94 E320 rear differential fluid
 

I think I know the answer but everyones help from this site has been so much help over the years.
I think I should use 85w90 "GL 5" in the rear end. Isnt this oil mixed for a limited slip diff or does this car have a limited slip diff.? If it does, do I need to add any additives?.
Thanks Dan

I use Mobil 1 75W-90 currently and I've run Amsoil Series 2000 75W-90 in the rear-end of my 95 E320. You'll be fine with either of those or any other GL-4 or -5 for that matter if you don't like synthetics. And no they're not limited slip, I wish they were though!!!

It will take just a little over 1 quart to fill it so make sure to buy 2 before you do the job.

I use Redline synthetic 75W90 gear lube
 

Redline is recommended for either regular or limited slip diffs. My E320 is a regular diff but I have traction control, which uses the ABS system to prevent excess wheel spin. Currently I'm trying to remove the drain and fill plugs. They appear well-corroded into place. I found a useful thread in the archives with lots of good tips. (Such as remove the fill plug first) I couldn't locate a 14mm allen wrench locally, so I'm trying to jury rig one by having a friend weld together a 9/16-inch (wrench size) number 8 hardness bolt and nut. The hardware store bolt we first tried was like taffy. Next step is to call the Snap-on man for a socket wrench version.

Tom, try AutoZone if you have one near you. They have the 14mm socket/allen wrenches that are 1/2" drive. Makes getting the plugs loose real easy!! And RedLine is another good synthetic that I've used in the past too, their MTL works like magic in a manual tranny!!

Dale,
No Autozone near me; NAPA can order a standard allen, but I want the socket. I first used Redline MTL in about 1990 in my 'new' 80 bmw. Before the change I could barely move the shifter when it was below zero.
Thanks,
Tom

I've seen them advertised in the performance product catalog, you could go their website and order one as well. I'm not sure if they have one at fastlane you could order or not.

here's a link to a wrench that might work for you. It's not a socket wrench but it looks like it would do the job.

http://www.************************/ProductPage.aspx?productname=Oil+Drain+Wrench&productid=104372&producttype=10

Thanks for the advice!

I finally got the plugs out. My friend finally got around to welding my bolt and nut together. (I took a 14mm wrench down to the Bolt Bin and asked for a bolt with a 9/16 or 14 mm hex head. I think the bolt size was 5/16. Bought a number 8 grade 1-inch bolt and a couple of nuts.) He left a 1/10 inch or so gap between the bolt head and nut, then filled the gap with weld along the middle of each flat side, leaving the corners sharp. In spite of soaking with the catalytic stuff and rapping the plug with a hammer, then repeating a week or two later I still had to grunt with a long breaker bar. The fill plug was really tough. To get past the exhaust pipe using a socket I had to use a 6 inch extension, which I braced using a jackstand as a fulcrum.

Interesting, but probably not worth saving $15 or $20.

The old gear oil looked like molasses, and a fair amount of metal shavings were in the white plastic drain pan after I poured it into a waste bottle. So much for dealer maintenance--I bet it was the original oil. Also, I specifically asked the dealer to change ALL fluids when I bought the vehicle used.

:)

I don't think your car a has limited slip differential. It probably has the lousy ASR system that puts the brake to the wheel that spins and is almost usless on hills in the snow. I have a '94 wagon, if the snow tires aren't 'first season' I don't go anywhere up hills in any kind of snowfall. Do you have the 'snowtire w/ chains' button on your dash? If so that is the equally lousy ASR defeat switch - gives me about 1500 rpm of engine when all tires are slipping. I guess it is a better system than the first generation 4Matic system though - doesn't cost as much to operate.