I just finished replacing the axles on my w123 300TD. I'm at the point of re-attaching the differential mount, however when i raise the differential it's off-center enough that I can't get the four bolts that hold the mount to the body started. I've left the mount to differential bolts loose enough that I can move the mount around, but it's still not giving me enough leeway to start those bolts.

Has anyone run into the problem and found a way solve it?

Sounds like its backwards.

I'll double check, but i'm pretty sure it's not backwards. The mis-alignment is a left/right problem anyway, i.e. when I jack the diff back to its operating height the diff mount is too far to the passenger side.

Did you use the correct half-shafts when you redid the rear axle?

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Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Does it have an orientation? Maybe you need to turn it ninety degrees. That was the problem with my Land Rover front driveshaft.

My money is on it not being backward if the problem is left and right location. How far is it off?

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

Not much, just enough that I can't quite get the bolts started, i.e. if I jack it up all the way so the mounting surface is against the car body I can see part of the car body bolt holes showing through the diff mount bolt holes. If I drop the diff down a bit it shifts slightly and i can't quite get them started.

Do you have the car on stands? If so, are the stands on the rear sub frame? It sounds like the sub frame bushings are not allowing the diff to line up. The only thing holding the entire rear suspension and diff in place is the two sub frame bolts, and the rear diff mount. You could try loosening the sub frame bolts. That may give the slack you need to get the mount bolted up.......Rich

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

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EGR block kit
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Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
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I had this problem. I think I used a 2x4 to lever the diff into position. I may have also used a large phillips head screwdriver through the mount hole and into the body to move the mount enough to get a couple of screws started.

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1981 300TD 310k miles
1970 280sel 172k miles
1966 230 Fintail 162k miles

"Where are we going? And why am I in this hand basket?"

Finally got this, mainly by prying on the diff-mount itself which had enough play in it due to its rubber innards.

For the record I think this is also a bit harder to do on a wagon compared to a sedan because the gas tank hangs down lower than and in front of the diff mount. I've done a sedan diff mount several years ago and don't remember having any problems.