W108 280SE Differential Fluid Change

[w1083]

I've tried doing some research online regarding this but have found all sorts of different answers and I'm wondering what is the correct way to go about doing this procedure;

1 - Does anyone know what brand and type of fluid I'll need for a 280SE 3.5? (I don't have the original manual)
2 - Do the rear wheels need to be off the ground to do a drain and fill on the differential fluid?
3 - Do I need to drive the car to warm it up before draining the fluid?
4 - When filling, how do I know if I've filled it to the level it should be?

Any other input or steps to do are appreciated.

[dobrodan]

Drain it and refill it on the ground so the axle tubes drain, more or less. You'll need a cartridge type pump or similar to refill it. Just fill it until it is up to the fill hole.

[rumb]

Make sure you can get the fill plug out first. both plugs can be hard to remove.

It's full when it runs out the fill hole.

Regular diff oil.

[carock]

1. Liqui Moly gear oil comes in a VERY handy 1 liter container which has an extendable spout that makes it very easy to fill the diff through the fill plug with no other tubes, funnels, or pumps. I love it. The Germans really got it right with that one! Every auto parts store will have a pump designed to fit on their gear oil bottle and you can pump the diff oil in from the bottle. Just ask when you buy the bottle or search Amazon for "differential oil transfer pump".
2. No, rear tires can be on the car, but you need enough clearance to reach the fill plug. If you have a set of ramps you can drive the rear wheels up on it. The difference the angle of the car is pretty irrelevant to the amount of fluid that goes in the diff.
3. You can, and probably should, do it with the diff cold.
4. It takes just over a liter. When you pour in too much, it spills back out the fill plug hole.

[w1083]

Thank you all for the replies.

Does anyone know if 85-90 gear oil is what's needed for the M116 3.5 differential?

[INSIDIOUS]

Originally Posted by w1083

Thank you all for the replies.

Does anyone know if 85-90 gear oil is what's needed for the M116 3.5 differential?

M116 is an engine, right? But let's say we are talking W126 vehicles my owners manual says 1.3L capacity Hypoid gear oil SEA 90, 85 W 90. With optional limited slip rear axle a special hypoid oil must be used. MB has specification sheets available for every fluid app, I do not have the link handy, if you can't find it by google I'll find it for you later.

[INSIDIOUS]

Start here https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/category_Gear_Oil.html