The most important thing is preload on bearings, too tight or loose will result in bearing failure! If you can get at least 40-50 ft/lbs of torque on nut & not have too much preload on bearings the rear should be OK. This is why many rear ends fail after pinion seal replacement. Use in/lb torque wrench to check & set-up preload.

Missed question about side bearing preload, again the preload on the diff bearing are critical also. have set-up at least 100 MB rears & never used case "stretcher".
There are at least 4 different rears that Benz has used, what year & model car?

------------------
MERCEDES BENZ MASTER GUILD TECHNICIAN
ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN
27 YEARS DEALER M.B. Shopforeman
190E 2.3 ITS RACECAR
1986 190E 16V

[This message has been edited by M.B.DOC (edited 03-29-2000).]