How did you come to the suspicion that you have a bad bearing? noises?

For a long time I thought I had a bad bearing back there; just kept ignoring it hoping it would be fine for long enough. The noise was a rhythmic tapping at different speeds. drove me frkn nuts waiting for that wheel to fly off doing 80 on the highway.

wheel had a perceivable amount of play, nothing worth repairing.

Finally, I was down there adjusting the ride height and decided to check all the parts for play.

... axle shaft. they wear out and the shaft will bounce back and forth between the CV ends. The rubber boots on each end act as the 'spring' sending it from side to side.

changed the shafts, no more noise. well, until my friend crashed it into a double bed gravel truck. that was probably pretty noise.

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At speeds in excess of 55-60mph I notice a random and intermittent vibration to the car. It'll be smooth as butter on the highway and then starts acting like a wheel is slightly out of balance- increase shake is visible in the steering wheel- no road changes are noticeable. Unsure what sets it off. It's intermittent and I hear no noises.

Then later, I was working on moving apartments and I was talking to a buddy about the car and gave it a loving push on the rear passenger tire with my foot and I swear I felt it move and possibly rubbing on something. Upon further inspection is seemed like the wheel was at an abnormal angle (toe in). It seemed like it had some play in it, too. (Car was aligned with new tires maybe 1.5 years ago.)

I thought all of these signs pointed to a bad bearing so went to check for play... but then didn't find what I was looking for!

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Greg
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85' 300TD
03' Honda S2000

That sucks. Doesn't seem like it would be the target for your everyday car thief. The everyday car thief probably wouldn't know enough to get it started in cold weather. Are you sure it wasn't towed? Do you know if it needed any parts? If so, perhaps there is a way of checking parts suppliers to see if anyone bought the part in the vicinity recently.

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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

Here's hoping it gets recovered soon before it gets stripped down for part then left in the woods .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Thanks and yes hopefully it gets found =(

The police have already called several tow/impound places so far with no luck.

I've searched CL, ebay and local classifieds. Will begin calling more tow and impound places and junk yards.

Cheers

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Greg
__________________________
85' 300TD
03' Honda S2000

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Greg
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85' 300TD
03' Honda S2000

Greg ;

Not to put too fine a point on it but expecting the cops to find it in an impound yard is time wasted ~ YOU need to go drive around to every tow yard you can find and peek over the fence ~ don't waste time calling them nor asking when you get there, just look.....

BT, DT and found the ' missing ' vehicle more than once .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Sorry to hear "STOLEN"! You did a lot of work to that wagon. Did you check with the parking facility if there are video surveliance footages? Do you have theft insurance coverage?

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 167,870 July 2025
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Supposedly the police will review the footage, I will be inquiring about that more as time goes on. Insurance called today as well and I am covered to some extent if the vehicle isn't found in 14 days - which is at least some relief this won't be a total loss.

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Greg
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85' 300TD
03' Honda S2000

It's always a total loss when a member of your Family goes missing.....(sound of weeping here) .

I'm lucky and have only had a few go missing over the decades .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

^

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Greg
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85' 300TD
03' Honda S2000

Holy Moly! I just read your entire saga and was so excited to see the next repair/fix and I now am wailing and gnashing my teeth for you !!!

I hope you catch your car thief and recover your baby!

Kyle

Narrowing down the search parameters would be helpful. I'd say it's likely a local and not likely someone from an upper class neighborhood. So once you've called the tow companies and viewed the impound lots, a drive thru the likely neighborhoods within a 10 mile radius or something like that looking for other models of Mercedes diesels in the driveway might yield some results. You may also look for anyone selling any old Mercedes diesel parts or cars and drive by their house. If you have drive thru liquor stores in your area, showing the picture to the clerks might also work.

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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

Indeed! I'm still working on visiting Tow places and drove by several of the "shady" local mechanics shops as well just in case. I've got an ad on Craigslist as well and 55+ local shares on Facebook so hoping to employ as many eyes as possible out there looking. Have some friends that live nearby where it happened too that are on the lookout.

Will keep y'all posted on any developments.

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Greg
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85' 300TD
03' Honda S2000

Are there any community colleges or technical colleges with diesel programs in the vicinity. Might to be worth checking is a student has shown up with a new TD or just driving thru the parking lot while classes are in session.

__________________
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