Several things on my W210 E300D

[hollik]

Hi all,

I bought a w210 300 Diesel 4 matic, november 1995 about 2 weeks ago.
It reads about 130.000 miles on the clock. (not checked)

As a taxi driver in Holland I've driven so many w210's of all versions, over the years that I feel there are some things not like they should be on my MB.

1 ) First of all I can hear a bearing-kind of sound from the rear end, I suspect the right wheel, but am not sure what to check, I jacked it up but can't feel any free play, when I turn the wheel I can something scratching and it looks like if it's the brake pads / disc, but visually they look fine! Also the pitch of the sound stays the same at all speeds, but doesn't go away at any speed.

2) When I hit a bump in the road, any speed, but located under one of the front wheels, my steering wheel gets knocked around left / right and back to center, but driving the car on a flat surface feels ok.

3) When I park my car the power steering seems to work intermittently light / heavy / light / heavy steering. :-?

4) I can hear some sort of low-pitched humming / vibrating noise from the front of the engine when idling (it does run smoothly on all 6) when I rev it up just a tad, the noise dissapears.

5) My gearbox shifts beautifully, except when driven in a cold state, then it seems like it's just throwing it in the gear without even using a clutch. (I mean that is what it feels like). but when I've driven the car around a bit it just shifts beautifully. 8)

6) last but not least, my alarm / doorlocking remote key thingy, I have the old version, in which the key can fold into the hole thing, it's is operated with I/R lights. I went to the closest MB stealership and they would charge me 267 euros, something like 200 pounds? for an extra copy, as I got my car with just 1 key , is it possible to get original keys cheaper? Those keys are more valuable in weight then gold is!

You are all wondering why did you buy this car? It looks great, the engine runs great, and it hasn't leaked one drop of oil anywhere. And........ it was dirt cheap.

Hope you can help me out on some things!

gr.

hollik

p.s. great forum you guys got here!

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Heh, I had similar problems when I bought mine! Here are some possible causes:



2) If its a knocking sound you hear, its very likely the front anti-roll bar link rods, common problem, very cheap to fix (£6 a side IIRC). DIY job.

Also check the ball joints, they might be worn as well.

3) Check the PAS fluid level, small black 'bottle' on front nearside of engine bay. The cap should have a dipstick built into it.

4) Sounds like the Belt tensioner assembly. If its like mine, its a small shock, spring and pulley right at the front of the engine, just behind the belt. Probably worn, will likely need replacement. Best to replace the entire thing rather than just one component, mine went through 2 replacement shocks before I realised that Could be a worn pulley anywhere on the belt. Get it sorted, you don't want the car throwing the belt on the motorway

6) The dealer has massively overquoted - I just this week bought a spare key (with metal 'key' insert) for about £120 from a dealer. DONT BUY FROM EBAY THEY WONT WORK.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome.
2) Steering damper failed / on it's way out?
5) When was ATF last changed (Surprised Parrot of Doom Missed this one as he posted an excellent step by step guide on this forum

 

[television]

5) My gearbox shifts beautifully, except when driven in a cold state, then it seems like it's just throwing it in the gear without even using a clutch. (I mean that is what it feels like). but when I've driven the car around a bit it just shifts beautifully. 8)






hollik

p.s. great forum you guys got here!

Your gear box is normal, this was the start of where it holds on to the lower gears until the CAT is warm, also rather harsh when cold. This is normal

Malcolm

 

[C220GJS]

(1) Could be the rear parking brake mechanism rubbing inside the disc/drum, remove to check.

 

[hollik]

First of all I would like to thank you all with your swift responses!

I am quite sure as parrot of doom pointed out with point 4)

that my belt tensioner damping thing is broken, if I touch it the noise gets less, so that thing needs replacing...

As for the key, I quess I'll try another dealer then....

Blobcat on point 2)

I don't know when the power steering fluid was last changed, I checked the level, but there is a nasty "burnt" smell comming from it, so that very well needs replacing then...

Where can I find the steering damper / how do I check it? (if possible)

Television on point 5)

That does feel reassuring! I quess I got spoiled driving CDI's with the electronic gearbox then!!

