEC Euro ??K
78 450SL 164K

Lots of detail as to specific sound is what is needed for someone to help...I can't hear it, I can only go by what you describe....not that "it sounds like a wheel bearing"...that could be a number of sounds....is it grinding, rubbing, a "yee yee yee", a squeal, etc. etc.. Need more info!

Mark

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1984 300TD Wagon, 407,800 mi (current daily driver)
1985 300DT Sedan, 330,000 mi (gone to that great autobahn in the sky)

Thanks for that info. No vibration.

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85 300 SD ~ 115K
82 500 SEC Euro ??K
78 450SL 164K

I mean the noise a wheel bearing makes when it is going bad - anyone who has had one go bad knows the sound. I stated it is on acc and decell and in turns. I did not say it but it does not depend on road surface.


I used the same method as when I did my 380SE about 4 years ago which is still OK, the american way of tightening snug then loosen and finger tight. No gage.

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85 300 SD ~ 115K
82 500 SEC Euro ??K
78 450SL 164K

Tightening snug may not get the tolerance as indicated by a dial guage. Your bearings could be too loose.

This first time I replaced the bearings on my MB, I tightened the nut until I could not spin the hub very easily. Then backed the nut off 1/3 of a turn, then using a piece of wood as a protector between the spindle and hammer, whacked the spindle a good one. I was then able to spin the hub easily.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

99 W210 E300 Turbo Diesel, chipped, DPF/Converter Delete. Still needs EGR Delete, 232K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Gone and still missed...1982 w123 300D, 1991 w124 300D

The only "noise" I have ever heard when a front wheel bearing went out was the rubbing of the disc against the calipers. This would go away temporarily if the brakes were applied for a moment. If there is too much play, by misadjustment, then the chances of hearing the same noise are likely.

If one, or more, of the brake calipers are hanging up it would generate a similar noise.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Bad wheel bearings can make a number of noises from clunking to a screetch to metal grinding to vibration. Elaborating will help pinpoint the source.

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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

At times I've had rusty brakes fool me into thinking I had bad bearings.

I've taken apart and analyzed hundreds of automotive wheel bearings that have been returned for warranty. The most common customer narrative from the dealer paperwork shows the customer - and this is a summary of my notes - describes the bad wheel bearing noise as a growling, grinding, howling, roaring, humming, or whine, most noticeable at 30-50 mph.