After recently winning the bid on a Quaife QDF5V ATB differential, I broke my 3.06 open diff down in preparation. This will be going into my 90 300CE, which currently has 3.27 gears. The donor 3.06 is from my 91 CE parts car. The Quaife is currently being shipped so as progress happens on the diff I'll post pics and update the post.


The breakdown is pretty straightforward. I'm not messing with the pinion other than to replace the seal so back cover off, clips out and hubs out. Unbolt and remove the side bearing carriers and the open differential falls out. After the bolts are out the ring gear, a little heat applied and the ring falls right off.

I'm a bit nervous about setup in that special shims are used to set the carrier in position. Most of these shims are NLA from Mercedes so anybody with spares give a shout out. I've got 1.13mm and 1.93mm and in a perfect world they would get the job done. I'm planning to replace the side bearings. They're not cheap but without the special tool to pull them it doesn't seem worth the effort. So considering it will have new bearings and a carrier manufactured by a 3rd party, it will be a miracle if my original shims get it setup right.


Here's the beast stripped down:

Attached Thumbnails

   

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90 300TE 4-M
Turbo 103, T3/T04E 50 trim
T04B cover .60 AR
Stage 3 turbine .63 AR
A2W I/C, 40 LB/HR
MS2E, 60-2 Direct Coil Control
3" Exh, AEM W/B O2
Underdrive Alt. and P/S Pulleys,
Vented Rear Discs, .034 Booster.
3.07 diffs 1st Gear Start

90 300CE 104.980
Milled & ported head, 10.3:1 compression
197° intake cam w/20° advancer
Tuned CIS ECU
4° ignition advance
PCS TCM2000, built 722.6
600W networked suction fan
Sportline sway bars
V8 rear subframe, Quaife ATB 3.06 diff