Differential gearbox servicing? for W210

[Kianbeng]

Hi all,

 

Recently I noted a whining noise from the rear wheels when the speed is near to 100km/h. Initially I thought it was a wheel bearing problem and went to purchase 1 set ready for replacement. But just before I sent it for replacement, I realised that the whining noise went away when you do not accelerate. That means the sound is not speed induced but rather acceleration induced.

 

Upon reaching my workshop, I checked with the mechanic and he says my MB W210 has a differential gear box at the rear tyre. He claims it's not serviceable and usually replaced completely with a spare. Is it true? I thought differential gearboxes should also have some transmission fluid?

 

Anyone encountered this before?

 

Anyway the spare wheel bearings that I have on hands, I think I'm just going to keep it for future replacement although the shop is very ok for me to return it. Anyway the bearings' isn't expensive and the mileage is already 110k. Anyone knows the normal replacement period for wheel bearing?

[Yeobh]

The crown and pinion gears have too much clearance due to wear and tear. Normally the whole diferrential unit will have to remove so as to allow the mechanics to do shiming to the pinion gear. The whole excercise it to get sufficient clearance/contact between the pinion and crown gear so that suffcient gear oil will remains between the two rotating component sufaces. This job is highly skill and precision job - no many mechanics in Spore have the knowledge and skill.

Try using thicker gear hopefully the problem will be taken care.

[Kianbeng]

How do I go about it? ie, visit those specialised auto gearbox shops and ask them to service the rear differential gearbox?

 

I assume the ATF for the gear box infront is different from the rear differential gearbox?

 

I think most ppl would ignore this as the noise level is not significant? Coz most of the time when normal workshops change ATF for gearbox, they are only referring to the front gearbox where you can do normal servicing ie, change filter, gasket, ATF....

 

Should I wait till the problem becomes more obvious?

[Octopus]

I believe differential gears is GL5 specification, close to manual transmission gear (usually GL4 spec.) oil but got more extreme pressure additive. Can try Redline or Amsoil gear oil, see if the noise reduce.

[Kianbeng]

The thing is....my regular workshop take it as a black box. He says if it's spoilt, replace the whole differential gearbox usually. No servicing.

 

Think he is not specialised in gearbox so he's worried to take it out. Think I'll have to visit Khang Transmission.....

[Octopus]

I believe the differential oil can be changed. Use a good GL5 spec gear oil.

 

Do check out this linky on differential oil change, I didn't sign-in so could not see the photos...

 

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210-e-cla...oil-change.html

[Yeobh]

Both Gear box oil and differential oil are different - do not mix. My suggestion is to drain the differential oil out - chance it has never been replace and it not fuctioning as lub anymore.