Mercedes W124 E300D estate - progress, or not...
Discussion
Good point. I'll try my local dealer, although I suspect they won't be able to lay their hands on them. Still, the harness was the big showstopper - I'll be more confident once I actually have it here.
Bristol sounds like a plan. If you can let me know what day, I'll look to take some time off. Everything I can see on the diff points to it being from an E300 diesel saloon.
Bristol sounds like a plan. If you can let me know what day, I'll look to take some time off. Everything I can see on the diff points to it being from an E300 diesel saloon.
r129sl has, once again, proven to be a titivation instigator.
I've been to my local MB dealership this morning. Both my needed bracket and the coding plug are NLA from them.
I asked for a price on the rear side window seals, as at least the passenger side seal needs doing, and they were a surprisingly good price so I've ordered them. £260ish all in for the two big seals plus a couple of other random seal bits for the same area.
I've been to my local MB dealership this morning. Both my needed bracket and the coding plug are NLA from them.
I asked for a price on the rear side window seals, as at least the passenger side seal needs doing, and they were a surprisingly good price so I've ordered them. £260ish all in for the two big seals plus a couple of other random seal bits for the same area.
Northbrook said:
Same dealer as me!
I prefer to visit rather than call or email. I get a better response, even with the driving time.
Totally agree, Paul there is always really helpful.... as I strolled in with my Sacco panel to determine the mounting clips I needed it drew a small crowd.I prefer to visit rather than call or email. I get a better response, even with the driving time.
Hi, great thread. Not sure if you have cured your transmission whine, noise, vibration, hum? And probably a long shot, but incorrect tightening of the propshaft spline locking nut can cause all sorts of noises. It is even mentioned in the MB service manual. Should be 30-40NM.
As I say, a long shot. But worth checking
As I say, a long shot. But worth checking
Ha - you get post 606 
. Thanks for the suggestion - I'll pass it along.
Funny you should mention my car. It's been with a specialist for a few months, and they've been overrun so it's been a while. I happened to call them yesterday, as it happens. I didn't realise I hadn't mentioned it on this thread - probably because I was expecting to be able to provide an update a little sooner...
So. They've changed the diff (new mounts) and the propshaft centre bearing (again), and the noise remained. We talked about what it might be - apparently the noise goes when the car is on a lift, which implies that it's something to do with the angle of something when it's weighted vs unweighted. I think that was when we decided to go down the centre bearing route.
Anyway, the noise is diminished (I'm told) but still present. Next culprit is rear wheel bearings, which will be changed next Friday. We'll then see where things are after that.
. Thanks for the suggestion - I'll pass it along. Funny you should mention my car. It's been with a specialist for a few months, and they've been overrun so it's been a while. I happened to call them yesterday, as it happens. I didn't realise I hadn't mentioned it on this thread - probably because I was expecting to be able to provide an update a little sooner...
So. They've changed the diff (new mounts) and the propshaft centre bearing (again), and the noise remained. We talked about what it might be - apparently the noise goes when the car is on a lift, which implies that it's something to do with the angle of something when it's weighted vs unweighted. I think that was when we decided to go down the centre bearing route.
Anyway, the noise is diminished (I'm told) but still present. Next culprit is rear wheel bearings, which will be changed next Friday. We'll then see where things are after that.
ps
Just walked down to the shed to double check. Ours is just undergoing a general overhaul (223,000m) including the propshaft. I would think yours is a similar job to access. Exhaust off, heat shield off, nut is then visible near the centre bearing. Ours needs a 46mm crows foot spanner to fit, parking brake stops the shart turning while you tighten. I think the only difference with 4Matic is the slightly shorter front section of the shaft due to the transfer box.
But as I say, a long shot.
Just walked down to the shed to double check. Ours is just undergoing a general overhaul (223,000m) including the propshaft. I would think yours is a similar job to access. Exhaust off, heat shield off, nut is then visible near the centre bearing. Ours needs a 46mm crows foot spanner to fit, parking brake stops the shart turning while you tighten. I think the only difference with 4Matic is the slightly shorter front section of the shaft due to the transfer box.
But as I say, a long shot.
Oh, and the cruise control wiring harness that I'd ordered didn't show up, of course. I do wonder why a company would send something with no tracking details, make me wait a couple of months until the arrival date has been and gone, then immediately refund me when I get in touch. I'm sure it's nothing whatsoever to do with any kind of creative bookkeeping or washing of funds.
But I have bought a tow bar.
Oh, and I bodged the exhaust rubbers with cable ties the day before it went in - I realised the O rubbers were in very poor shape, and one had given up completely. Partly explains the low-hanging exhaust, although the probably-wrong rear springs (which may be being changed) may have something to do with that.
Thanks for the tips, 4Matic. Got any photos of your car?
