Quote:
Originally Posted by lsmalley
All this work I've been doing on my car and I have not done the differential fluid. How does one go about doing this? Where is it located for my W201?
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Step 0: Consult your owners' manual for information on the type and quantity of fluid used in the differential. purchase in advance of the work and write the brand and type down someplace.
Step 1: Drive to the car wash and spend abput 3.00 on hot water and soap to clean off that big round thing in the middle of the rear axle. Wear dirty clothes when you do this at the car wash. A poiece of cardboard or rubber mat to lie on is handy, go at it from both sides.
Step 2: Drive home and let it dry.
Step 3. Assemble these as minimum tools
- hydraulic jack
- two hydraulic jack stands
- two spare rims
- 1 x 1/2" breaker bar with 24" handle
- 1 x 1/2" drive ratchet and short (2") extension
- 1 x 1/2" drive torque wrench
- 1 x allen wrench socket of the correct size
- 1 x oil pan to collect the used lubricant
- Antiseize compound (optional)
Step 4: Set parking brake and put vehicle in park, then use the hydraulic jack to lift up the vehicle and install the jacks under the jacking points per the owner's manual.
Step 5: Get clear of the vehicle and shake it to make sure it is firmly on the jack stands
Step 6: Place a tire rim under each wheel to allow for an emergency space just in case
Step 7: assemble the breaker bar+ Allen socket, lay the mat down, locate the top-mounted fill plug area. Install the Allen wrench firmly and deeply inside the plug, turn counter clockwise and attempt to break the plug free. If necessary, add a pipe to the breaker bar and slowly lever the bar until the plug is free moving.
Step 8: Replace the breaker bar with the ratchet+socket and remove the plug. Clean it thoroughly with gas, parts cleaner, etc until it is 100% clean. Set it aside.
Step 9: Locate the drain plug. Install the Allen socket plus breaker bar and break it free but do NOT remove yet.
Step 10: Place the drip pan under the drain plug area, use the ratchet and socket to remove the drain plug and let fluid drain into the pan. In the meantime clean the drain plug.
Step 11: Optionally, put a thin coat of anti-seize on the drain plug and the fill plug.
Step 12: Gently install the drain plug by hand AFTER all fluid has drained. Then use the Allen wrench to tighten it a little more AFTER you have started it by hand. Use the ratchet to tighten it firmly, then use the breaker bar to provide the final tightening torque.
Step 13: Slowly pour the correct measured amount of fluid into the diff by hand. Wait until it settles, do not pour so fast that you spill. Then install the fill plug as prescribed in step 12 but for this plug.
Step 14: Remove the drain pan and wipe the diff clean at the top and around the drain plug, so that it does not give you a false impression of a leak.
Step 15: Remove all tools from the area under the vehicle until there is nother there but the jack stands.
Step 16: Jack up the kehicle and remove both rims and then, both jack stands. Keep them far out of the way.
Step 17: Slowly lower the vehicle using the hydraulic lift and pull it away from the vehicle.
Step 18: Make certain all tools and equipment are accounted for and clear of the vehicle.
Step 19: Start the car and back it away from the work area. Slide a piece of cardboard under the diff to check for leaks.
Step 20: Conduct recovery-- clean and replace all tools and equipment. Check later for possible leaks and remember that you must safely secure the vehicle before going under it again.
