96 e300d rear axle leak help!!!

[gvanhouten]

My 96 e300d has 107k and I am the second owner and there is alot of leaks on rear axle. Both axle seals where they connect into the diff need to be replaced as well as the seal from the front portion of diff. How difficult is this to tackle. I have replaced engines shocks ect. I consider myself an advance DIY. I have heard that this is common for this vehicle. I need a step by step application. Let me know what you think. Thanks george

[Gilly]

It would just be a bear without a hoist and air tools. Need to get all the bolts off each side that hold on the half-shafts (I think 10 each side?), then 3 bolts off that hold the diff to the rear subframe (oh, and the driveshaft too).
It's a little heavy, we used to use a tranny jack to help support it. The side seals are fairly straightforward, just pop off the rear cover and remove the clips, take it apart, replace the seals (nice to have the special driver tool to install the new ones though). The front pinion seal, a little trickier. Prior to removing the yoke you need to measure the turning resistance of the input yuoke and record it. Then after removing the yoke and replacing the seal you tighten the nut holding on the yoke incrementally until the same "drag" is achieved.
Few other thoughts are that you have to seal the rear cover with loctite 5900 and let it sit a few hours before you refill the diff with fluid, also the rear cover bolts are supposed to be replaced, as are the ones holding on the half-shafts, oh and don't forget new nuts for the flex disc.
Gilly

edit PS: there is also a few bulletins out, one refers to input yoke replacement (not sure which models it's for, but it's for this style/era of diffs, and also if it is throwing oil out of the breather on top of the rear cover, there is a modified rear cover, again unsure which models this pertains to.

[gvanhouten]

Gilly,

Thanks for your help. I see 6 torques on either side that bolts to the diff. I missing four according to your description. The yoke has three bolts that hold it in place. After you unscrew the 3 bolts that hold the diff up do you have to slide back to disengage the (Yoke)drive axle? The price from benz is atleast $800. so I am looking to do it myself. Thanks for the yoke ubdate. The breather I plan on replacing as well as the bolts that you mentioned. The modified rear cover I will check into. Any advice I appreciate.

George

[Gilly]

I thought it was more than 6/ea holding the half-shafts onto the flange, could be wrong, you're "the man on the scene" though. you can just remove the 3 bolts holding the flex disc to the yoke, then there should be enough play to slide the driveshaft forward to get the diff removed. I don't know what you mean by "3 bolts holding on the yoke". Once the 3 bolts are removed holding the flex disc to the yoke, there is one large central nut holding the yoke on, OH that has to be replaced too!
I am not suggesting that you need a new breather, I am saying is if it's puking oil out the breather that there is a new rear cover design available, it has a shield added in front of the breather.
Gilly