Most neglected simple maintenance is the differential fluid change
06-15-2016, 10:19 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Most neglected simple maintenance is the differential fluid change
The most neglected simple maintenance service seems to be the differential gear fluid change. I was certainly guilty of this until recently at 119,000 km when I finally did this very simple less then 1/2 hr maintenance on my 2006 CL230.
*****My manual states to use 85W90 gear oil HOWEVER be advised that Mercedes has revised this to 75W-90 gear oil.
Up until now I imagined this to be a complicated task, but it was anything but that.
(1)Bought a ltr of Lucas Synthetic 75W-90 gear oil. ($19 Ca) and a simple gear oil pump from Princess Auto ($ 9.95 Ca)
(2) Removed the top hex filling bolt and bottom drain bolt. ( both are 14mm)
(3) Obviously allow the old fluid to drain, replace the drain bolt, fill, replace the fill bolt and your done.
Just found test results on major brands of gear oil and it seems that the Lucas I used was not the best choice - This is the link showing the test results.
http://www.lastgreatroadtrip.com/wp-...comparison.pdf
*****My manual states to use 85W90 gear oil HOWEVER be advised that Mercedes has revised this to 75W-90 gear oil.
Up until now I imagined this to be a complicated task, but it was anything but that.
(1)Bought a ltr of Lucas Synthetic 75W-90 gear oil. ($19 Ca) and a simple gear oil pump from Princess Auto ($ 9.95 Ca)
(2) Removed the top hex filling bolt and bottom drain bolt. ( both are 14mm)
(3) Obviously allow the old fluid to drain, replace the drain bolt, fill, replace the fill bolt and your done.
Just found test results on major brands of gear oil and it seems that the Lucas I used was not the best choice - This is the link showing the test results.
http://www.lastgreatroadtrip.com/wp-...comparison.pdf
Last edited by anerussis; 06-17-2016 at 10:53 AM.
06-15-2016, 02:45 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
While you're down there, replace the fuel filter, at least on the older models.
Not sure where M272 based models have the fuel filter,
on my 2006 ML it's in the gas tank.
Don't you love that whale blubber smell of the diff oil.? Wheewww!!
I think you only need to do it every 100K miles.
Done mine twice now, at 230K.
I used some Castrol GL5 hypoid in mine, so far so good.
Didn't go with Synth since wasn't sure if it might cause any trouble with the bearings.
Not sure where M272 based models have the fuel filter,
on my 2006 ML it's in the gas tank.
Don't you love that whale blubber smell of the diff oil.? Wheewww!!
I think you only need to do it every 100K miles.
Done mine twice now, at 230K.
I used some Castrol GL5 hypoid in mine, so far so good.
Didn't go with Synth since wasn't sure if it might cause any trouble with the bearings.
06-16-2016, 02:52 PM
#4
I'm about to change mine, my 2002 C220 CDI has almost 320 000 km and Im pretty sure it has never been changed! (Tried once already but the bolt was completely stuck and I broke the wrench socket!!!)
O bought 2 Liters of FUCHS SINTOPOID SAE 75W-90 (spec API GL-5 / MIL-L-2105 D)
Searching for the correct MB approval i believe it should be MB 235.7 (FUCHS SINTOPOID FE SAE 75W-85).
Do you think ill be fine with 70w-90?
O bought 2 Liters of FUCHS SINTOPOID SAE 75W-90 (spec API GL-5 / MIL-L-2105 D)
Searching for the correct MB approval i believe it should be MB 235.7 (FUCHS SINTOPOID FE SAE 75W-85).
Do you think ill be fine with 70w-90?
Last edited by bibauporto; 06-16-2016 at 03:07 PM.
06-16-2016, 03:09 PM
#5
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2005 C230K SS
The most neglected simple maintenance service seems to be the differential gear fluid change. I was certainly guilty of this until recently at 119,000 km when I finally did this very simple less then 1/2 hr maintenance on my 2006 CL230.
*****My manual states to use 85W90 gear oil HOWEVER be advised that Mercedes has revised this to 75W-90 gear oil.
Up until now I imagined this to be a complicated task, but it was anything but that.
(1)Bought a ltr of Lucas Synthetic 75W-90 gear oil. ($19 Ca) and a simple gear oil pump from Princess Auto ($ 9.95 Ca)
(2) Removed the top hex filling bolt and bottom drain bolt. ( both are 14mm)
(3) Obviously allow the old fluid to drain, replace the drain bolt, fill, replace the fill bolt and your done.
*****My manual states to use 85W90 gear oil HOWEVER be advised that Mercedes has revised this to 75W-90 gear oil.
Up until now I imagined this to be a complicated task, but it was anything but that.
(1)Bought a ltr of Lucas Synthetic 75W-90 gear oil. ($19 Ca) and a simple gear oil pump from Princess Auto ($ 9.95 Ca)
(2) Removed the top hex filling bolt and bottom drain bolt. ( both are 14mm)
(3) Obviously allow the old fluid to drain, replace the drain bolt, fill, replace the fill bolt and your done.
06-17-2016, 09:12 AM
#6
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Thread Starter
My manual shows 85W90 and when I went to buy from my local Benz dealer at $55 /ltr I noticed that the containers showed 75W90 - when I questioned this they told me that Mercedes had issued a bulletin to now use 75W90. Wasn't going to spend $55/ltr from Benz so I thought 75W90 from Parts Source at $19 CA/ltr.
