The differential of my 16v has developed a whineing sound which gets very annoying a certain speeds. I've tried to cure the problem by changing the oil but it didn't help. So I have two choices - to rebuild the diff or get another one. My question are:

1. Which is better?
2. How much would the rebuild cost (an estimate)?
3. Will a LSD differential from a different model fit ? I've found one from a w124 (300e I think) for $300 ? What is the final drive ratio of the 300e (I belive the 16v is 3.27)?

Joreto
190e 2.5-16v

Try the Redline 85W-140 oil. Yes, the higher number is thicker than the manual calls for but it quiets it down.

Joreto,
First of all, are you sure your 16V has a 3.27:1? In the U.S. only the 2.3 liter model was available and it came with a 3.27:1 LSD. Euro models were fitted with 3.07:1. Your car, being a 2.5, probably has a 3.07:1 but I'm guessing.

Rebuild costs will vary depending on where you are. A rough estimate would be about $500 to $600.

Good luck.

__________________
Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

Joreto,

I second loubapache's recommendation. My Euro 16V developed a whine at normal highway speeds after about 190,000 miles. My son, the current "owner" of the car and I changed the fluid from a standard Redline product to the shockproof version, and the whine went away. The change was done at about 200,000 miles and has stayed away for nearly 6,000 miles. Good Luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Jim Smith

What do you mean by "shock proof version"? My 123 sedan diff whines with 2 or more people in it (350,133 miles) . I have replaced everything in the diff except the ring & pinion gears.

"Shockproof" is a line of gear oil Redline manufactures for racing. According to Redline, it contains a unique solid dispersion which cushions gear teeth to help prevent tooth breakage and allows the use of lower viscosities. It comes with three versions: Heavy, Lightweight, and Superlight.

When my 1991 300E developed some differential whine, I communicated with Redline and advised me against the Shockproof products (although it will quiet the differential the most) because of the street use nature of my car. The Shockproof Heavy is essentially a 80W-250 gear oil.

In stead, Redline recommended me to use the 80W140 Gear Oil. It is for heavily-loaded and low-speed differentials, including limited-slip, and where reduction of limited-slip chatter or gear noise is required.

I bought two quarts and they really quiet down the differential. The whine is still there but much reduced.

Before I bought the 80W-140, I tested with the Wal-Mart brand dino 85W-140 and that quiet down the while as well. But being so thick at hot (140), dino is not a good idea.

The other thing you can try is to get Vavoline's Synthetic blend 85W-140.

Thanks for your replies. I think that I'll do things in the following order - change the oil with one of the recommended if that doesn't help I'll have the diff rebuild $500 - $600 sounds like a resonable price.


Joreto
190e 2.5-16v

My 1995 W124 E220 developed a whine coming home on the motorway yesterday, sounds like the differential to me (changes pitch with speed, winds down when you slow to a halt - sound right?). Interested to see what you guys say, but I can't help feeling a little short-changed; I read of 150k plus mileages before this sort of thing happens, mine's just done 77k!! Is diff trouble at all common at this mileage?

Can I do much damage to the car driving it like this before I get it attended to (busy few days coming up - as always!)

cheers

Steve

Stevey, most diff noises are caused by worn pinion bearings, usually resulting from low oil level, you should have no problems driving car until you decide to repair it, just make sure your diff is full of oil.

Cheers, Ozzy

I'm going to try and check it out in a day or two.

It's going in for some work in a couple of weeks anyway. Inlet cam advance mechanism (??) needs replacing.

I thought these things were bulletproof?!

Stevey, before you drive your car, have a look underneath at diff and make sure theres no oil leaks, if its reasonably dry and not wet looking then you should be alright. If it looks oily or is dripping oil you will need to get checked asap, as with most benz diffs, they have a habit of chewing out the pinion seal.

I'll have a look Ozzy, but I've done over a hundred motorway miles since the noise first became apparent. If I've got a leak, would it not have bled itself dry already?

i dont think you need to worry about the differential housing running dry over a short period of time or mileage.you will notice the hump shape design that ensures a reservoir of oil.however i dont recommend forgeting about topping off.

The thread below may be of interest.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=110655

Just my 2 cents. I tried RedLine and another product and I didn't notice a difference. If it did have a quiting effect it must have been minor. My conclusion in my case is fix it or live with it. I have heard others state that it may last a long time before an actual failure. I've been living with it with fixing options consist of new replacement from dealer $3000.00. Junk yard $350-500. 91 300E 4matic LSD Diff. I thinking of selling it in the spring, since it's my winter beater.