Autotechnica

Hey guys,

I'm having issues with the install of my Quaife LSD on my 2002 C32 AMG. Although Quaife says their new part number LSD is supposed to work with the 2002 model axles, this doesn't seem to be the case. My car is sitting at Oakridge Auto right now. The axles don't seem to lock into place. At first the tech thought they just pressure fit and lock against the LSD. I drove the car for 2 weeks, the axles got lose and spewed oil all over my exhaust. Basically the axles started moving in and out of the diff. Scary stuff on the highway. I've been trying to get tech support from quaife and work things out with the mechanic, but things don't look good. Worse case senario, I'll have to find a set of '03+ axles and foot the bill. I see a lot of cheap W203 axles for sale on ebay. Anyone know if our cars use the same axles as the rest of the W203 lineup? I can't seem to find C32 axles anywhere, even new.

From all the people I've talked to, it seems like a c-clip is required to lock the stub axles into place. I'm confused when the tech said that they pressure fitted and just locked by themselves against the diff. I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to differentials, so I don't know how they should be installed. Anybody know if special clips or spacers are required for install? The tech says he only used all original hardware. No special hardware came with the Quaife unit.

If anyone has insight into the problem I'm having or has a good set of '03+ axles for sale, please chime in.

thanks,

Bryan

whipplem104

If you do not have retainer clips on the axles then you need them. Early axles that bolt on the clips that hold the axle flanges in the differential are installed from inside with the rear cover removed from the differential. You cannot do this with the Quaife unit and have to add clips. The axle flanges may need to be machined for the clip to fit properly. Really a light cut in the groove for the clips to fit properly. Get the clips for the later one piece axles. They are cheap. I just did this on a earlier Mercedes differential. Different model but same idea. Used the clips that go with your differential.

Autotechnica

Would it be easier/cheaper simply to get the new style axles? I don't know if the shop I have it at is willing to do any custom work. What boggles my mind is how they could simply give the car back to me and tell me it's properly installed without any sort of securing clips being used. I appreciate the information. However, if this is supposidely the new model LSD that works with older axles, why would custom work and additional hardware be required? Especially without any instructions? Is it assumed that the shop working on this would be able to figure this out?

thanks,

Bry

johnng117

Email these guys www.birdsauto.com they have a kit you could buy to solve this problem, its a know issue.
Good luck.

Im planning on purchasing one soon.

whipplem104

You can put the newer axles in as long as they are still for the 210mm differential not the 215mm found in later c55 cars etc.

Lenin

EPC says that the C32 plug-in axles are only shared with the C 270 CDI (Europe only).

Here is what it should look like (from the 2003 version). The grooves are a liitle longer thatn the 2002 version.

AMG3.2

Crap, I have a 2002 and was planning on installing the Quaife soon...

JamesC32

My 2003 C32 has the one piece axles also, (they do not have the bolt flange) Do these need to be machined if I put the Quaife QDF7V in? I was hoping the Quaife would be a drop in replacement that I could do myself, could someone verify this for me, thanks James.

AMG3.2

Autotechnica, could you please inform us about the outcome of your quaife install. I'm dead set of buying one but I'm wondering about these issues.

Thanks,

Daniel

Autotechnica

Car is still sitting at the shop, no progress. I'm trying to get an answer from Quaife right now but seems like they aren't very helpful.

I don't even mind shelling out the cash to get the newer style axles, but brand new OEM 03+ axles will be pricey. From what people have replied so far, looks like standard W203 axles are not the same. I'm lost as to what to do. The shop I have it at doesn't seem to be into machining things, otherwise I'm sure they would have already come up with a solution for me. I will update you guys as I learn more.

johnng117

I posted a link above, they sell the a kit to solve your problem. My friend has just finished installing in his 2002.
You need to make the call or your car will just be sitting their.
The kit is about $200.

Autotechnica

Thanks, this does seem to be the solution. My shop just called today and told me about the website that sells this kit. They mentioned they do BMW's so it must be the same website you're taking about. However, my tech got a local transmission/driveshaft place to make this kit for me. It was installed today and the car is awaiting a road test tomorrow. The tech said the axles now lock in place. He can't even pry them off the diff. I don't know what this kit consists of. There probably isn't much to it but it's something that Quaife overlooked. My tech basically said a custom clip had to be used and some machining work. I'm not sure what else is involved, but seems like this kit is REQUIRED. Quaife dropped the ball on this one as they advised the axle is simply pressure fitted and no additional hardware is required. This was not the case. I had 3 different people communicating with Quaife, and each one reported back with the same answer. Qauife says several units were sold and nobody had reported any issues. I expected more from quaife. some sort of printed manual or a few lines stating that custom work is required. I really don't appreciate being used as a guinea pig, especially by such a reputable company. If Quaife were local, I would definitely demand some sort of compensation. They're in the UK, so I can forget about that.

Anyways, will report back tomorrow with the results. I'm crossing my fingers and hopefully this "kit" will hold my axles in place. I was so frustrated I was honestly considering selling my car (again).

Bry

AMG3.2

This kit should definitely work. I spoke with my installer and they said that they aswell have to custom fab a kit to make it work.

I'm pretty sure your issues are resolved now, but tomorrow you'll know for sure.

Good luck and let us know how it all pans out.

Quant

iTrader: (1)

did this work for you guys? i'm having same issue with my 2002 clk55 (axle "slipped" out)

johnng117

Did you install the through bolt? that will hold the output shafts together and stops the oil leaking.

Hope the attached files can help.

Autotechnica

Yep, my car works great. Sorry for the late reply. My car is stored for the winter so I don't get on this forum much. The fix my shop did worked. However, aside from the info I provided previously I can't tell you much more. I didn't get to see anything. The tech just explained what he did. Track tested the car and did a drift session, no issues at all.