Differential Pinion Play

[380slflyer]

'84 380SL, 200k miles, new flex discks & center drive shaft support & bearing. There is a noticeable vibration from drive shaft, it comes & goes. I tried moving the differential pinion and it has radial play. Is this responcible for the vibration? What is the course of action? Differential overhaul? I have good knowledge of gearboxes and know about backlash, gear mesh and drag. Can I perform the O/H myself?

[Roncallo]

I have been looking into this myself. It looks like a job that can be done without special tools but I could be wrong. The proceedure calls for some special tool mandrels but it looks like you could possibly use your CV output spline shafts for the two side mandrels and possibly metric drill rod for the spider gear mandrel.

Other than that everything else looks like a standard Chevy.

John Roncallo

[Kebowers]

Rebuilding a MBZ differential is not a simply 'take it apart and put it back topgether'. Installing the ring and pinion gears in the proper positions in order to achieve a noise-free operaion is very problematic. I suggest you buy a good used one and spend the 2 weeks of effort and disapointment you saved on a well deserved vacation.

Not that it can't be done with the training, time, tools, and attention to all the details, but not a good way to spend limited time.