differential for 92 300e 2.6

[smcgeary]

Hi all,

So the Diff in my 92 300e 2.6 is shot at 97k. Lots of play and schrapnel seem to make it certain.

I am going to source a diff from a local junkyard but need to know if anyone can give me alternate part#'s that would fit.

My part is 1243503974 it would be followed by 80 or 88 if it was a benz rebuilt.

Anyone know what else would work?

Thanks

[Oldwolf]

Do you know why your differential has failed?

Sorry to hear it btw.

[samiam44]

Let see- basically you have a non-asr 185 mm diff. You need to determine the ratio and find one with the same ratio. There should be quite a good interchange on a diff. W201's also use the 185 mm diff.
185mm is the ring gear- I do believe MB calls them 1.1 liter versus the V8's which are 1.3 liter diffs.



Michael

[400Eric]

Very likely a 3.07 ratio. Pre-90 3.0 300Es also have that ratio.

Your current one should not be dead at 97K. Something is very suspicious. Maybe the car has a turned back odometer or more to the point, a swapped in one?
Regards, Eric

[smcgeary]

Hi guys. It is very odd that the diff is out. Extreme play was the indicator so we decided to drain the diff fluid. What went in originally was standard gear oil about 30k ago. It cam out looking like moly with a good amount of metal chips. After fishing a magnet in it we got lots of schrapnel.

The car was purchased new by my father in 1992 so I can vouch for the mileage. I bought it from him in 97 with 32k on it.

I can say that since new the car has always had a clunk shifting into 3rd or fourth especially when coasting with little load from the engine (certainly downhill)

My dad is the kind of guy that will never complain but my guess is the diff was wrong since day one. It just took twenty years to work its way through.

I did get a diff from Stockton auto dismatlers off of a 91. I will throw it in next week and report back. Supposedly it is the same ratio but at the end of the day if it has a lower ratio I will take the improved fuel economy.

Let you know how it goes.

[400Eric]

If that 91 had a 3.0 instead of a 2.6 the ratio will be a 2.87.
Regards, Eric

[smcgeary]

Well got the new used diff in and all is good. A 2.87 came out and another 2.87 went in. Who knows but I am glad this all worked out.

I am going to post a picture to show the damage inside. Must have been a manufacturing issue from the factory. Incredible amount of play. It clearly looks as though the two metals had a much different hardness grade. Pretty amazing the thing held together for 19 years and 97 k miles.

I now know what the clunking into third and fourth gear was all about. The car also sort of used to make a thud when put in reverse. Also on the way home last night the cruise control did not become rough when going downhill (of and on gas it used to seem). The cruise control used to cut itself out going downhill following the surging of the gas off and on.

All of these items have been present since the car was new. It may have been getting progressively worse over the years but I think the progression of it was like watching grass grow.

Really feels like an entirely different car.