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#1
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Leaking front differential
Hi all,
I noticed recently that my beloved ML is beginning to leak gear oil from the front differential. It appears to be leaking from the seal on the driveshaft flange. I was wondering if anyone has any tips to replacing this (Gillybenztech?). More specificaly, is a special tool required to pull the flange off from the differential once I remove the six hex bolts from the CV-type joint to move the driveshaft out of the way or can I just pull it off by hand? I plan on purchasing the seal shortly and am comtemplating doing the job myself. Would this be possible for a fairly advanced DIY'er? Thanks!
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-98 Polar white ML320 - M1 Package, Bilstein Shocks, H&R Rear Lowering springs, monochrome paint scheme (like MY2000+ ML's), ML430 wheels and tires, MY2002+ halogen headlights |
#2
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You need a tool to hold the flange while loosening and torquing the flange. I can't remember the torque right now, I'm guessing 100-150nm. The bolts that hold the d-shaft to the flange have to be replaced (and torqued). I recommend also replacing the flange itself, it's not that expensive. There is a special tool to drive the flange seal into the case. Also the typical big-ass socket required to remove the flange nut, but it has to be thin-walled enough to fit into the recess to engage onto the nut, that may pose a problem as most sockets of that dimension are too thick walled(I want to guess at 41mm? I can check at work and get torque specs too, at least I hope I can, our WIS PC is down).
Gilly
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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold) |
#3
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Thanks, Gillybenztech; you are always there for us. If you can find the size and torque of the flange nut, I would really appreciate it.
-Gene
__________________
-98 Polar white ML320 - M1 Package, Bilstein Shocks, H&R Rear Lowering springs, monochrome paint scheme (like MY2000+ ML's), ML430 wheels and tires, MY2002+ halogen headlights |
#4
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Gillybenztech,
Do you have any idea, how much a Mercedes dealership would charge to replace the seal? If it's not that much (and does not take very long), I may just have my local dealership (Rusnak Mercedes) handle this. Thanks!
__________________
-98 Polar white ML320 - M1 Package, Bilstein Shocks, H&R Rear Lowering springs, monochrome paint scheme (like MY2000+ ML's), ML430 wheels and tires, MY2002+ halogen headlights |
#5
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Gene:
I'll look in the labor time guide and try to get the r&r time for that seal, and see if I can get some of that other info too. I'm off work this Monday, so probably be Tuesday before i can post the info. Gilly ps, just call me Gilly, not the whole gillybenztech, that's a little tedious.
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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold) |
#6
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Hi Gilly,
Any luck on those torque values and labor times? Thanks!
__________________
-98 Polar white ML320 - M1 Package, Bilstein Shocks, H&R Rear Lowering springs, monochrome paint scheme (like MY2000+ ML's), ML430 wheels and tires, MY2002+ halogen headlights |
#7
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Nah. I started feeling like crap yesterday morning, and didn't even go to work today. I'll hope for tomorrow.
Gilly
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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold) |
#8
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Hope you feel better soon. I woke up with a bad headache this morning (occasional migraines). Fortunately, Excedrin came to the rescue.
-Gene
__________________
-98 Polar white ML320 - M1 Package, Bilstein Shocks, H&R Rear Lowering springs, monochrome paint scheme (like MY2000+ ML's), ML430 wheels and tires, MY2002+ halogen headlights |
#9
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Mine started with a slight sore throat, then within an hour it seemed like all my energy had been tapped, like I hadn't slept for 3 days or something. I finished the work day, but wasn't real proud of the amount of work I had done. Just felt like I'd been run over by a truck, and a lousy truck at that! Added to this was the fact it was the first time I'd ridden my motorcycle to work this season. I wasn't looking forward to the ride home, probably the first time I can say that, because I love to ride. More like a head cold now, doing better, going to work anyways.
Gilly
__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold) |
#10
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Well, our WIS is still down. What I know for sure is MB pays on warranty time .9 hour, if you are out of warranty they may charge more.
The torque for the 6 bolts that hold the d-shaft to the flange is 50nm, the drive pinion nut, not much luck. The proper thing to do is to use this tool that measure the amount of force it takes to spin the pinion before removing the pinion flange, then match it up when you are through. It may be as high as 400nm, or higher, to achieve this. Gilly
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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold) |
#11
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Gilly,
I bought the seal already and will be attempting this soon. Can I use regular (chain store variety) gear oil to top off the differential? If, so what brand and viscosity? I also noticed that the drain and fill plugs look like they require a 17mm hex wrench (like the old VW Scirocco I had), is that the correct size? Also, if I marked the pinion nut (and the flange) and tightened back to the same place, do you think I could get away from having to go the pinion nut preload route? Thanks, Gene
__________________
-98 Polar white ML320 - M1 Package, Bilstein Shocks, H&R Rear Lowering springs, monochrome paint scheme (like MY2000+ ML's), ML430 wheels and tires, MY2002+ halogen headlights |
#12
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Gene:
It seems to me that the fill plug is a 14mm. Yes, 80W90 gear oil is fine in the front diff. Remember that the ETS system uses "open" differentials, nothing fancy in there. On the flange nut, wow. That's an idea that may work out for you. I wouldn't do it that way, but for a DIY, it may be close enough. Biggest problem as I see it will be the seal driver, this may be tougher than you think, you know someone at the dealership that'll let you use theirs? Gilly
__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold) |
#13
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Yes, this is an old post, but the info may help someone out. The nut holding the flange to the pinion is 32 mm; the drain & fill plugs are 10 mm. At least that's what they are on my '98 ML320.
Lenny
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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) |
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