Diff Fluid Change
 

Just wondering if anyone knows how hard it is to change the differential oil in a 124(not limited slip)? Thanks in advance.

my back was really bothering me so i asked a local wrench to put my swepco 201 in for me - took him all of 20 minutes. two plugs - one on the side and a drain. be sure to take off the filler plug on the side first to make sure you can get it off before you drain it...

Also, there's a vent that you need to ensure is clean & serviceable.

You'll need a 14mm hex socket (found at most auto parts stores -- got mine at Autozone) and a nice long socket for good leverage.

If the bolts haven't been removed in awhile they'll be pretty tough to get out. With the car jacked up, get underneath there and use your foot for more strength if you have to. USE A JACKSTAND! That's how hard it was for me to loosen those large hex bolts, although mine was being changed for the 1st time at 198k miles :eek:

Get some 90w diff fluid. It took a little over 1.5 quarts to fill my 300E. Also, a pump is recommended to get the fluid up into the hole as there's little room to work up there where the fill hole is located. Pump was $5 at O'Reilly's, and it screws onto the top of the lube containers.

Good luck!

~Paul

The job is a piece of cake. It wasn't that easy to find the 14mm hex key though. I found a 14mm (long) key at a local industrial hardware supply shop for about 8 bucks.

I hoped that Craftsman made one since most of my stuff is Craftsman, but no such luck...

The lube really smells awful, so plan to get rid of it right away rather than having it sit in your drain pan stinking up your garage.

Synthetic differential lubricant should be considered. Low differential cost (sorry, just couldn't help it).

Same issues as for engine and transmission.

It is simply better.

Synthetic is simply better
 

I too run exclusively synthetics, and use Red Line 75W-90 in all my cars. Great stuff, and can handle the high temps associated with sustained high speeds (like I'd drive like THAT;) )

me no like synthetics - went with Swepco, a Porsche Club favorite.
check it out at www.swepcousa.com... :cool: