Hey guys.

First time on a forum, first time with a diesel, first time with a RWD and english is not my native language.

I recently bought a nice 1984 300D turbo. There is a clicking sound coming from the front left when I turn right, and sometimes when I brake.

I would have guessed a CV axle on a FWD but since it is a RWD, and that I can't find that part in the store, it probably has a different name.

So:
1- Do you think my diagnostic is correct? (I am a begginer mechanic)
2- What in God's name is that part called?

Thanks for the help!

if you get under the car and poke around it may be quite obvious what is loose; that's what i'd try anyway. good luck!

__________________
'77 240D, 504H, OM617.952, etc.

Do you mean the halfshafts? Item #5 in this picture?

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

No CV joints or axles of any sort on the front of these.

Does it just click once per turn? Or more like "click click click click" as long as your are turning?

__________________
1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

He is talking about the noise coming from the front however. He said on the FWD cars he is used to this would be a CV joint.

__________________
1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

Sounds like an outer wheel bearing but, of course, that's a long-distance diagnosis so I have little confidence.

M-B guys - Is my Haynes correct in that these are just tapered roller bearings? If so you can just go online (if you don't have a manual) and look up the process. If you're getting a clicking noise it might be time for a new bearing and race.

Non-FWD front ends are very simple. Some of the newer ones (like my '02 Dodge pickup) used a sealed bearing assembly and you just buy the whole hub assembly and toss it on. The older style like yours uses an inner and an outer bearing and matching races, 1 outer and 1 inner. The outer bearing will come out in your hand when you remove the retaining nut (visible from the outside once you remove the dust cover) and the inner bearing will come out when you pop out the inner grease seal (REPLACE THAT SEAL!!). You'll have to drive the races out - the inner from the outside and the outer from the inside. Use a long punch and patience.

The inexpensive way to get these is:
A) Order them up from Pelican
B) Take the old ones to your local bearing house and get new ones based on the numbers stamped on the old ones. They can cross-reference them in their catalog.

Either way, there's no sense in paying dealer prices for this stuff. M-B doesn't make their own bearings and they source from someone - Timken, NSK, who knows.

Dan

A lot of fast high pitched clicks.

Thanks mate.

Duh doh d'oh.

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

And a BFH. 5lb or more.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

so, the noise is ONLY WHEN TURNING?

how does the wheel sound when driving straight? is it only when turning one way or the other?

__________________
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!

That's why I guessed the front wheel bearings. He didn't mention any noise when going straight so I assumed (yeah, I know) that it was quiet.

Dan

Yup, no noise when going straight. Only when turning right, not when turning left. That happens about every turn. It sometimes happens when braking, but not all the time.

Thank you all for your input on this. At the price of a bearing, I'll give it a shot!

I would check the adjustment of the locknut on the wheel hub spindle.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Yes, bearing re-pack and readjustment with the spindle nut is standard maintenance.

At this point, though, if the bearing is already making noise, it's probably shot. And cheap enough to replace them - and the seals.

__________________
'83 300 SD
'68 Triumph TR 250 - The only car I ever loved more than the Mercedes; who needs electricity, anyway? - Damn, why did I sell it?!
'59 Jaguar 3.4 'Le Chat Noir' - Damn, why did I sell it?!

It's difficult to make predictions, especially about the future.
- Niels Bohr