I am a new member as of today and have a 1979 450 SLC whihc has a slight drip from the rear differential housing. Is this merely a gasket replacement task or is it something more serious? Is this a do it yourself job for me? Mileage is 152,000.
Thank you in advance for all input.
Kurt

I wouldn't suggest a DIY pinion seal replacement, the axle seals are not real fun. The rear cover is sealed with sealer and an illusive leak is often caused by overfilling and fluid getting blown from the breather on top. I'd pull the fill plug and if anything comes out, let it drain untill no more comes ou, replace the plug, clean it up and monitor it.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Thank you Steve

1985 190e rear pinion seal leak

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good day guys.... on me sons 1985 190e merc i raised rear of car and replaced rear brake pads and whilst there decided to check the rear diff oil level as we've had the car only a week ..... so i busted me chops to undo the 14mm plug out and stick me little finger in and absolutely no oil in there to be felt ... so i put in castrol diff oil of about 600 to 750 ml in no problem.. whilst i had the car still up i decided to start and run it to bed the pads in ....i had a look after i stopped motor and there was a drop of oil on the pinion flange where it meets the driveshaft .. and and above that on the body i could see and feel thats where during its life where it has leaked from and on to .... so question is would it be wise for a home mechanic as myself to change the pinion seal or will it take special tools ,methods etc? i have done a couple of other brand cars and found them straight forward to do except the undoing of the large nut inside the pinion gear is the merc 190e very hard to do and a difficult proceedure ( ""any boooby traps to look out for "")? any help appreciated

good day guys.... on me sons 1985 190e merc i raised rear of car and replaced rear brake pads and whilst there decided to check the rear diff oil level as we've had the car only a week ..... so i busted me chops to undo the 14mm plug out and stick me little finger in and absolutely no oil in there to be felt ... so i put in castrol diff oil of about 600 to 750 ml in no problem.. whilst i had the car still up i decided to start and run it to bed the pads in ....i had a look after i stopped motor and there was a drop of oil on the pinion flange where it meets the driveshaft .. and and above that on the body i could see and feel thats where during its life where it has leaked from and on to .... so question is would it be wise for a home mechanic as myself to change the pinion seal or will it take special tools ,methods etc? i have done a couple of other brand cars and found them straight forward to do except the undoing of the large nut inside the pinion gear is the merc 190e very hard to do and a difficult proceedure ( ""any boooby traps to look out for "")? any help appreciated

It`s been couple of years since I bought the seal for my fintail...still haven`t done the job. I was wondering whether marking the position of the grooved nut in relation to the pinion and then,after the installation of the new seal, tightening carefully by small increments to the marked position will do the trick... I know of two changes- using this trick-that did no harm...I have neither the tools,nor the experience to measure bearing initial tension and rolling resistance... Do the w124/w201 still use the grooved nut ($$).I bought the pin wrench socket though

Yep, and what often causes overfilling is they need to be topped off with rear wheels load bearing - not with the car on lift and wheels dangling.