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Old 01-10-2009, 10:54 AM
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Johnhef Johnhef is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Frederick, Md
Posts: 4,540
116 to 126 Differential swap (with pics)

I believe this belongs here, since I was going for performance

I wanted to swap something else into my 83 500SEC, over the 2.24 gear it came with. The limited slip in it was shot since I bought it, so I figured I would look for something taller as well. Originally I thought I could use one from a 560SEL, since not many people seemed to know for sure. It was offered to me for $175, including the axles and would have ABS and the Limited Slip in a 2.47 gearing. I knew the rear cover was different, but I thought all I had to do was swap the cover with my old one. After locating the document in the FSM, I realized it wasn't that easy. I did however find out that it looked like just about any one from a 107, 114, 115, 116, 123 and 126 would swap, up to 9/85. After some more research in the EPC to see what models came with what gearings, I set out to find someone parting a 6.9, where I could get a 2.65 Limited Slip from. Easier said then done though. After looking for awhile and having PM's not returned inquiring about 6.9 parts cars, I came across Pooka's post in the for sale section again for a 3.07 from a 1973 450SE. He pulled it in 1988, and iirc he said it had somewhere around 80k on it.

He sent some pictures and from what I could tell and what I knew, it seemed it would work. He sent it out and I recieved it this past Monday, and I got the bug to try to mess with it Thursday night. I decided I wanted to use my axles since the boots were in better shape and they were the flanged type. After taking some crude measurements, it semed like everything was the same size, so I started removing my old one. After getting it out and measuring everything, I was happy, it was all exactly the same sizing! Everything swapped PERFECTLY! So now my 500SEC has a 3.07 LSD, but minus ABS, which I usually unplug when doing auto-x anyways so I wont miss it too much. SLS will be next to go if we can ever get the Bilstein B8 Sprint (basically, the sport model) shocks over here.

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Large Center Piece,
models: 107.023,024,025,026,043,044,045,046; 116.028,029,03x 126.03x,04x
The breather is located on the right on the rear axle housing. On models 126.03x/04x
the breather is located at the left on the rear axle housing starting Oct 81 to Nov 82.
The two lateral bearing caps are fastened with 8 screws. The hole circle diameter of
the universal joint flange on models 107.023/025/043/045, 116.028/029 and 126.032/033
up to Sep 1980 amounts to 90mm. On models 107.024/025/026/044/045/046 and 126.032/033
starting Oct 1980 amounts to 110mm.

Small Center Piece (with lateral bearing caps)
models: 107.022/042, 114, 115, 116.020/024/025/120, 123
The breather is located on the end cover. The two lateral bearing caps are each
fastened by 6 screws. Models 107.022/.042 and 123 are provided with this center piece
as standard equipment up to January 1981.

Small Center Piece (without lateral caps)
models: 123, 126.02x
The diameter of the radial sealing rings is larger and is provided with an alternate
spiral thread. Models 107.022/042 and 123 are provided with this center piece as
standard equipment starting february 1981.

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__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350
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