C220GJS on point 1)

I think your hit the nail on the head, I jacked my car up and removed the wheel, when I turn the brake disc assembly I can hear sounds comming from the drum, How do I remove this drum though, seems like the lock nut uses a different pattern then the socket I have (6 sides in my socket)

Once again thank you all for your responses!

gr. hollik

 

[C220GJS]

Do not touch the central hub nut ,the brake disc/drum is held in place by one allen screw and with the parking brake released should come off relatively easily ,although it may be rusted in place as it is a tight fit over the hub and may require some "gentle persuasion" with a "small hammer" to shock it free.
Hope this helps , Geo.

 

[hollik]

C220GJS,

Thank you for pointing that out, I've seen the little screw and didn't dare touching it before, not knowing what it's purpose is...

I'll check it first thing tommorrow morning, maybe I can't get the thing sorted that annoys me most at the moment...

gr.

hollik

 

[C220GJS]

Hollik, you don't seem to have a steering damper, your's is rack and pinion steering, see here; http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.446&CT=F&cat=45P&SID=46&SGR=022&SGN=01 ;

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

3) When I park my car the power steering seems to work intermittently light / heavy / light / heavy steering. :-?

I had this problem on my van, sometimes the steering would seem heavier than others but not noticeably fluctuating. At first I thought I was imagining things but then I noticed that the fluid smelt horribly burnt and a sample taken with a syringe looked black and not the expected red. Ran it into the dealer and they fitted a new pump under warranty. They said a bearing in the pump was failing although there were no noises or other symptoms.

 

[hollik]

thanx for your replies!

Then I'll have to get my power steering pump checked, probably will have to dig deep into my wallet then .... Then again when you drive mercedes, you pay mercedes...

Does anyone know a good (read cheap) place to get replacement parts?

And now off to get my right rear wheel off...

gr.

Hollik

 

[hollik]

Have taken off my right rear wheel today, still not sure that the bearing like sound was comming from the handbrake drum, I removed the brake caliper and such, and to my horror the sounds actually seem to be comming from my diff.

The hardee / rubber thing connecting the propshaft into the diff looks new, and so does the propshaft (actually has a mercedes benz sticker on it, not so old)

Also I discovered that it is leaking oil, which it wasn't before... actually quite a bit of oil all of a sudden....

Now I've read some stuff on some hose that could be blocked causing this, which hose / valve should I be clearing? / where to find it ? :roll:

Also I've read (was for a W202 type) the choiche of oil would be a quality make 80 W 90 oil ?

Should I be getting this sorted immediately as the sounds are increasing? (stupid question) or could it wait for about 2 weeks? (pay day)

And if the diff is broken, will this make me bankrupt? (stupid question, yes....)

gr.

hollik

 

[Blobcat]

210's do suffer from the diff breather blocking, this forces oil out of the propshaft and drive shaft seals. You have to drop the diff to replace the breather and you should replace the three oil seals at the same time. Although it does take a long while for suffient oil to be forced out to cause a problem it is worth fixing. (Mine was replaced at 65Kmiles)

 

[hollik]

Tnx for your reply blobcat,

I'll get that checked ASAP.

I'm just wondering after getting all the wheels off my cars, I noticed that the wheel bearings are probably ok since there isn't any free play or sounds comming from within the bearing, what I unfortunatly did discover is that all my brake discs seem to be bend!

Can this produce the beating kind sounds I get when driving?

gr.

hollik

 

[Myros]

if your discs are out of true or warped

they will produce a rhythmic pulsing/banging from the brake pedal, in time with the roadwheel revolutions. You can get them skimmed, but it's probably easier to replace with new discs and pads Don't forget a new fitting kit and ABS sensors as well.

 

[hollik]

Hello all,

tnx for your replies,

Went to an independent MB shop today, they had a test drive in it and said it's definitely my diff, but they didn't know if they could fix the diff or another one should be placed.

As "finding out how to fix the problem" often costs more then rather just replacing " the problem " at a garage, I'm in the market for a new (used) diff it seems. This is one of the very first w210's 300D 4 matic and I was wondering which diff's I could use from the scrapyard, any chance that a w124 or other type might work as well? :?:

Since those will be easier (cheaper) I reckon, and is there any way to find out if I get a good one? (no real problem as scrapyard's in holland actually give a 30 day warranty, but don't feel like swapping diff's twice... )

gr.

hollik

 

[hollik]

Hello all,

Just been wondering all day long, is it possible to buy the inner parts of the diff and mounting them your self, as needed?

I did gearbox changes / engine overhauls on porsche 944's and 924 also clutch changing on a alfa 146 td etc. etc. Will doing the inner workings off a diff. be a real specialist job, or could I give it a go?

gr.

Hollik