I need to change out the differential in my 1981 300D. I see 4 bolts on a rubber mount in the back (easy to get to) and 2 bolts in the front. I tried reaching over the driveshaft to get to these front bolts, but it seems too tight for a socket. Anybody removed one of these things? Would appreciate any tips you may have concerning wrench size, techniques, etc. Searched this forum but couldn't find anything specific. I'm using a rental car right now and need to get it changed soon. Thanks!

If your doing the differential with the axle half shafts, this is what I do. Support the rear of the car on jack stands. Remove the wheels & rear calipers. Remove the 8mm (13mm head) bolts from the outbord end of axle (one on each side, center of the brake roter). Slide each half shaft inward from its wheel hub assembly until they clear the hub and can be moved back, clear of the hub. Remove the three bolts from the driveline to the front drive flange of the differential. Go to the driveline center support bering and loosten the two bolts to allow the driveline to slide forward clear of the differential flange. Support the differential close to the rear with a jack. Remove the 8mm bolts that go through the rear mount upward into the body. I can't remember if there are two bolts or four at this point, but they thread upward into the body. Lower the supporting jack to let the rear of the differential down. There are four bolts (studs with nuts) accessable from the top of the differential housing that require a 19mm wrench. Loosten these bolts together (evenly), as they are letting the differential down. This is where you find out if you've been going to the gym enough, cause when the last of those bolts is out you will have yourself a handfull. I have been able to support that thing with one hand while removing/starting the nuts with the other, but it might be wise to have someone help hold it. The exhaust runs under the left axle, but I have done it ok without issue. If you wish to remove the axles before taking the differential out; drain the oil, remove the rear cover. There are a pair of c-shaped retainer clips that hold the axles onto the side gears inside the differential. Removeing those will allow you to remove the half shafts from the defferential. Enjoy your weekend!!

I recently had mine loose. This is slightly tricky so make sure you are up to it. Get the car on jackstands in the vicinity of the front axle carrier mounts and remove the wheels . BE CAREFUL- there are plenty of opportunities to kill oneself by poor auto jacking/supporting procedures during this job ! Drain the diff. oil. Loosen and hang the brake calipers with wire. Remove the axle bolts at the wheels. Remove exhaust pipe. Support the diff. with a roll around jack and unbolt the rear rubber axle mount/bearing from the body,then unbolt the mount from the diff. You may need to unbolt the handbrake cable attachment. Now partially lower the diff. and carrier unit so you have room to use a wrench on the difficult 2 front upper nuts holding the diff. to the carrier (and remove the 2 back nuts also). Remove the diff. cover .Remove the axle c-clips and axles. (This is a good time to check those axle boots) Mark the parts carefully at the flex joint for balance if the old parts are going back in. Remove the bolts at the flex joint and roll it out.

I may have forgotten something, so let others on the forum add some refinement to my description before you start.

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Diesel-guy