[Guest (MBNZ)]

I hope somebody out there can give me some advice. My 280TE W123 '84 makes a strange whirring/almost grinding noise when I back off the accelerator during a run - only happens in drive and not neutral. Any ideas? I recently changed the diff oil, no difference.

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Have you checked the half shafts

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Not yet, anything in particular to look for?

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Just check the boots for tears. Had a similar problem with mine and one boot was ripped.

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Was the replacement / repair a big job?

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

I had my local independent shop do the job. It only took a couple of hours but I had a problem with mine according to the tech but he was able to work around it.

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Thanks again for your help - I had a look under the car during my lunchbreak, the rubber boot seems to have come apart where it connects to the wheel hub, possibly where a cable tie was holding it. Looks like your diagnosis was spot on, hopefully it'll be a clean up and regrease job.

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Bootros,<br> I replaced the rear axles in my 240D. I found a pair in a junk-yard, for $150. They were virtually new. Anyway, it took longer to jack up the car and drain the diff., than it did to change the half-shafts!!. One bolt at the wheel; one circ-clip in the differential. Pull both ends to the middle, the axle falls out. It's literally that easy.<br> Good luck, John

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Re: 280TE disturbing noise-update

Cleaned up the drive shaft joint, regreased and connected the rubber boot securely this weekend. The noises haven't disappeared completely but are definitely 90% reduced - I guess replacement is the only cure. Thanks again for saving me a lot of head scratching and unnecessary costs.