W164 front diff

[wart67]

Hi all I have a 2006 ml320 cdi the problem is the noise from front diff sounds like a bearing has failed anybody know if it can be refurbished or is it a new one

 

[mickeyJ]

Yup, definately servicable,despite what MB tell you!
In the process of overhauling mine at the moment. 4 Bearing set available from Henderson Bearings UK

 

[wart67]

Yup, definately servicable,despite what MB tell you!
In the process of overhauling mine at the moment. 4 Bearing set available from Henderson Bearings UK

Hi m8 thanks for the reply can you let he know how you get on with it and if it's something I could do as I'm like a pig with a hammer

 

[zipdip]

I would suggest that if you have to ask if it is something you can do the answer is no,if you cannot face the cost of a new one,I would suggest you buy a second hand one on ebay a good one about £90 plus some diff oil it is not a hard job to remove,MickeyJ may be a experienced mechanic sure you need 4 bearings which are not cheap,a number of different tools and some means to press the bearings in their housings.

 

[kid-jensen]

When looking for a second-hand diff, what years would fit, or are all the W164s same?

What about a W166 front diff, are these the same ?

It's good to have a bigger pool of parts to choose from...

 

[zipdip]

Well you need to know the ratio of your diff it is on a metal plate on the diff,I have no idea if different vehicles diffs would fit,suggest you stick to W164's

 

[mickeyJ]

Hi m8 thanks for the reply can you let he know how you get on with it and if it's something I could do as I'm like a pig with a hammer

My first thought was to buy a second hand unit but then it,s not really knowing where it came from and what condition it,s in is the problem. I remember buying a second hand diff for a range rover many years ago after assurances from the seller that it was a good un. Turned out it was worse than the unit it was supposed to replace !

Anyway, job done now and the diff is quiet, making the car a pleasure to drive again.
The only snag that I encountered was with the shaft pinion crush collar. Apart from the oil seals, there are no parts available from either Mercedes or ZF for these diffs. The bearings are readily available but the pinion shaft crush collar unfortunately has to be re-used. Bit of a no-no really but needs must. When I took it out it was 21mm length. I peened it out to 22mm and all went back together nicely.
4 bearings to press out and 4 to refit so a good bench press and ancillaries are essential.
The Diff itself is very simple and straightforward so I would suggest that if you don,t have the necessary tools or are a bit unsure, find a good transmission specialist in your area, remove the diff and drop it off with them with a bearing kit and oil seals.(£140 in total) With the proper facilities, the work should only take them an hour or so.

 

[kid-jensen]

Good to know it can be done with a bit of perseverence and knowledge. It's bloody expensive otherwise!