I've been told my an MB factory trained tech that MB rear ends can indeed be rebuilt, but it is such a PITA that almost no one does. Requires a number of special jigs to measure things properly, not at all like a Dana.

Ditto for the manual tannys -- Hans says he could rebuild an NSU three speed in less than an hour with a Cresent wrench and a bit screwdriver and mallet, but an MB fourspeed was beyond him -- the last time he saw one done, it took the factory guy a whole day just to replace the main shaft bearings. Everything is shimmed, and it again requires special jigs to do the correct measuring.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!