Hello esteemed M'Benzers!
I've got an '89 300e (W124 w 103.983 engine) and I'd like to know the following:
Did this car some with a limited slip differential? If so, how do I know for sure?

One evening (while in a particularly mischievious mood) I was in a deserted parking lot. I came to a stop, applied the brakes, shifted the lever to 2, kept the foot on the brake and hit the throttle. I got some wheelspin and a little wiggle out of the butt-end of the car and off I went.

I drove through the same parking lot the next day in the daylight and was surprised to see that there were TWO short rubber stripes on the asphalt, side by side rather than just one!!!

It would appear that my precious smile-maker has been equipped with a limited slip differential. Is there some build-plate or listing of equipment that I can consult to determine if (in fact) my baby has a limited slip diff?

Your wealth of knowledge is eagerly awaited.



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Jay Yambrovich
1989 300 E
1992 190-E 2.3

I have not seen any of these with the limited slip, but there is always a first. To see, all you have to do is look at the rear cover of the diff. If it is a limited slip, there will be a tag that says something like "specialdifferentialfluid". This is the tag that indicates special high heat fluid needed.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
300E
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM
OWNER OF MB AUTOWERKS .COM

US W124 cars Never had limited slip as an option.

I too will be shocked if it is limited slip. If the tag were gone you could tell by raising both rear wheels and turning one wheel. If the other wheel turns in the same direction it's a limited slip, if it turns in the opposite direction, it is standard spider gears.

Good luck,

------------------
Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Wow,
I had mine on the rack one day and spun one of the rear wheels. The wheel on the opposite side turned the same way. I did not realize that this indicated that it had a limited slip diff. Anyways, I was unable to find a tag on the diff. prior to changing the diff. fluid and went with Mobil Synthetic 75-90W gear oil. Is this the proper lube for this diff?
thanks,
engatwork
'95 E320
'97 Honda CRV

If you have a limited slip in your W124 chassis then it must be a EURO car as U.S. spec cars NEVER had that option!

The wheel turning the same way test works with the driveshaft locked(in park, or a manual transmission in gear). Sorry I didn't clarify more.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

I doubt it is posi but the M1 75w90 does have the posi additive in it anyway.

__________________
Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

I've seen (old) cars with NO LSD that presumably are a little worn out - both wheels turned the same way when turning one (but not as convincingly as on an LSD car - it still 'feels' right and easier if you turn each wheel opposite ways = no LSD)


So there is that to remember I guess

__________________
190E's:
2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver
2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall.jpghttp://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall2.jpg

I thought he might be still eagerly awaiting information...

More seriously, It's nice to dig up old threads, as I'd never have learnt about the 300E having an LSD if we hadn't revisited it


Russ

__________________
190E's:
2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver
2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall.jpghttp://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall2.jpg

I didn't realize this thread was 5 years old. But at least he got his answer!

__________________
Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k