Front axle servicing

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Fillan
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Joined: 09.11.2003
Location: West Devon

I need to replace the differential in my front axle 300GD 460
Any good advice about sourcing tools and the best manual is welcome
Any one fitted a second hand diff to an axle ?

mortinson
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Joined: 05.11.2003
Location: Old beehive, Madrid, Spain
MB Tools are vital!

Fillan,

I had my front diff refurbished a few months back. Problem is that my mechanic has yet to get hold of the special MB tool that measures the distance in which the pinion enters the crown (or something like that) and this causes the gears to whine over a certain speed.

With regards to the manuals, obviously the set offered by the GWOA in CD rom covers this extensively, but without that special tool it is a bugger.

Cheers,

John
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Joined: 05.01.2004
Location: Scottish Borders
Front axle servicing

Hey everyone, Jesus said the B word on this hallowed shite oops, I mean site.

John
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Joined: 05.01.2004
Location: Scottish Borders
Front axle servicing

Hows does Jesus gets to say bugger but I get *** when I say shite?

mortinson
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Joined: 05.11.2003
Location: Old beehive, Madrid, Spain
B*****!

John wrote:
Hows does Jesus gets to say bugger but I get *** when I say s****?

Bugger, bugger and bugger!

Have you not read my name? You obviously haven't..... 'cause if you had, you'd know by now that I've got a heavenly dispensation.

guerdeval
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Joined: 06.11.2003
Location: cornwall
heavenly dispensation!

Never heard it called that before, magic wand maybe.

Rustbucket
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Joined: 17.12.2003
Location: Penicuik, Scotland.
Front axle servicing

Or Tool. :lol:

whelanrob
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Joined: 10.11.2003
Location: ireland
with regard to the original question

As Jesus says,changing a diff is not so easy,.You need a "spreader",to flex the cast iron diff casing open enough to allow the crownwheel out,you would also need a torque wrench and the slotted nut tool to change the pinion,a new collapsible spacer,(possibly several),to set the pinion bearing preload and some means of measuring the relationship between crownwheel and pinion,the mesh.If you get the mesh wrong on hypoid diffs,they can destroy themselves in a short space of time,I believe.I think it can be done with engineers blue as opposed to instruments but I would'nt think it is for the novice,which I am and I think you maybe.If it was me I would prefer to change the whole axle rather than individual items.If you persist with your plan then I would recomend also checking the benzworld site as there is good info there,also 4x4abc.com
bob

Fillan
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Joined: 09.11.2003
Location: West Devon
Front axle servicing

Many thanks for the advice
I will obtain a new torque wrench ,slotted nut tool and a manual.
Yes I am definitely a novice when it comes to axle maintenance but
you have to start somewhere
Problem is I have an axle with stripped teeth on pinion and diff and another
banana shaped axle with good innards?. Driveshafts were a bit sad though.
Got another axle with clicking driveshafts but thats another project.
Will have a go anyway