Differential fluid...what kind and where from?
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2021 Yukon XL Denali, 2017 GLS450 4MATIC, 1993 Chevy Corvette
I think I posted the following in the active thread about transmission fluid accidentally, read on:
Changing the differential fluid (which is the fluid in question here) is always a bit scary. Think about it, you are draining the pumpkin in the back of your car that houses some of the most, if not the most, sensitive gearing componentry in your entire vehicle, and refilling it, closing it up, and crossing your fingers it continues to work! I changed my transmission fluid a month ago with MB branded 85w-90 hypoid gear oil 1.55 L. Cost me $64 to buy the fluid and $10 for a liquid pump at Advance Auto Parts, but I have had smooth sailing/no changes since the fluid swap, which, in my mind, is a very good thing!
Quoting maverik's below post, I would recommend buying MB spec 85w-90.
I purchased it from Autohausaz here: http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...ber=0005830904
Cheers!
Changing the differential fluid (which is the fluid in question here) is always a bit scary. Think about it, you are draining the pumpkin in the back of your car that houses some of the most, if not the most, sensitive gearing componentry in your entire vehicle, and refilling it, closing it up, and crossing your fingers it continues to work! I changed my transmission fluid a month ago with MB branded 85w-90 hypoid gear oil 1.55 L. Cost me $64 to buy the fluid and $10 for a liquid pump at Advance Auto Parts, but I have had smooth sailing/no changes since the fluid swap, which, in my mind, is a very good thing!
Quoting maverik's below post, I would recommend buying MB spec 85w-90.
I purchased it from Autohausaz here: http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...ber=0005830904
Cheers!
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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Hers - 2003 C320. His - 2004 330i zhp 6 speed.
How much differential fluid do I need for a 2003 C320? I am about to order "Mercedes Hypoid Differential Oil; SAE 85 W-90; 1 Liter" from autohausaz.com and need to know if 1 bottle is enough or I need more than 1 liter bottle.
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C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Glyn,
When it came time for me to do my diff, I couldn't find any of the approved oils, and the dealer didn't even carry the approved stuff.
I spoke to the service manager who said pretty much just pick any GL5 75-90 oil like the
Catrol Hypoy C and it would be fine.
So thats what I used.
I am tempting fate?
http://www.lubricants.com/BuyersGuid...OYCGearOil.php
When it came time for me to do my diff, I couldn't find any of the approved oils, and the dealer didn't even carry the approved stuff.
I spoke to the service manager who said pretty much just pick any GL5 75-90 oil like the
Catrol Hypoy C and it would be fine.
So thats what I used.
I am tempting fate?
http://www.lubricants.com/BuyersGuid...OYCGearOil.php
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From: fort worth, tx
06 C230 SS 6spd
Last edited by phister; Feb 8, 2012 at 03:58 PM.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Guys - You know I like sticking to Benz approved products. All their new approvals are "clean gear" synthetics.
That said the diff is the least critical lubrication area of the car as long as you go minimum GL5 although Benz only likes one Lubrizol additive system.
If you can't get the genuine stuff I would go for a synthetic 75W/85 like the Redline.
If you ever develop a whine don't blame me because we are talking about untested products.
That said the diff is the least critical lubrication area of the car as long as you go minimum GL5 although Benz only likes one Lubrizol additive system.
If you can't get the genuine stuff I would go for a synthetic 75W/85 like the Redline.
If you ever develop a whine don't blame me because we are talking about untested products.
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From: fort worth, tx
06 C230 SS 6spd
Yea that's the only problem with these products. But I have friends that Autocross and race their cars and use redline and it hasn't failed them yet.
Last edited by phister; Feb 8, 2012 at 05:18 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Va Beach, VA
05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
Redline also has a 75-90 so if the dealer said any 75-90 I'd go with that...why did you pick the 85 over the 90 out of curiosity?
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From: WNY
2005 w203 C230
Going thru the Spec Sheet and what I could find at the time...this is what I put in our 2005 w203 C230 @65,000 miles...
MTX Transmission = 001-989-26-03-10
Differential = 001-989-17-03-10 85w-90 (Spec 235.7)
Power Steering = BQ-1-32-0001
Hope this helps...
(G-Class, 463) is the ONLY Non-AMG with Spec 235.0
MTX Transmission = 001-989-26-03-10
Differential = 001-989-17-03-10 85w-90 (Spec 235.7)
Power Steering = BQ-1-32-0001
Hope this helps...
(G-Class, 463) is the ONLY Non-AMG with Spec 235.0
Last edited by BF_JC230; Feb 8, 2012 at 08:36 PM.
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c240
I ended up using Mobil 1 LS 75W-90 based on this study..
http://www.synthetic-oil-tech.com/Gear%20Lube%20White%20Paper.pdf
http://www.synthetic-oil-tech.com/Gear%20Lube%20White%20Paper.pdf
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you need 2 bottles and also a small maunal syringe type tool to be able to inject the fluid into the differential chamber. Make sure that you open the fill plug first and then the drain plug....cause if the fill plug is jammed or for some reason you are not able to open it and you have alreday drained the fluid then you will be stuck big time.....just an FYI.....good luck.....I am waiting for the weather to get a little bit better so I can accomplish this........getting the car on those portable ramps in reverser will help in this task.....
javvy
javvy
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From: Jersey City, NJ
2001 C320 w/ Sprt Pkg
I just did my diff fluid about 2-3 weeks ago with Mobil1 75W-90, and so far so good. No issues I can speak of. Can I be at peace with this or should I change it? I have a few posts about "DON'T DO IT" and many others who say it's fine.
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C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
What I've come to realize is that the diffs and transfer cases use standard bearings, packed with standard grease, so it's not quite such a big deal like with tranny fluid etc.
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From: Sarasota area, FL
Current: 2020 E450 with self-driving capability
The only 14mm male hex I could get my hands on is part of a set for $35, so I'm compromising on the gear oil with the Mobil 1 synthetic 75w-90. At my high mileage, I'm thinking it wont make much of a difference and it's certainly better than NOT changing it out. If I get a little whine I'll turn up the stereo. 
