Well, I removed the right axle and took it back to the shop that rebuilt it. It is fine, so now my guess is that the rear right wheel bearing is going bad and is making the growling/grinding noise. Could it be the center driveshaft bearing? The noise is relative (consistant) to wheel rotation.

thanks,
thebern

__________________
1982 240D 313,000 (4 speed)
1984 300CD 172,483
1985 German Shepherd Dog -Lacey- R.I.P.11/04/05

Hood Stars, Wrist Crowns and Obsession Dobs

thebern,

Yes, the center shaft support bearing goes bad and makes a typical bearing growling noise once the seals let the grease out and water and dirt in. If you get a view of the car from below, you can get an idea of the condition of the center support bearing assembly by grabbing the shaft and trying to move it around.

New, the bearing and its support bracket are kind of molded together in a rubber material. After a bit of time the rubber gets cracked and eventually the cracks join each other all the way around the bearing, and get deep enough to let the oil leak out. Once the lubrication is gone the bearing has a limited life. If you can move the shaft and separate the bearing bracket from the bearing, it is time to replace the bearing. Even if the bearing is not entirely shot, the sound isolation scheme of the design is shot and you will hear all kinds of bearing tones that will excite the car's structure.

If you can make the noise come and go by turning one direction or the other it is probably a wheel bearing. Good luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Since the benz is up on jack stands till monday, when I get the axle back, I will check the center bearing and do alot of other inspections, pulling, pushing, spinning, yanking and prying. I will post anything I find. If it is the center bearing, I may as well do the flex discs while i've got it apart. Right?


thanks again,

thebern

__________________
1982 240D 313,000 (4 speed)
1984 300CD 172,483
1985 German Shepherd Dog -Lacey- R.I.P.11/04/05

Hood Stars, Wrist Crowns and Obsession Dobs

Dude its your wheel bearing

center bearing cant cut this much noise
i had this grumbling sound on my 190 and im telling you i replaced the two wheel bearing at the rear and its as quiet as a sailboat now


Im pretty sure the noise you are getting is the kind that feels like your diff is falling apart?? if im right.. check your wheel bearings bud

I have that same noise, and I can't figure out what it is

I tried the wheel bearings and they seem fine, no slack when I push and pull and the wheel.


xp

Prior to this noise (5 months)I had the axle shafts rebuilt. I pulled them out and returned them for repair. He said he worked on them ,but I'm not so sure he did. Any way, I have had no noise of this problem since. It may have been dirt in there somewhere; damifino!

thebern

__________________
1982 240D 313,000 (4 speed)
1984 300CD 172,483
1985 German Shepherd Dog -Lacey- R.I.P.11/04/05

Hood Stars, Wrist Crowns and Obsession Dobs

xp190

My bearings didnt show any sign of slack of looseness at the wheel and when i took them out they still had some of the original grease in there but as soon as i put the new ones in and took the car for a ride the noise was gone. The noise could come from the axle shafts as well.. depending how much mileage you have on your car usually to find out if your axle shafts are good check if they still have the original clamps that hold the rubber boot if not, humidity and dirt got into your joint and it will cause excessive wear and probably noise.