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W126 Rear differential leak
When I moved my 560SEL today, I noticed several stains on my cement, notably under where the rear axle was. It smelled like gear lube. Where are the most common spots to leak on these cars?
Thanks, Dave
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Currently Driving: 1986 Mercedes Benz 560SEL 1994 Lincoln Town Car 1994 Cadillac Deville 1985 Lincoln Town Car- Retired The Official Car of a Realtor- Lincoln Town Car The Official Car of the Successful Independent Insurance Agent- Mercedes Benz S Class |
#2
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There are 3 seal rings< any & all leak at some point & time.
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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES) ASE Master Technician Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times) 44 years foreign automotive repair 27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer) MB technical information Specialist (15 years) 190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold) 1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold) Retired Moderator |
#3
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I've seen the gasket on the rear of the differential leak as well, but that appears to be much less likely than the seals.
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-Josh Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time... |
#4
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Okay, sorry it took so long to get back with you guys, but I lifted up the car today, and the lube appears to be leaking from where the passenger driveaxle enters the differential casing. What is involved in replacing that seal? Oh, I saw a set of coil springs under the car when I went under it ??? Shouldn't there be hydrostruts on a 560SEL?
Thanks, Dave
__________________
Currently Driving: 1986 Mercedes Benz 560SEL 1994 Lincoln Town Car 1994 Cadillac Deville 1985 Lincoln Town Car- Retired The Official Car of a Realtor- Lincoln Town Car The Official Car of the Successful Independent Insurance Agent- Mercedes Benz S Class |
#5
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The hydropneumatic struts replace the shock absorbers, but you would still have springs, just differently rated than the ones on the non hydraulic suspension. (at least on the 123 cars I've heard that the spring rate is different...)
I don't know what goes into replacing the seal on the output shaft from theh diff, maybe one of the others will comment on this.
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-Josh Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time... |
#6
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I'm guessing you'll have to remove the passenger side CV-axle to replace the seal. With the axle off it should be quite easy to get at the seal. Then just reinstall the axle, fill the diff back up with oil, and you'll be set.
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
#7
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Quote:
Dave
__________________
Currently Driving: 1986 Mercedes Benz 560SEL 1994 Lincoln Town Car 1994 Cadillac Deville 1985 Lincoln Town Car- Retired The Official Car of a Realtor- Lincoln Town Car The Official Car of the Successful Independent Insurance Agent- Mercedes Benz S Class |
#8
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After cleaning off the differential housing case, I took her for a short test drive. When I got her back up in the air, I could clearly see that the gear lube was coming from where the passenger side output shaft leaves the tranny. How hard is it to pull the output shaft/cv axle so I can get to the seal?
Dave
__________________
Currently Driving: 1986 Mercedes Benz 560SEL 1994 Lincoln Town Car 1994 Cadillac Deville 1985 Lincoln Town Car- Retired The Official Car of a Realtor- Lincoln Town Car The Official Car of the Successful Independent Insurance Agent- Mercedes Benz S Class |
#9
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Its actually not all that hard.
Raise rear of vehicle (or whole vehicle if you have a lift) off the ground, having removed passenger side wheel. In the center of the rear hub you will see a nut. Loosen/remove that, it holds the axle into the splined socket on the rear wheel assembly. Remove the rear cover on the differential/drain fluid. Find the c-clip on the inside of the diff that holds the CV axle in place, remove clip. the axle should have enough side to side play with the car raised up that you can slide it out of one of the ends (either diff or wheel) by moving it back and forth. The seal should be easily replaced with the cv axle out of the way. Reinstallation is the reverse of this. For a more detailed process of it with pics, do a search on the forum for "CV axle replacement" etc...doing some searching will find you some great threads on this. Also, they are likely listed in the "wiki/DIY threads" part of the forum.
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
#10
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My differential was leaking slowly. After cleaning things up I saw the leak was coming from the fill plug. The culprit was the crush washer:
However, I noticed a slight sucking / slurping sound after I pulled the car up on ramps. I had just driven home from work, so the differential was warm and was now cooling. This made me suspect the vent. Sure enough, it was plugged solid. Plugged vent on the left, working vent from my spare diff on the right. Even the non plugged vent was quite grubby. When you change the fluid I would recommend removing the vent and cleaning it. Thanks, -Jason
__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states! Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels. 2014 Cadillac ELR 2013 Fiat 500E. |
#11
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Is there anything inside the vent? Is there gauze or summit like that?
__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits! |
#12
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From what I could see it's sort of like a muffler, there are alternating chambers to keep the gear oil from splashing out.
-J
__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states! Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels. 2014 Cadillac ELR 2013 Fiat 500E. |
#13
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If you go through all the trouble pulling a shaft, I would just do all the seals. I would also swap shafts from side to side if there is any wear on them. Its a good "cheat" to get more life out of them.
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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles 1992 750il / 17k miles - project car |
#14
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Quote:
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#15
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This thread was posted 2008 and the OP hasn't logged in since that year
(Remember, it is always better to post in an existing thread then to start a new one!) Looked things over again, no more leaks -J
__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states! Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels. 2014 Cadillac ELR 2013 Fiat 500E. |
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