W124 wagon question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

56speedster · #1 06-04-2013, 06:16 PM

I have a '95 e320 wagon with about 120k miles and was just told that
I need the differential bushings replaced. I was wondering if this could cause
a vibration at highway speeds as I've had the wheels balanced
and also had new Michelins put on the car. The Indy said
everything else on the underside is perfect..
Any thoughts???? As could this lead to the vibration I'm feeling???

Thanks for reading....

jbrianfoto · #2 06-04-2013, 06:39 PM

Well - one idea could be the axel shafts? Doesn't this car have a split rear end? When they start to go bad (the CV boot) they can vibrate. Or if one gets bent a little. Does it vibrate, or hum? I had a bad wheel bearing on the front of my 80 300TD that hummed loudly. Other places to look could also be the flex discs on the drive shaft. I am not super familar with this late of a W124, so I could be way off base.

Good luck !

56speedster · #3 06-04-2013, 06:56 PM

The car is at the Indy shop now. I don't fool
with it like I did my w123s.

dieseldiehard · #4 06-04-2013, 07:00 PM

was there any vibration prior to installing the new tires?
I believe the Indy meant lower control arm bushings, the differential is mounted on a rubber mount and I doubt it would cause a vibration.
Front wheel bearings can cause vibration especially if the hub nuts weren't tightened properly.

56speedster · #5 06-04-2013, 07:23 PM

Yeah there was a slight vibration but the car had bad worn
kumhos when I bought it and i thought that was the problem.
I had the tires mounted by 4 different shops after new tires put on.
They said everything on the underside was fine so I'm at a loss. Not sure what to do??

duxthe1 · #6 06-04-2013, 08:28 PM

Diff mounts cause a thunk when engaging drive and reverse and sometimes on harder up or downshifts. They do not cause a constant vibration. At what speeds does the vibration become noticable?

56speedster · #7 06-05-2013, 12:02 AM

Anywhere above 60 ESP at about 65-75

lee polowczuk · #8 06-05-2013, 07:49 AM

sounds like support bearing and flex disks

skinnison · #9 06-05-2013, 09:13 AM

Could be a ding in your wheel. Sometimes you can't even see them but can only feel them.

At any rate, I think it's not worth fixing with that mileage and you should sell it to me.

krjt · #10 06-05-2013, 11:14 AM

I have the almost identical issue with my TE. I thought it was the differential or wheel bearings. Since they aren't noisy at low speeds, I am leaning to the center bearing or the other rubber joints on the driveshaft.

56speedster · #11 06-05-2013, 11:26 AM

Thanks everyone. I will ask Indy to check the center bearing and flex discs.

94Wagenmeister · #12 06-05-2013, 01:39 PM

Yep. That gets my vote as well. How about a tire flaw? I don't mean anything that is visible, something internal like the bands or... Do you have a full size spare to swap on each side to see if it cancels the noise?

krjt · #13 06-07-2013, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krjt

I have the almost identical issue with my TE. I thought it was the differential or wheel bearings. Since they aren't noisy at low speeds, I am leaning to the center bearing or the other rubber joints on the driveshaft.

Just had my mechanic test drive and bench test on a hoist. His conclusion is not drive shaft or wheel bearing or cv. It was the dreaded differential. He based it partially on the on and off throttle difference in noise.

krjt · #14 06-17-2013, 12:30 AM

still not ready to put out the money to rebuild the diff.
I found a MB recommendation to turn the drive shaft 120 degree at the drive shaft to try to eliminate noise. This was referenced to 1989 and later models. I have a 88 TE, so am not sure if it applies.
Any one heard of this or tried it?

duxthe1 · #15 06-17-2013, 12:45 AM

If its a noise that changes from load to coast them moving the d/s isn't going to fix it. I wouldn't bother with a rebuild, just swap in a good used diff.