1982 300sd. Intermittent noise from right front of car. Best described as sounds like something rubbing on the tire tread, but nothing is. Speed related, comes and goes at different speeds and pitch changes, but not consistently. Not engine related. Sound is unchanged when popped into neutral. Does not appear to change while cornering. I removed and inspected the outer wheel bearings, found nothing. Did not inspect the inners. Bearings were not loose before removal. Ordering a new set of bearings anyway. Brakes are decent and noise is unchanged during braking. Swapped the tire with spare, no change.

Sorry for the messy post, it is very late. Any help is appreciated, I am stumped.

also see:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/335430-strange-noise-s-getting-worse.html

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1982 300sd, new project car to restore

It doesn't matter if you know what you're doing, as long as you look like you know what you're doing.

check that harmonic balancer is tight on crank, check pulley attached to it.

Have someone ride in the passenger seat and see if they hear it from the same direction. Noises can be very difficult to pinpoint as the sound travels.
Frequently the center bearing will sound to the driver as if it is coming from the right front area. Or you could ride in the passenger seat with someone else driving since you know the sound, and then if it appears to come from the right front, pursue that area some more, but if it now sounds like it is coming from the left or somewhere else look to the center of the car. Possibly the center bearing, a dry differential seal, the rubber mount for the center bearing or something along those lines. HTH and good luck.

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Retired
ASE Master Car / Light Truck
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"Without Fleet The Pride Doesn't Ride"

1983 300SD 609K + still going strong!
1970 Monte Carlo
1994 Ford F150

Wheel bearing sound like a good possibility.

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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.

I bet your motor mounts are weak, and you have powersteering belt contact with your oil cooler lines, or the driveshaft is contacting the exhaust...
check #1 IMMEDIATELY as it can kill your motor!

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

1982 300sd, Noise just started today when I left work. When making hard turns to the right, such as exiting the highway or turning a corner at speed, I get a grinding noise. Slight vibration can be felt in the steering wheel. I replaced the front wheel bearings this week as well as my engine mounts. When I got home I swapped the left front tire with the rear but the noise is still there. The bearings spin free and smooth, very little if any end play. No obvious movement in any of the suspension or steering linkage. No clunking or other noised going over bumps.

All this week I have been chasing a different noise that seemed to come from the right. It started suddenly when leaving work as well. Strange noise that sounded like something rubbing on the right tire. New wheel bearings made no difference. After changing my engine mounts the noise seemed to go away which made no sense to me as nothing was rubbing or making contact. that was two days ago.

Please help, I am really getting tired of throwing money at this car

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1982 300sd, new project car to restore

It doesn't matter if you know what you're doing, as long as you look like you know what you're doing.

any chance the rear swaybar links are broken?

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Slight vibration in the steering wheel may indicate a problem with the idler arm. If the idler arm assembly has developed corrosion inside, this may be a source of "groaning" and eventually a vibration from the right side.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )