Bad Differential?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
'02 C230K
Bad Differential?
There seems to be a high incedence of differential failures in the forum. Some questions for those who have had replacements:
1>how many miles?
2>first symptoms? ie. seeping from cover before noise?
3>build date of car? perhaps a bad batch... or a poor design?
4>any techs see a TSB?
5>mods? ie. pulley?
6>How assertive did you have to be to get replacement?
7>the big q>>does a pulley mod void the warranty on the diff?
Thanks, mine is seeping but still quiet.
1>how many miles?
2>first symptoms? ie. seeping from cover before noise?
3>build date of car? perhaps a bad batch... or a poor design?
4>any techs see a TSB?
5>mods? ie. pulley?
6>How assertive did you have to be to get replacement?
7>the big q>>does a pulley mod void the warranty on the diff?
Thanks, mine is seeping but still quiet.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 1
From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
I can't answer any of your questions. 
But I can say with confidence that the pulley cannot cause the diff to fail. It's designed for much higher torque than the pullied 2.3 can ever put out. It certainly can't cause it to leak. Therefore it should still be covered under warrenty. The dealer will surely tell you it's not becuase they don't want to spend the $2k to replace it. Pound your fists and don't take no for an answer.
But I can say with confidence that the pulley cannot cause the diff to fail. It's designed for much higher torque than the pullied 2.3 can ever put out. It certainly can't cause it to leak. Therefore it should still be covered under warrenty. The dealer will surely tell you it's not becuase they don't want to spend the $2k to replace it. Pound your fists and don't take no for an answer.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 711
Likes: 1
Good point by Avlis
The reasoning goes like this: if C32 uses the same diff, you could go to about 332 lb-ft (349HP) before anyone could say you overstressed it by your mod. Therefore your pulley could not cause a problem.
BTW the C32 uses a 3.06 final gear ratio, do you know C230Ks? If same ratio probably the same diff.
BTW the C32 uses a 3.06 final gear ratio, do you know C230Ks? If same ratio probably the same diff.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: ft ladi
'02 c230 coupe
My differential went at 6500 miles. I dont know how, but it sounded like a machine gun was going off in the back. Dealer replaced whole rear in three days, no questions asked. No seeping and car was built in 3/02. No mods.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,924
Likes: 1
From: Sitting behind thing freakin desk of mine. Dreaming I was playing my Taylors, and driving my Benz. Long Live The VRAA!!!!!!
C230 Sports Coupe
Originally posted by Lynn
They use the same differential. There are at least five ring and pinion sets for it, so MB can select the proper gearing for the various engine and transmission combinations.
They use the same differential. There are at least five ring and pinion sets for it, so MB can select the proper gearing for the various engine and transmission combinations.
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
White C230 Coupe, Leather, Evolution, Panorama, Heated seats, Bose, Factory Alarm
I noticed a whining noise when I am travelling at 80kph..
the mech at the dealership determined that the Rear diff is the cause.. and they have ordered a new diff for replacement.
I am waiting for a new diff to arrive from Germany. Should arrive in about 2-3 weeks.
I noticed the whining noise when I had about 10,000 kms (6000 miles?) on the odometer.
I currently have 16,000 Kms on my odometer.
I wonder if the other C-class cars ever have this problem...
like the 240, 320 or the C32.
the mech at the dealership determined that the Rear diff is the cause.. and they have ordered a new diff for replacement.
I am waiting for a new diff to arrive from Germany. Should arrive in about 2-3 weeks.
I noticed the whining noise when I had about 10,000 kms (6000 miles?) on the odometer.
I currently have 16,000 Kms on my odometer.
I wonder if the other C-class cars ever have this problem...
like the 240, 320 or the C32.
