Hi guys - The '95 diesel has developed a weird stumble upon giving it gas that lasts for only a brief instance - and only under a heavy start like an uphill grade. It feels like it is coming from back end.

I had my indie look things over and he said everything looks tight. With hundreds of these cars out there can anyone share some insight? It has an LSD by the way if that matters.

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dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

I've had the center support bearing do that before and hesitate upon acceleration. its kind of like a skip right?

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

More like a 5 or 6 'beat' vibration. Almost feels like when your tires spin out and grab the pavement in a bouncy behavior. Except this car will never be able to do that. A school bus is faster than my car .

Also it takes off in first gear for the last few months. Shouldn't it start in 2nd gear unless I force it to first with a hot start?

__________________
dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

Still sounds like a center support bearing to me. A school bus shouldn't be faster. Ditch that ALDA. It's a 24v dual cam. it shouldn't be slow for a NA diesel. Also, check the Bowden cable. If it's out of adjustment the trans will shift funky aka early. should run 0-60 in 11 or 10 seconds I think. My 87 300D spun tires 1-2nd on dry pavement.

I think your transmission was always a first gear start btw.

__________________
Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

Most of these cars start in second, although a few do start in first. If you've suddenly switched to first gear starting, I would think a shorted kickdown switch would be the first thing to check. That would lock the solenoid.

Before you get too crazy with hard parts, use a tee fitting to plumb a vacuum gauge into the modulator line. It may be that you have an unusual vacuum condition.

Unless the '95 is different, the diesel tuned transmission should start in 1st.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Some do, some don't. You can't assume.

The diesels went to 1st gear start somewhere 1982-1983. The gas engines stayed 2nd gear start until sometime in the early 90s.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)