So I had this 1982 300SD checked out before I just bought it and went ahead with the sale but here's the list of what's wrong:
rear differential had metal remains in it, makes no noise or anything so I didn't pay to have it inspected further but...what can it be??$$
Everything else is minor. Motor rocks around a bit at idle and rpm gauge doesn't register till higher rpms, better some once warm. Runs strong though at 266,000 miles and tranny shifts fine. Drivers seat springbox is shot. Hey, $850, body pretty good, CA car.

web dude

Get the metal frags out of the diff as soon as possible. In the long shot it maybe left over from a previous nightmare someone had OR .... yours is pre-toast. I would get some Mobil 1 synthetic or Valvoline 80-w140 and put it in there. Try to use a magnet to fish inside to clean it out. Flushing the differential is really in order.

A tip, if you are doing it yourself, remove the filler bolt first, if you can't get that out to refill, don't bother removing the drain bolt.

Motor rockin can be bad motor mounts, tested easily when the motor is off, grab the engine and shake it. Or .... you might need to clean the injectors .... first try running a couple of Techron Fuel injector cleaner bottles through less than a full tank of fuel. If still clogged, try using Diesel Purge. Search this site for instructions. Also, the injection rack is know to have a little part that screws into it that is called a rack dampener.

Seat springs are best repaired with replacements, but if by feeling under the seat that they are OK then just replacing the cushion (between the springs and the seat cover) can make all the difference in the world.

Have fun, great cars, last a long time.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)