1981 300D

Hi Guys,

I just changed the differential oil. Straight forward procedure but it could be messy. I didn't need to raise the car. I was expecting a thick, slow-flowing fluid...but when I turned the nut the last thread....splash...a rather forceful stream of oil came out. So be careful and have plenty of rags and newspapers.

Surprisingly, the hex nuts were easy to remove. Maybe the previous owner changed the fluid regularly as it looked like dark honey, not black as I was expecting.

I refilled with Mobil 1 synthetic gear fluid 75W-90. It took a little more than 1 quart. Torque for both nuts was set to 43 ft-lb.

Tools used:

-3/8 drive, 14 mm hex bit (bought it as a set in AutoZone with 2 other bits for $8)
- 3/8 drive, 18 inch long breaking bar
-3/8 drive ratchet.
-3/8 torque wrench.

And yes, plenty of newspapers.