My 89 240dl developed a rattle about a month ago and it has progressed to the point of driving me crazy. I got excited when I heard the problem was most likely a loose heat shield and dissapointed when I still heard the noise after removing it. It sounds like it's coming from the transmissions bell-housing, as if to suggest the problem is a loose fly-wheel or, worse yet, loose torque converter. The rattling sounds like a tin can being flung around in a 55 gallon drum at about 100 mph. The car will rattle in park but it gets much worse when shifting into drive. Eventually it will quiet down after reaching around 40 MPH. Does anyone have a good idea what the problem might be? I somehow have the feeling the tranny will have to be removed. I can think of few times I would love to have been proved wrong more than this. Any ideas? Greatly appreciated. Thank you.