W124 - Whine from rear....and a whine from me!

[jamie280e]

Hello All,

Just got myself a really nice 1990 260e Carat with full AMG kit - driving very smootly....However theres a couple of points I need to sort.

1) Brakes not all that great - Can I uprate the pads and discs and where should I get them from ?

2) I have a whine at the rear - The tyres on this car are cheap and do sound a bit road noisy but this noise is different. Slight whine from the rear - Goes on accelaration but sort of happens between there and coasting (does that make sense ?)
Are these cars known for this noise and is there anything I should check?

3) Burny smell - I also get a bit of a burny smell coming from somewhere thats noticeble when I get out of the car. Comes and goes a bit but I wondered if it could be anything to do with the whine !

Thanks all - Youre usually great so hope you can help me!

JAMIE

 

[grober]

Mercedes rear differentials of that vintage are known to whine a bit on the overrun but can continue to run for 1,000 s of miles without incident. However- first thing to check is the rear diff oil level. If its leaking badly oil may be thrown on to the exhaust to give you that burning smell. If you look under the car you should see plenty evidence of a major oil leak. Note they all leak a bit --its a question of how much.

 

[d w124]

Hi there Jamie and welcome to the forum.Some pic would be nice

 

[jamie280e]

Hi Graeme

Sounds like that might be the case indeed.
Is there an easy way for me to check the level or is it a case of getting it into the garage ?
Do you think putting it into a merc specialist would be the best option ?

Cheers

Jamie

 

[jamie280e]

and sorry - what does 'on the overun mean ?'
Ill try and get som epics on when cleaned up - I want to get the carpets and leather cleaned up first!

 

[EDZ649]

and sorry - what does 'on the overun mean ?'
Ill try and get som epics on when cleaned up - I want to get the carpets and leather cleaned up first!

Overun means when you take your foot off the gas and just coast

 

[grober]

On the differential there are 2 hex socket threaded plugs. The one underneath is for draining- the one half way up the side is a combined fill/level plug. On level ground open the diff level plug-you will need the right hex key for this. If oil starts to flow out-everything is fine. If not get a bit of stiff wire 2.5mm twin and earth positive wire with red insulation is good bend it into a curve and "dip" the diff oil level thro the level hole. If it's low up you need to top it up with the correct grade of Hypoid oil SAE 80W90 EP I think. e.g. Fuchs TITAN GEAR HYPOID 90 GEAR OIL Heavy Duty Automotive Transmission Oil Its normally sold in 1 litre containers- Try to get a squeezy container with a dispenser pipe which helps to push the fluid into the diff otherwise you need something to pump it in- Correct level is reached when the oil starts to overflow from the plug hole.

 

[kth286]

the burning smell could of course be a brake caliper sticking and the pad/s are against the disc, hence your lack of good brakes.

decide which end of the car it is by putting your nose closer to each brake after a run.

 

[Tonison]

Thanks for this tips, think I might have the same proplem. I took a bad knock from the rear years ago which I was told could have affected the diff a couple of years latter. Had it reconditioned and was ok until lately. It aso seems to restrict/slow down the car, requiring more power. Whinning seems to quiten down over 60m/h. Thought this was a rear wheel bearing problem, but there is no play and it recently passed MOT without a mention of this.