Oh, and I bodged the exhaust rubbers with cable ties the day before it went in - I realised the O rubbers were in very poor shape, and one had given up completely. Partly explains the low-hanging exhaust, although the probably-wrong rear springs (which may be being changed) may have something to do with that.
Thanks for the tips, 4Matic. Got any photos of your car?
I will ask a teenager to post a pic. I am about 55% mechanical engineer, 44% electrical engineer and probably less than 1% computer engineer. Hence i just like to read stuff on Piston Heads.
Back to the noise. Reading back it all seems to have originated when you changed the centre bearing.....! I always go back to basics when trying to solve things as problems are very often have simple causes. And unless i have missed something started at the ime of the work?!
Did anyone check the centering bushes in the propshaft?, are the flex discs alright and put back in the right place?, (there are flex and rigid types and some cars also have a vibration damper) maybe check the parts diagram. Also Engine and gearbox mounts can degrade, when I changed my engine mounts recently the exhaust side one was close to 40mm lower than the new one. As you can imagine, this changes the drive angles consierably. Is the UJ fine on the propshaft, (loose, stiff or notchey?)?
Wheel bearings almost always just drone constantly, low pitch at low speed, higher at high and often quieten when loaded when turning corners. Also they rarely both fail together.
Anyway, just a few ideas
Back to the noise. Reading back it all seems to have originated when you changed the centre bearing.....! I always go back to basics when trying to solve things as problems are very often have simple causes. And unless i have missed something started at the ime of the work?!
Did anyone check the centering bushes in the propshaft?, are the flex discs alright and put back in the right place?, (there are flex and rigid types and some cars also have a vibration damper) maybe check the parts diagram. Also Engine and gearbox mounts can degrade, when I changed my engine mounts recently the exhaust side one was close to 40mm lower than the new one. As you can imagine, this changes the drive angles consierably. Is the UJ fine on the propshaft, (loose, stiff or notchey?)?
Wheel bearings almost always just drone constantly, low pitch at low speed, higher at high and often quieten when loaded when turning corners. Also they rarely both fail together.
Anyway, just a few ideas
Northbrook said:
But I have bought a tow bar.
Oh, and I bodged the exhaust rubbers with cable ties the day before it went in - I realised the O rubbers were in very poor shape, and one had given up completely. Partly explains the low-hanging exhaust, although the probably-wrong rear springs (which may be being changed) may have something to do with that.
Thanks for the tips, 4Matic. Got any photos of your car?
Oh, and I bodged the exhaust rubbers with cable ties the day before it went in - I realised the O rubbers were in very poor shape, and one had given up completely. Partly explains the low-hanging exhaust, although the probably-wrong rear springs (which may be being changed) may have something to do with that.
Thanks for the tips, 4Matic. Got any photos of your car?
Good suggestions, both, and I like the green on the S124.
When the propshaft centre bearing was done, which was nearly two years ago now, I supplied one new flex disk for the rear. Meyle, I think. Bearing and holder was Febi, I think. It's possible that there was some unusual assembly requirement that my Man didn't know/do. I think it's also possible that the act of disturbing the running gear after many years may have hastened something's demise. Gearbox mounts and front flex disk were changed (or, at least, were supplied) when the box was changed....whenever that was. I do have replacement engine mounts.
As a quick aside, I trust my Man to do the agreed work - he's kinda a family friend and I have no reasons to think that the result is anything but happenstance or an unusual requirement.
It's no bad thing that the rear wheel bearings get done. It's possible that the replacement box is noisy, but it would seem unlikely to have a continuation of the same noise straight away. Seems more likely to be something else.
The 'new' diff is, again, not new. Again, it might be an issue but it's on with new mounts.
Changing the propshaft bearing - which was where this noise business started - shouldn't have affected the wheel bearings, so that might just be a worthwhile improvement. The propshaft bearing definitely needed doing, though, and having seen the state of the exhaust hangers I presume there's other rubber under there in a similar state.
I'm looking forward to having the car back soon, and will then see where we are.
When the propshaft centre bearing was done, which was nearly two years ago now, I supplied one new flex disk for the rear. Meyle, I think. Bearing and holder was Febi, I think. It's possible that there was some unusual assembly requirement that my Man didn't know/do. I think it's also possible that the act of disturbing the running gear after many years may have hastened something's demise. Gearbox mounts and front flex disk were changed (or, at least, were supplied) when the box was changed....whenever that was. I do have replacement engine mounts.
As a quick aside, I trust my Man to do the agreed work - he's kinda a family friend and I have no reasons to think that the result is anything but happenstance or an unusual requirement.
It's no bad thing that the rear wheel bearings get done. It's possible that the replacement box is noisy, but it would seem unlikely to have a continuation of the same noise straight away. Seems more likely to be something else.
The 'new' diff is, again, not new. Again, it might be an issue but it's on with new mounts.
