Thumping from rear - diff?

[hnewmark]

Hi All - it's the long-suffering '83 500SL chap again...



I am getting a thump-thump-thump noise from the back when reversing slowly.

My mechanic tells me my rear diff has gone, but I am beginning to think he is just in love with my wife and wants me to be broke, so that she'll leave me for him.

Could there be any other reason for this noise, or am I going to have to take his word for it?

Cheers

Howard

 

[clive williams]

Hi All - it's the long-suffering '83 500SL chap again...



I am getting a thump-thump-thump noise from the back when reversing slowly.

My mechanic tells me my rear diff has gone, but I am beginning to think he is just in love with my wife and wants me to be broke, so that she'll leave me for him.

Could there be any other reason for this noise, or am I going to have to take his word for it?

Cheers

Howard,

Are you offering your wife in exchange for repairs? Now thats loyalty to the marque!

On the thump - thump have you checked out the rear suspension linkages? In general they are designed to work in tension i.e. going forward and slack links can only get really noticeable in reverse. I wouldn't confine the investigation to the diff alone.

If it is the diff then you must have a high regard for your wife as its going to be expensive!

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[hnewmark]

Thanks Clive.

I took it to a diff specialist and he reckons it is the limited slip - so it's going for a rebuild. Gulp.

I'll miss the old girl.

And the Mercedes too.