The rear diff in my '88 190e 2.3 was making quite a bit of noise in low speed turns and also when unloaded at highway speeds so I purchased a used diff from PotomacGerman out of a '91 190e, different ratio(3.27 versus 2.?? in the old one). Other than possibly needing to sway the driveshaft flange, the guys at PG said it should work.

After pulling the old diff, I found that the driveshaft flange bolts up ok but not the axle flanges. Are the axle flanges interchangable?

The guys at PG said the diff they were sending was nonABS(as is my car), but the diff that arrived has what I assume is a speed sensor. Is there a chance that the wrong diff got shipped or would it matter? Thanks again.

zip

i dont know about the sensor, but a 3.26 gear was used in the 190 16v, and i think it has posi. your stock one was 3.23 according to my mb buyers guide so the ratio is very close and should cause no problems. but the 16v may have carried heavier axles, hence the axle matchup prob.

good luck

i am sure someone will chime in who knows more than this.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Has anyone pulled these axle flanges before? Are they splined the same way inside the diff? Any help is apreciated.

zip

Zip,

Apparently, there was a changeover from one style of axle flanges to another style. See this link for additional help. http://2phast.com/190E/lsd.htm
It will be up to you (or someone else on this forum) to determine the breakoff point between the two styles. By the way, just ignore the fact that the guy in the link is installing an LSD differential. They key is the year of the axle.

Edit: Sorry, senior moment was in progress. The axle flanges will be interchangeable. While the diffs are out of the car, put them on the bench. Open them up and remove the C clips that retain the flanges inside the diff. Do this on both the new and old diff. Exchange flanges and mount the new diff with the old flanges. This is literally a 10 minute job if the diffs are on the bench.

Good luck,
Tom

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1993 300TE
1984 300D
1984 300SD
1976 BMW R90S

Tom,

Thanks very much. The flanges swapped out very easily.

zip