Graham ;

I use (ALWAYS ! 3 ton safety stands so shoving the car off them isn't a worry .

I took a really hard push with my feet to break the filler plug loose .

The filler plug has n aluminum gasket, the drain plug is a taper thread .

When doing the drive axles on a W123 (I've not yet done a W126) you remove the rear wheels first, then undo the 13MM ATF bolt and push the axle inwards, it'll barely clear the outer suspension .

Then you undo the top two diffy cover bolts and then the 15MM ATF bolts and the cover comes right off .

I normally use two crossed drifts and a mallet to pop the snap rings loose, the last one went flying over my shoulder so I bought a spring hook tool at a Motocycle supply shop, it should work .

Yes, you're going to have to raise up the diffy after you've finished installing the new axles .

Remember to clean the diffy cover's mating surfaces HOSPITAL CLEAN using small wire brushes and alcohol, then smear a tiny bead of your favorite sealant just before you re install the cover .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better