Is the axle shaft seal in good shape? Also, does it have small spiral grooves in it? I've never taken mine apart, but I know that MB uses those grooves on some seal surfaces to cause oil to be better retained. The grooves are directional, that is, if they DO have grooves, they should be different from one side to the other because they rotate in different directions, and the wrong way would cause more leaking at the seal lip. The outside of the grooves should be leading while it rotates.

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.