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Originally Posted by bobbyv
A benz service adviser once told me that a manual transmission imparts more wear on the differential, for two reasons:
* because of the positive gearing of a manual transmission, one is able to engine-brake, and this loads up the opposite gearfaces on the differential gears
* with an automatic transmission, the driveline is almost always loaded, since the transmission is almost always left in Drive and braked at a stop (a driveline under load has no more free play in the direction of load). Driving off from a stop therefore imparts less impact loading on the driveline, than in a manual transmission.
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Pure drivel!
My axle was replaced twice under warranty due to noise in float, but never developed excess lash, and the noise was not a reliability issue, but it was very annoying and was quite noticeable because the car is otherwise so quiet.
Clutch type LSDs can develop excess differential gear backlash due to clutch wear, but this isn't an issue with open differentials.
I inquired about the dealer checking and tightening the hypoid backlash to cure the noise problem, but they said they did not have the tools to service the axle, so replacement was the only option. Since it was free I didn't argue, but the first replacement still made noise. Finally the second replacement was quiet, and it's still in the car.
Axle overhaul is a precision process, and I wonder how well most mechanics do the job.
Since axles are normally very long lived components, you may be better off getting one out of a junkyard 190E, 260E or 300E 2.6. All have the same axle. manual or auto with a 3.27:1 gear except early 190Es and 16Vs.
Make sure it has the port for the ABS sensor.
Duke