I am replacing both shafts. I read the diy threads over and over. Got the fill and drain plugs loose. Don't have a lot of room between fuel tank and those two 22mm bolts holding diff. I intend to remove 4 bolts holding diff mount to frame. Will this allow diff to come down enough for me to remove those 22mm bolts? It looks to me like there are additional bolts holding the differential to the frame - not just at the diff. bearing mount. Those bolts (closer to the flex disk look like they are a real pain to get to.

I guess my questions are:

Can I lower the differential on this car by only removing the 4 bolts?

Is the 300td diff different from those 300d diffs in the pictorial diy threads?

(also posted in tech forum)

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2009 E320 Bluetec 117,000
1995 E300D 306,000 Sold
1996 Ford Taurus LX 130,000 Sold
1985 300TD Still 225,000 Sold
2016 Ford Fusion 24,900

yup.
those 4 13mm bolts hold the diff/subframe up in position. when you take them out, you can remove the diff cover. no need to remove the 22mm bolts. if you are just changing axles, and diff oil, that's all you'll need to remove. pop the clips out, and the axle will slide out. keep track of the washers on the axle ends. keep them oriented so the replacement axles will line back up correctly.
are you putting in Chinese new axles, or reman OE axles?

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I was expecting that I was going to have to lower or raise the differential in order to have enough clearance to remove the shafts. I read a lot of threads about having to remove shocks, trailing arms, brake calipers, etc., to allow for clearance to wiggle shafts in and out of the differential.

My 300td is my hunting/fishing/canoe hauling rig. I drive it a lot in summer and winter, but not much in Spring. It's in my garage on jack stands now. I have extremely limited time so I'm doing one step each night. Tonight, I'll remove the four bolts and cover...hopefully.

I intend to send the original shafts to the place in Denver and have them rebuilt and returned. I can afford to leave the car out of commission for a few weeks. I will also replace the seals.

__________________
2009 E320 Bluetec 117,000
1995 E300D 306,000 Sold
1996 Ford Taurus LX 130,000 Sold
1985 300TD Still 225,000 Sold
2016 Ford Fusion 24,900

ya know...
I sell rebooted axles from UNDAMAGED original MB shafts...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

the consensus here is the original axles are FAR superior to any rebuilt axles available. as long as the original boot has not torn and leaked out the original lube. I ONLY rebuild axles that are still sealed, and never rebuilt.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

check your pm

__________________
2009 E320 Bluetec 117,000
1995 E300D 306,000 Sold
1996 Ford Taurus LX 130,000 Sold
1985 300TD Still 225,000 Sold
2016 Ford Fusion 24,900