Changing the propshaft bearing - which was where this noise business started - shouldn't have affected the wheel bearings, so that might just be a worthwhile improvement. The propshaft bearing definitely needed doing, though, and having seen the state of the exhaust hangers I presume there's other rubber under there in a similar state.
I'm looking forward to having the car back soon, and will then see where we are.
We like the green too. Pics were taken after a period of neglect. Car has been inside being overhauled for the past about 6 months, its well on the way now so I hope to have it all back on the road by early spring.
Probably a wise move with the wheel bearings as it will eliminate another source and save a job later on.
Had another thought! what if the propshaft balance marks were not realigned when the centre bearing was done.! (the two parts are balanced as one) an easy thing to do if you get distracted, during reassembly. There are two raised cast lines on one section and one on the other. The one needs to be be between the two (if that makes sense). The crush nut needs to be tightened when everything is back on the car and the propshaft has been turned a few times by hand.
Again just an idea and something else to eliminate. Good luck with everything
Probably a wise move with the wheel bearings as it will eliminate another source and save a job later on.
Had another thought! what if the propshaft balance marks were not realigned when the centre bearing was done.! (the two parts are balanced as one) an easy thing to do if you get distracted, during reassembly. There are two raised cast lines on one section and one on the other. The one needs to be be between the two (if that makes sense). The crush nut needs to be tightened when everything is back on the car and the propshaft has been turned a few times by hand.
Again just an idea and something else to eliminate. Good luck with everything
....aaaaaaaaaaand we're back!
Early start this morning - first train on the line, meaning we had to go very slowly in case there were leaves on the line or summat, meaning an extra 20mins travel time.
...but not as bad as the mechanics. It's been so long that I couldn't remember what the head man looked like, so I left feeling mildly miffed at what felt like disinterest while I was there, only to be called by him while driving back once he'd got to work (apparently over two hours rather than one) for a catch up.
The good news: the noise is all but disappeared. Granted I've not seen the car for three months, let alone driven it, but while it's never going to be the quietest car at speed (4 speed auto NA diesel, remember) it's orders of magnitude quieter than it was. So, job jobbed.
Unfortunately, their very busy-ness has meant that some of the jobs I floated as an idea didn't get done. I think we talked about swapping the rear springs while the bearings were being done, but as that was weeks before the work got done the springs had been forgotten about. Which reminds me:
r129sl: when you have time, please can you give me a measurement from ground to arch on the back of your car? (Or anyone else with a 7-seat S124)
I don't think the exhaust hangers have been replaced, but I haven't checked. That'll need doing before the MOT, I suspect.
And I had a bulb out.
But it's great to have the car back, and the noise gone, even if it was a three month wait and a four figure bill.
Early start this morning - first train on the line, meaning we had to go very slowly in case there were leaves on the line or summat, meaning an extra 20mins travel time.
...but not as bad as the mechanics. It's been so long that I couldn't remember what the head man looked like, so I left feeling mildly miffed at what felt like disinterest while I was there, only to be called by him while driving back once he'd got to work (apparently over two hours rather than one) for a catch up.
The good news: the noise is all but disappeared. Granted I've not seen the car for three months, let alone driven it, but while it's never going to be the quietest car at speed (4 speed auto NA diesel, remember) it's orders of magnitude quieter than it was. So, job jobbed.
Unfortunately, their very busy-ness has meant that some of the jobs I floated as an idea didn't get done. I think we talked about swapping the rear springs while the bearings were being done, but as that was weeks before the work got done the springs had been forgotten about. Which reminds me:
r129sl: when you have time, please can you give me a measurement from ground to arch on the back of your car? (Or anyone else with a 7-seat S124)
I don't think the exhaust hangers have been replaced, but I haven't checked. That'll need doing before the MOT, I suspect.
And I had a bulb out.
But it's great to have the car back, and the noise gone, even if it was a three month wait and a four figure bill.
Thats good news. Looks like ours will be the last one out of the blocks!!! Or Off of them......!
Does look a bit low at the back, sorry can't measure ours as its in bits but check this out
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/standard-height-...
and this
http://www.w124performance.com/service/Index/103in...
Does look a bit low at the back, sorry can't measure ours as its in bits but check this out
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/standard-height-...
and this
http://www.w124performance.com/service/Index/103in...
Northbrook said:
....aaaaaaaaaaand we're back!
r129sl: when you have time, please can you give me a measurement from ground to arch on the back of your car? (Or anyone else with a 7-seat S124)
If I remember I'll measure that on mine today. Both your car and the green one look a bit low at the back to me but I could be totally wrong. Had the airbags on mine replaced last year so it should be about right. r129sl: when you have time, please can you give me a measurement from ground to arch on the back of your car? (Or anyone else with a 7-seat S124)
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