I've got oil leaking out of the differential housing from the front (behind the flange). I bought a replacement pinion seal MB part # 025 997 00 47 at the dealership here and asked about the pinion nut wrench (tool to remove the nut holding the flange onto the diff) (? not sure if I understand how it all fits together, if I'm wrong, please let me know). Someone told me that MB makes a special tool just for that use and I should use it after removing the three bolts holding the pinion to the flange and before pulling the flange (so, where do I get a flange-puller for that size, anyhow, and what is it called?). Well, today the MB Direct Parts people in NYC told me that that tool isn't avail. in the US.
And, I emailed mercedesshop about this and other things and was told that "You should be able to get this from any tool company. If you can get the nut size, I'm sure we can supply it." So, which is right?
Thanks.
Edited for P.S.: Was planning on jacking this up, onto jack stands, get under Hilda, open the hexagonal socket plug on the right back of the housing and stick a mangetized screwdriver in there to see if any bits of metal stick, replug the plug, move back to the front of the housing, undo the bolts holding the flange on shaft, pull the flange (
what do I use for this?), use the special MB magic tool which may not exist to remove the nut, open it up, remove the seal which is probably shredded, put on the new seal I got at MB, close it up, reattach the nut and then the flange, go to the back and add 80W90 gear oil to the housing ...but the car will be on an angle so I don't know if I'll be adding too much ... and then replace the plug. If I had found lots of metal in the oil at the beginning, I'll call the mechanic and make an appointment.
Is that how it goes?