91 300E differential
 

Today as I'm leaving work I accelerated out of the lot and when the car hit third, I heard and felt a bang and that was it. I though I blew the trans. I have no forward or reverse but I can hear the driveshaft turning and what sounds like the rear end turning. No motion. Can 1 axle shaft let go and do this? I know these diffs are fairly bullet proof but I don't know much about the CV joints. I can push the car while in park so I know there's no rear end connection. If the flex disc went I should hear the drive shaft bouncing around in the loop. Nothing is hanging from the diff but I don't know if the axle shaft would do that. Thoughts? Thanks in advance, ANdy

You will not know the nature of the problem until you raise the car safely and investigate.

Keep us posted.

Axle shafts are known to fail. Replaced maybe ten over the years.

Most likely an axle shaft....

91 300E axle shaft
 

Well, it is a broken axle shaft. Snapped in 1/2 right inside of the outer boot. I'm reading a lot of conflicting info on the removal process. I bought an entire used axle shaft and am waiting for it to arrive. Some of the links show an entire disassembly of the rear control arms - it does not seem to me that it's necessary. My CD manual is sketchy on this to say the least. Does anyone know the size/name of the wrench needed to remove the 6 cv joint bolts? Thanks, Andy

i think the 6 bolts that hold axle flange to diff are 8mm allen head.the other end in the wheel should be 13mm head very long bolt.be prepared for some fun driving the end out of the wheel assembly,probably been in there since the year dot.