So I finally got this one on the lift and got into it 2014 E350 4matic with 160k miles. Found the front universal (crossing bearing in paper mill talk
) laying in the plastic pan under engine and the front drive shaft flopping around. Thankfully no more damage than needing to replace the shaft and the "cover" around the front differential.
Tore it down and it seems that there is a small reservoir with drain and fill at the very back of the transfer case and from what I've read you fill this area with 600 ml of transmission fluid (blue in this case). It beats me why MB decided, in their infinite wisdom, to put a convoluted gearset in with what looks like a cv joint for the driven end of the shaft going forward
. I'm wondering if I should try to add grease to this area, I've got to look a little closer look at it.