Rear clunking sound
12-01-2009, 06:48 PM
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1984 300 TD
Rear clunking sound
I own a 1984 300TD station wagon with 470.000 km of road experience.
Will write the whole story, some anamnesis behind this sound. It's a bloody mystery. Have searched the forum, but can't find anything relating to my problems.
The last couple of months i have had this weird clunking sound coming from the rear. It started in the middle of september and came after driving on the motorway for about 130 kilometers. The first 4-5 times i heard it, it always came after driving that distance in speeeds of 110-120 kph. I pulled over, stopped the vehicle for 10 seconds (not the engine, just stopping), and then when i started again, it was gone.
Then, after some time, the sound became terrible. Sounded like the insides were all wrong in the rear. Drove home carefully, looking at people who were thinking "wtf". Parked the car and took it to the repair shop the next day, no sound while driving to the shop, about 15 kilometers.
Said to the mechanic that it sounded like it came from the rear left wheel hub. They didn't find anything irregular, the handbrake things inside the hubs where all fine on the right side also.
He said that there was nothing wrong, drive the car and don't worry about it, he had tested it, and heard nothing himself.
Wanted to test this statement and took it out to the motorway, and now the sound comes after about 20 kilometers on the motorway in speeds around 110-120 kph and it stays even if i drive real slow. But if i park the car over night, and test it the next day just driving on city roads, no sound at all.
Have recorded a sound with my mobile from inside the car holding the phone in the luggage compartment. In the clip i drive about 60-70 kph shifting between accelerating and releasing the throttle.
http://www.metatee.net/300-sound/clunkingsound.mp3
Have checked the springs in the back if there are any cracks or if they are broken, can't see anything wrong there.
Have also rotated the wheels by hand to see if i can provoke it in a controlled enviroment, nothing.
Car problems is fun
Will write the whole story, some anamnesis behind this sound. It's a bloody mystery. Have searched the forum, but can't find anything relating to my problems.
The last couple of months i have had this weird clunking sound coming from the rear. It started in the middle of september and came after driving on the motorway for about 130 kilometers. The first 4-5 times i heard it, it always came after driving that distance in speeeds of 110-120 kph. I pulled over, stopped the vehicle for 10 seconds (not the engine, just stopping), and then when i started again, it was gone.
Then, after some time, the sound became terrible. Sounded like the insides were all wrong in the rear. Drove home carefully, looking at people who were thinking "wtf". Parked the car and took it to the repair shop the next day, no sound while driving to the shop, about 15 kilometers.
Said to the mechanic that it sounded like it came from the rear left wheel hub. They didn't find anything irregular, the handbrake things inside the hubs where all fine on the right side also.
He said that there was nothing wrong, drive the car and don't worry about it, he had tested it, and heard nothing himself.
Wanted to test this statement and took it out to the motorway, and now the sound comes after about 20 kilometers on the motorway in speeds around 110-120 kph and it stays even if i drive real slow. But if i park the car over night, and test it the next day just driving on city roads, no sound at all.
Have recorded a sound with my mobile from inside the car holding the phone in the luggage compartment. In the clip i drive about 60-70 kph shifting between accelerating and releasing the throttle.
http://www.metatee.net/300-sound/clunkingsound.mp3
Have checked the springs in the back if there are any cracks or if they are broken, can't see anything wrong there.
Have also rotated the wheels by hand to see if i can provoke it in a controlled enviroment, nothing.
Car problems is fun
Last edited by rotski; 12-01-2009 at 06:52 PM.
12-03-2009, 11:11 PM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yeah....change them both while you are there...you have to drain the pumpkin and remove the clips...make sure you use the correct thickness shim washers to adjust the lash...some of the older shim washers dish, so you will want to ensure they are flat on re-install...get 2 quarts of MB Hypoid oil...open the FILL plug before you pull the drain plug.
Wheel to axle bolts are two different sizes, and there are two different types of axles...you will want to check.
I would replace every bolt and washer (that's what I did a few years ago) to save future aggravation.
Wheel to axle bolts are two different sizes, and there are two different types of axles...you will want to check.
I would replace every bolt and washer (that's what I did a few years ago) to save future aggravation.
