I've had the Coupe back 2 days then.....

[mercboiuk]

.....a rather loud noise is coming from the rear, o/s.

I pick up the car on Wednesday night after the major service and rust repair, used it on Thursday, then Friday evening (this evening) the noise begins.

I exit a junction on a main road, and crest the camber. In the slippy conditions, my o/s rear spins a little. This often happens on the unloaded rear in wet/greasy conditions, unless I go out VERY slowly - I'm sure fellow E320 drivers find the same thing!
Anyway, as the wheel spins, I notice an irregular vibration through the car, and the noise begins. Sounds metallic-like and occurs under load (ie. acceleration).

So at half 5, I call up my Merc Specialist. I ask him if he can check it out, so he said "bring it over, and I'll stay here". He didn't mind that I couldn't make it over until half 6, even though they close just after half 5!

I get to the garage after a VERY nervous 10 mile drive, listening to the noise getting louder. The mechanic test drives it, hears the noise and we both inspect the car while it's on the ramp. My o/s drive shaft has too much play in it So it could be a drive shaft or, worse case scenario, even the diff!
But here's the annoying part. Assuming this worst scenario, the diff is only 3 years - and 25,000 miles, old! I'm not the slowest of drivers, but I'm certainly not a hooligan behind the wheel.

He'll investigate it further on Monday, to find out exactly what is wrong. Depending on parts availability, it could be away another couple of weeks

Whatever needs fixing will be fixed, but I'm rather disappointed the diff could be knackered after such a short time - the original diff was replaced with this new item supplied by Mercedes! Now I'm sure a fair few of you will know, Mercedes have a 2 year warranty on parts supplied by them. If it is the diff, my mechanic has already said he'll try to fight to get some form of grace payment. What do you guys think to my chances of that one?

Still, after 3 initial weeks, I got one day of driving pleasure!

Darren

 

[Benzin]

Ooops sounds nasty, but keep us informed as I've noticed a slight whine in my W202 but only at certain low speeds, hoping it may be somthing as trivial as wheels bearings rather than diff.

 

[mercboiuk]

Ooops sounds nasty, but keep us informed as I've noticed a slight whine in my W202 but only at certain low speeds, hoping it may be somthing as trivial as wheels bearings rather than diff.

Will do.
Hopefully it won't be a diff, and something a bit cheaper. One thing I've noticed with my car - it never seems to be cheap!

Darren

 

[aka$h]

Annoying when you've been looking forward to having your car back and something like this happens. You should definatly look at MB for a contribution if it is the diff, but at 25k i doubt it is.

Did you get the email I sent last week?

 

[mercboiuk]

O/T Email

Yes thank you, Simal.

I received it OK, and have forwarded it straight to my mechanic, as well. I haven't had a chance to have a decent read of the pdf yet, though.
Thanks again, buddy!

Darren

 

[grober]

Doubt if its the diff unless its dry of oil? More likely to be Drive shaft U/J or wheel bearing?

 

[Adam230K]

Ooops sounds nasty, but keep us informed as I've noticed a slight whine in my W202 but only at certain low speeds, hoping it may be somthing as trivial as wheels bearings rather than diff.

Thats definately your diff. My old diff whined alot before it gave out, and the replacement i got (second hand for £150) does exactly the same thing, low pitched whine at low speeds.

Dont worry about it though, it takes a alot of miles for it to actually die.

 

[Adam230K]

.....a rather loud noise is coming from the rear, o/s.

I pick up the car on Wednesday night after the major service and rust repair, used it on Thursday, then Friday evening (this evening) the noise begins.

I exit a junction on a main road, and crest the camber. In the slippy conditions, my o/s rear spins a little. This often happens on the unloaded rear in wet/greasy conditions, unless I go out VERY slowly - I'm sure fellow E320 drivers find the same thing!
Anyway, as the wheel spins, I notice an irregular vibration through the car, and the noise begins. Sounds metallic-like and occurs under load (ie. acceleration).

So at half 5, I call up my Merc Specialist. I ask him if he can check it out, so he said "bring it over, and I'll stay here". He didn't mind that I couldn't make it over until half 6, even though they close just after half 5!

