derek4484

I have an '06 ML500. I was looking in the "approved service materials" manual that came with the vehicle. Apparently there were two different rear differentials installed in these vehicles. One is probably heavy duty for off-roading or something. But, the smaller rear diff (195 mm HAM) accepts the same fluid as the front diff. An 75W-85 or 75W-90 synthetic GL-5 gear oil is fine and approved my M-B. I believe its covered under 235.7. If you have the larger 230mm HAM rear end is a full locking type diff and only accepts M-B fluid part number 0019895903, I beleive this is covered under 235.15. I cant even find any info on this special fluid. It must be really rare.

I just finished rebuilding my front diff and installed a new front driveshaft. I used 1.3 quarts of Royal Purple 75W-90 gear oil for that. I have another quart and half and wanted to replace the gear oil in the rear, but I dont know which rear end my vehicle has. I crawled under there and it's fairly small, about the same shape and size as the front diff, so I would bet its the smaller model. But I really want to be sure.