JohnSBusby
New Registration
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2003
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I am the new owner of a tatty 1987 300TE Estate Auto with 150k on the clock. At speeds above 50 mph (and up to the maximum I have driven ie 90 mph) a vibration sets in that triggers the ABS warning light. The vibration is felt through the body rather than steering wheel, is independent of braking and is most pronounced on a trailing throttle. I also get a pronounced clonk when shifting between Drive and Reverse, the effect lessened if I pause between changes and/or keep my foot on the brake.
I have had the propshaft couplings replaced and the centre bearing pronounced OK by an independent MB specialist. He has suggested that the problem may be perished differential/rear suspension/subframe bushes. The rear underisde of the car is generally rusty and all visible bushes are are certainly in a very poor state. Has anybody out there encountered similar symptoms and found knackered bushes to be the culprit?
One additional but related query. Whilst underneath inspecting the bushes I noted breaks in the metal of the underside of the rear cross member, on both the N/S and O/S, adjacent to the rear subframe mounts. The breaks extend across the 2 small openings sealed with rubber plugs and are smooth, not ragged. The breaks are mirror images on O/S and N/S and slightly offset the the 2 halves of each of the plugged openings by the same amount and in the same direction. Are these cracks or merely open butt joins in the metal? Should I be concerned about the visible offset across the plugged holes and should I have them welded up?
More certainly not intentional is an adjacent 2 inch ragged tear on the rear suface of the O/S crossmember near 4 spot welds. This does not completely penetrate to the inside of the box section; an inserted screwdriver encounters solid metal. Am I seeing a split in the outer layer of a doubled skinned reinforced section around the subframe mounts? My screwdriver probing and the spot welds suggest to me that this is the case. I intend to have the ragged tear welded together with a similar hirline crack in the same position on the offside.
There are no signs of impact damge to account for these breaks. Any observations would be welcome
I have had the propshaft couplings replaced and the centre bearing pronounced OK by an independent MB specialist. He has suggested that the problem may be perished differential/rear suspension/subframe bushes. The rear underisde of the car is generally rusty and all visible bushes are are certainly in a very poor state. Has anybody out there encountered similar symptoms and found knackered bushes to be the culprit?
One additional but related query. Whilst underneath inspecting the bushes I noted breaks in the metal of the underside of the rear cross member, on both the N/S and O/S, adjacent to the rear subframe mounts. The breaks extend across the 2 small openings sealed with rubber plugs and are smooth, not ragged. The breaks are mirror images on O/S and N/S and slightly offset the the 2 halves of each of the plugged openings by the same amount and in the same direction. Are these cracks or merely open butt joins in the metal? Should I be concerned about the visible offset across the plugged holes and should I have them welded up?
More certainly not intentional is an adjacent 2 inch ragged tear on the rear suface of the O/S crossmember near 4 spot welds. This does not completely penetrate to the inside of the box section; an inserted screwdriver encounters solid metal. Am I seeing a split in the outer layer of a doubled skinned reinforced section around the subframe mounts? My screwdriver probing and the spot welds suggest to me that this is the case. I intend to have the ragged tear welded together with a similar hirline crack in the same position on the offside.
There are no signs of impact damge to account for these breaks. Any observations would be welcome
