Anyone know how to get the front drive flange off the transfer case on a '98 ML320? I'm trying to replace the seal. OK to use a puller?

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Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

Well I did a little more investigation, and actually found an exploded diagram of the transfer case on my "Information Access" CD. Looks like I have to split the case! The front output flange is one piece with the output shaft. I'll top off the fluid and live with the leak, for now anyway.

__________________
Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

I know it is a very old thread.

Were you able to add fluid to the transfer case? Does yours look like this one?

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I would have to go home, crawl under the car and have a close look at it to be sure it looks like your drawing. IIRC, I drained the case, then realized I can't get the flange off, and refilled it. I believe I used Mobil 1 75W90.

I now have the WIS at home; maybe there's a diagram of the case that I could print as a pdf.

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Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

itb76:

I saw you are also in MI.

If you used 75W-90, then it is not the transfer case because the TC takes transmission fluid.

You probably did the differential. The differential is easy to fill.

However, your post said transfer case.

Bo:

I'm in West Michigan, by beautiful White Lake (the one in Muskegon County, not the one by Waterford).

I was referring to the transfer case. At the time I didn't have a manual for the car, so it is possible that I didn't know it took ATF. I only recall buying the Mercedes ATF when I drained the transmission; after replacing the "lifetime" fluid it shifted much better. Usually I document what fluids I put in, for the transfer case I did not. It is possible I used ATF, but if memory serves me I filled it with Mobil 1 75W90 and the front seal quit leaking. I don't reacall having any difficulty filling it. My transfer does NOT look like your diagram.

Prior to doing this I did replace leaking pinion seals and changed the fluid in both differentials.

__________________
Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

Thanks, Lenny. I saw Little Black Lake but not White Lake on the map.

Lenny,

I am jumping in on your comment on changing the pinion seals. How hard was it to change the front pinion seal? My front one (98 ML320) leaks when full but seems to slow WAY down when it reaches a level about 1 inch below the hole (still plenty of lubricant). Last pinion seal I changed was on a 55 Chevy!

Thanks, Jim in Phoenix