I get to the garage after a VERY nervous 10 mile drive, listening to the noise getting louder. The mechanic test drives it, hears the noise and we both inspect the car while it's on the ramp. My o/s drive shaft has too much play in it So it could be a drive shaft or, worse case scenario, even the diff!
But here's the annoying part. Assuming this worst scenario, the diff is only 3 years - and 25,000 miles, old! I'm not the slowest of drivers, but I'm certainly not a hooligan behind the wheel.

He'll investigate it further on Monday, to find out exactly what is wrong. Depending on parts availability, it could be away another couple of weeks

Whatever needs fixing will be fixed, but I'm rather disappointed the diff could be knackered after such a short time - the original diff was replaced with this new item supplied by Mercedes! Now I'm sure a fair few of you will know, Mercedes have a 2 year warranty on parts supplied by them. If it is the diff, my mechanic has already said he'll try to fight to get some form of grace payment. What do you guys think to my chances of that one?

Still, after 3 initial weeks, I got one day of driving pleasure!

Darren

That sounds likes its your diff too!.. On my one, i had a metal-to-metal grinding sound when it finally went 'boom' constantly, and it gets worse when u go faster!

 

[Roger Jones]

If it is the diff, that's horrific. I may be mistaken, but aren't shims involved in the correct configuration of a diff, and could that be the source of the problem? There is no way that a properly installed diff should fail so soon if properly lubricated.

 

[Lord Lucan MK]

bet thats the last thing you expected after all that work

 

[mercboiuk]

If it is the diff, that's horrific. I may be mistaken, but aren't shims involved in the correct configuration of a diff, and could that be the source of the problem? There is no way that a properly installed diff should fail so soon if properly lubricated.

Ever since I had the original diff replaced, I've requested diff oil change at every major service - that's about 3 times since replacement. Rather excess, but it should keep it all well lubed up.
I've done the same with me gearbox as well - 4 oil and filter changes in the 3 and a half years since the replacement. Yes, I'm very sad!

Darren

 

[kth286]

A diff will not go just like that.

Your thoughts should be trying to link the work that has just be done, to the situation you now find yourself.

What dismantling was done to car mechanical items to access the body components for refurbishment ??????????

Was any dismantling done to rear suspension/driveshaft area.

Are wheels put back in correct position - are they staggered ??????

etc etc etc

Bodyshop people are not generally good mechanically.

 

[jaymanek]

George Fraser cost me a new diff on the W123 after they forgot to fill it back up with oil!

 

[mercboiuk]

A diff will not go just like that.

Your thoughts should be trying to link the work that has just be done, to the situation you now find yourself.

What dismantling was done to car mechanical items to access the body components for refurbishment ??????????

Was any dismantling done to rear suspension/driveshaft area.

Are wheels put back in correct position - are they staggered ??????

etc etc etc

Bodyshop people are not generally good mechanically.

I've been thinking long and hard about it. Only the rear wheels were removed, but they are not staggered.
It was my Merc Specialist who did the rust repair, not a bodyshop.

3 years ago, my original diff did seem to break rather quickly, though. A thudding noise began, asked my garage to check it within a working week. They told me the drive shafts were too loose, and that they didn't expect to last long. I wish I heeded their warning - I told them I required the car that night. Driving through the centre of Norwich that night, accelerated gently up a hill, and then BANG! The diff went and my car limped back to the garage on the back of a low loader!

Darren

 

[mercboiuk]

George Fraser cost me a new diff on the W123 after they forgot to fill it back up with oil!

Did they pay for it, Jay? Or was a case where you couldn't prove GF had done wrong, forcing you into a position where you have to pay for it?

Darren

 

[mercboiuk]

Update - FINALLY!

Sorry guys! I've just realised that I never updated this!

I picked my car up on Christmas Eve morning.

The problem was finally diagnosed as the o/s Drive shaft. After consulting me, my Merc Specialist sourced a second hand item from an MB breakers for £250 inc. VAT.
They priced a new one from MB, and it would cost over £650 + VAT!

So it was much better than a diff, and the car has been running fine, ever since

Darren

 

[jaymanek]

Did they pay for it, Jay? Or was a case where you couldn't prove GF had done wrong, forcing you into a position where you have to pay for it?

Darren

Sorry never saw the question...

George Fraser basically used the "20 year old car" get out clause.. could have gone at any time.

I found a replacement and fitted it myself... very annoying but did the job myself and changed mounts etc while i was there...

 

[Dieselman]

mercboiuk, what actually broke the driveshaft or the cv joint.?