differential rebuild parts
 

I was wondering where one might be able to obtain parts to rebuild a differential other then from the dealer. I have not seen them listed anywhere on fastlane or any other parts page and I think I should rebuild mine, or at least change the bearings and seals, it whines a lot. I think what I'll do is get a used one for the time being and when I figure out how to rebuild it, rebuild the better one and keep it. Anyone have any better suggestions?

btw it's a 85 190E

xp

The used one sounds good to me. Rebuilding a MB differential is not something one should invest in learning. It requires a number of special tools and techniques not often used.

Bearings are easily available from a good bearing supplier. The generic numbers are right on the bearings. Seals probably can be had from fastlane but the are cheap enough that the dealer works. The gears are only going to be available from MB.

Thanx steve, I was aiming for just the bearings and seals anyway for either differential. I found a nice well maintained 190 at a junk yard I have access to, I'll give them a call and find out how much they want for the differential if I pull it off.

xp

My '88 190E 2.6 axle had a noise problem when new - a high frequency "singing" under float conditions that was very annoying. Their first solution was to swap the entire axle assembly - one that had been specially processed for low noise. (I tried to get them to install a LSD version from the 16V, but the factory rep wouldn't go for it.) They admitted that some 190Es had an axle noise problem, but it had nothing to do with the fact that mine is a rare manual transmission version.

The new diff had the same noise. In conversations with the MB rep and service manager I suggested opening up the axle and altering the backlash, but they said that the axle was not considered a field serviceable item, and I don't think you can buy internal parts through the parts system.

About a year later when my car was in for more of its long saga of warranty work, the service manager told me they were going to swap the axle again. I was lead to believe that it actually had a different ring and pinion tooth count of approximately the same ratio. In any event, the this latest differential was void of the "singing" problem.

I'm glad this car had a 4 year/50K mile warranty as it was really needed. I also have to credit DB with excellent service. They never gave up on any of the myriad problems, but the best new car warranty is the one you never need to use.

Duke

Every part is available from MB. It just depends which field you are in as to whether it is field servicable.

In my above post I advised that the techniques are not worth learning or tooling. That is many dealers approach to all unit repairs: engine, trans, dif, steering gear and maybe others.

I'll just get the new differential then, hopefully that will fix the singing noise as well as the wha-wha-wha noise which is probably coming from a worn out universal flange.... it was badly put together and I missed it, now it's worn out...

xp