06-17-2016, 09:23 AM
#7
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06-17-2016, 10:53 AM
#8
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http://www.lastgreatroadtrip.com/wp-...comparison.pdf
06-17-2016, 11:14 AM
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2005 C230K SS
Well the plot thickens....85W90 is no longer approved for W203, only to be used on older ML trucks. Some dealers are trying to deplete their stock and will happily sell it to you. New MB approval for W203 rear ends is 75W90, part 001 989 3703, runs about $35 per quart. Approved non-MB brands include Mobil 1 delvac 75W90 heavy duty, only comes in gallon jugs for about $60.
I just did my diff with 85W90 less than 6 months ago, guess I have to re-do the job....
Edit: the mobil 1 delvac comes in quart bottles too, good luck finding them though...
I just did my diff with 85W90 less than 6 months ago, guess I have to re-do the job....
Edit: the mobil 1 delvac comes in quart bottles too, good luck finding them though...
Last edited by RWDlifer; 06-17-2016 at 11:17 AM.
06-17-2016, 12:09 PM
#11
Junior Member
Well the plot thickens....85W90 is no longer approved for W203, only to be used on older ML trucks. Some dealers are trying to deplete their stock and will happily sell it to you. New MB approval for W203 rear ends is 75W90, part 001 989 3703, runs about $35 per quart. Approved non-MB brands include Mobil 1 delvac 75W90 heavy duty, only comes in gallon jugs for about $60.
I just did my diff with 85W90 less than 6 months ago, guess I have to re-do the job....
Edit: the mobil 1 delvac comes in quart bottles too, good luck finding them though...
I just did my diff with 85W90 less than 6 months ago, guess I have to re-do the job....
Edit: the mobil 1 delvac comes in quart bottles too, good luck finding them though...
(at Autozone for 10.99/qt). Same as delvac?
Amsoil seems to be the best but hard to get. Used it in my BMW.
06-18-2016, 12:12 AM
#12
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2005 C230K SS
BTW I was off on the part # I gave earlier, it's 001 989 3303 for the MB stuff...I had erroneously typed the last four as 3703.
06-19-2016, 02:24 AM
#13
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A small rare-earth magnet attached to inside of drain bolt on differential is a useful mod for capturing any tiny metal shards that might try to swim around in there & wreak havoc on bearings & gear meshes. MB says diff is 'sealed for life' but my driver's side inner CV axle seal started leaking @223k miles so swapped in some Amsoil severe gear 75w90 when seal was replaced along with magnet on drain bolt.
06-19-2016, 04:39 PM
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2007 Mercedes E550
Just found test results on major brands of gear oil and it seems that the Lucas I used was not the best choice - This is the link showing the test results.
http://www.lastgreatroadtrip.com/wp-...comparison.pdf
http://www.lastgreatroadtrip.com/wp-...comparison.pdf
06-19-2016, 05:43 PM
#15
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10-11-2016, 02:40 PM
#17
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At roughly 97k miles I did a rear differential & 6spd transmission flush last Feb. using Red Line 57904 (75W90) Synthetic Gear Oil in the rear diff and Red Line (50204) SAE 75W80 API GL-4 in the transmission.
Currently at 102k and both rear diff and transmission operate smoothly!
DIY: 2002 C230 6Mt Komp Transmission & Differential Oil Change
Currently at 102k and both rear diff and transmission operate smoothly!
DIY: 2002 C230 6Mt Komp Transmission & Differential Oil Change
Last edited by Norsk_Johnson; 10-11-2016 at 02:52 PM.
03-03-2018, 07:18 AM
#18
Junior Member
At roughly 97k miles I did a rear differential & 6spd transmission flush last Feb. using Red Line 57904 (75W90) Synthetic Gear Oil in the rear diff and Red Line (50204) SAE 75W80 API GL-4 in the transmission.
Currently at 102k and both rear diff and transmission operate smoothly!
DIY: 2002 C230 6Mt Komp Transmission & Differential Oil Change
Currently at 102k and both rear diff and transmission operate smoothly!
DIY: 2002 C230 6Mt Komp Transmission & Differential Oil Change
New MB owner here-how does one know which is the current approval?
03-03-2018, 09:28 AM
#19
Super Member
which is 75w85
https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/235.7_en.html
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03-09-2018, 09:14 AM
#20
Junior Member
Have been reading on this subject. Not looking to raise a tail with MB fluid spec publication. Just trying to get a hold of the way things work for my own understanding. Now then, what I gather is that 75W is the weight, and that an 85W would be a thicker oil than the former. The second number is the up to, if you will, protection temp. An xxW85 would be for daily driving, a higher notation such as xxW140 would be suited for high stress such as active racing. So is it correct to conclude that a daily driver would be ok with a 75W85 as it would with a 75W90 oil? In the latter case that it just means that oil has a higher max protection temp. In which case if the two cars aren't involved in active racing they both should be fine?
12-24-2023, 08:58 PM
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'03 c240
Does anyone have the service bulletin that was sent out regarding the fluid change from 85w90 to 75w85?
my manual states 85w90 and the dealer says the fluid is 75w85 part number A 001 989 33 03 09
need to change a 2003 C240 sedan differential fluid
my manual states 85w90 and the dealer says the fluid is 75w85 part number A 001 989 33 03 09
need to change a 2003 C240 sedan differential fluid
