The 300SDL diff is leaking oil on both axles. I have never removed axles on MBZ but have removed half shaft on FWD cars. What is the best/fastest way to replace both the cover oil seals? Do I have 3 choices below?

1) Remove both half axles from the diff and wheel?
2) Drop the diff only and remove the axles? Axles still attach to wheel.
3) Mine are annular shafts. Does the shaft come apart if I undo the 6 allen head bolts? If it does, then is this a third way to do the cover oil seals?

Thanks

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300SDL project car

There is a seal on each side of the Differential where the axles slide into it.

with the annular axles, just remove the 6 bolts, push the axle towards the wheel, it will seperate at the flange. let it hang down.

You will have to remove the rear cover from the Diff. to remove the 2 "C" clips that hold in the axle subbs.

You have a second generation 126 with the later style Diff mount, but probably comes apart the same as the First gen and W123 Diff.
(First Gen - 81 - 85, Second Gen 86- 91)

You will need a jack under the Diff, to hold it when removing the mount. then lower it down to remove the cover.

The seals just pry out, and I used a large socket that fit the seal and with a dead blow hammer, sent it home. the seals I used have a spring around the inner lip, be sure to pack some grease around the lip so the spring doesn`t pop out.

This link will give you an idea what you are in for. you can do it.

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123RearAxles

the axles he replaced are the Homokenetic, and replaced them with the Annular style. For any new members wondering on terminology.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I understand I need to remove the diff back cover to pull the 'C' clips. If I drop the diff, do I still need to remove the 6 bolts to separate the flange? Shouldn't I be able to slide the axles out with the diff lowered?

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300SDL project car

You can take the axles out w/o removing the 6 bolts. remove the bolt in the center of the hub. 13mm as I remember.

You will have to raise the Differential back up to get the axle to clear the back side of the hub. even then, the clearance is close. You might have to remove the caliper and hang it on the sway bar to give your self a little more room.

If you do, be sure to use blue lock-tite on the 19mm bolts. also on the 6 flange bolts if you have to remove them.

I have removes axles and differentials for the junk Yard. i always loved it when there were Annular axles, sooo much easier. Jacks are not allowed in the PNP yards.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

How do the shop/members do it?

1) Do they remove the nut on the wheel hub, remove the 'C' clip and slide the axle out completely and then replace the cover seal?

2) Or do they remove the 6 bolts which hold the flange, leave the axle on the wheel hub, remove the 'C' clip, slide the short axle out and then replace the cover seal?

I want to follow the common practice and try not to screw it up big time.

Thanks.

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300SDL project car

Iam a member, so, Yes. Thats the way I would do it.

Any way you do it, you aren`t going to screw it up. end results will be the same.


Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Which way you prefer, option 1 or 2?

Thanks.

__________________
300SDL project car

I would probably do option #2 since you have the Annular axles. If I didn`t leave the axle in the hub, and had to remove it. I would still take it apart at the flange (6 Bolts). it would be easier for me.

How long have the axles been installed? there is mention of swapping sides, to extend the the life of the axle. this is so the torque or pressure applied to the swivel joint is on another side.

There is a very thin spacer on the end of the axle stubb. just be sure it stays on the same side of the Differential. if you don`t swap the stubb end, then no problem.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

not taking the axles out of the wheel hub will save you time. I'd do option 2.

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Do not know how long the axles have been installed there. I had the car for 1yr+. I will do option 2. I will do it one at a time to make sure I do not swap the short end.

Thanks.

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300SDL project car

Try to tackle this job today. I look at the end cover and it does not seem to be easy to remove. The end cover seems to the part of the structure holding up the diff. It is bolted to the diff by 6-8 bolts and a big round-ish thing on the left. The diff is held in place by the diff mount ( bolt to the cover plate ) at the back and 2 hex bolts at the front.

Any advice to remove the cover and to lower the diff is appreciated.

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300SDL project car

Here's a picture on my W123 - it is about the same on the W126



You can see the mount in the top left hand corner of the picture.

If you're removing the mount you need to support the bottom of the differential. Prop it up with a jack / wood / bricks (please note wood and bricks are OK here because the differential isn't too heavy - don't use wood and bricks to hold the weight of the whole car).

If you are taking off the rear cover make sure you've drained the oil! And make sure both the drain and the fill plugs are loose before you put the cover back on. You'll probably need a 14mm Allen key.

I hope this helps.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

The mounting is offset to the left. The back plate is bolted to a round-ish part by a spline type of bolt. I think I need to remove the 2 hex bolts at the front and the spline type of bolt.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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300SDL project car

Oh is it more like this then?

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W124Differential

In what year was your 300sdl built?

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

I did a search and this came up. The pictures are not very clear but it is same as my diff. I think I need to find a 'spline' bit to remove the bolt just like the picture shown in your link. I have drained the diff fluid so it is a go for now.

BTW: it is a 1987 300SDL

Urgent help needed! 300SDL

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300SDL project car