Has anyone with a PP equiped car done the diff fluid service themselves? I am planning to do this service at the local MBCA chapter DIY next weekend and wanted to make sure that I need a 17mm hex bit socket to do it. It's my understanding that the drain and fill plugs are 17mm hex, but I wanted to confirm before buying the tool.

TIA

Mike

 

When I hit 1800miles..I just had the dealer changed the fluid for me..you should just call your local service dept and ask a tech to be 100%.

 

Asking the dealership is the next step. I have heard some got this done gratis from MBUSA, but I was quoted over $300 for it and since the parts are less than $70 and about 1/2 hr of my time I can't get myself to pay them $500 / hr. Hell I don't even charge that much to my clients!

 

Mine was done for free.. just smile when you set up the appt...

 

I'll have to work on my smile

Thanks,

Mike

 

You don't have to work on anything other than reading skills - I believe it's firmly spelled out in the warranty booklet that it is included. Don't let them bully you and force you to pay!

 

It is included under "warranty" per my service advisor...dont waste you're time getting dirty...

 

Can you refer to a page where this is noted please? I am not able to find this anywhere. Thank you.

 

have them change it and then flip them the finger. it said on my owners booklet that the will change it for free and i dont even have a lsd. but then agin they dint change mine its ok ill get a lsd soon.

 

I just completed the LSD service myself, as well as an oil and filter change/service. I did it last Thursday at the local auto crafts shop. My differential fill and drain bolts are 19mm and not 17mm as you stated. The plugs are standard hex type nuts, not the recessed type. I assumed that they were recessed and was pleasently surprised that they were normal bolts. The process itself is quite easy, with many DIY tips all over the internet. The hardest part for me was removing the correct plastic skid plate to access the engine oil drain plug, which is 13mm. Another piece of info that might help is the oil filter composite top is a 32mm nut. Lastly, a Torx T25 will remove the air filter housing, allowing you to lift the oil filter out of it's housing. I hope this helps.

 

I found out the 19mm normal bolt situation on the diff yesterday when I changed my fluid. Easy process and only about $50 for Castrol lube and new plug.

 

Just paid $168 for the diff oil change at my dealer, they said it is not? covered under warranty. Anyone have proof otherwise that I could show my dealer? Also make sure you remind them that the plug needs replaced.

 

I had my LSD oil replaced last week, I reminded the dealer about the type of oil to use along with the plug. I was told after it was complete that the plug did Not need replacing... Any reason why the metal bolt needs replacing after a LSD oil change if done right?

 

The drain plug is aluminum and upon torquing to factory specs the threads become distorted. This is why the procedure calls for a new plug.

 

Is this procedure anywhere in our manual? after all was said and done the dealer/ mechanic I spoke with said there was no need for replacement, he said the metal bolt was fine...unless its documented somewhere I can't complain or can I?

 

It's not in the manual, but the service bulletin on this from MB specifies a new bolt be used. I had the tech pull it up on the computer wheil I was doing mine at the local MBCA DIY session to get the proper torque and it specifically states to "install the new drain plug" and to tighten to 50 nm tq.

 

my service tech checked with MB and the plug does indeed need to be replaced - he was not aware of it before I told him however. So are the diff oil changes covered by MB or not?

 

I'm going to look into this and mostly have them replace this plug per the tech alert mentioned...Thanks

 

dumb question - but if you dont get the PP you do not need this extra service correct?

 

That is correct....

Just make sure you didn't get the botched PP which was Not a full PP but had the LSD. I'm guessing you would known this during your purchase process.

 

getting it in May so I wont be getting any LSD or PP

 

Good news, I mentioned LSD the Tech bulletin to my dealer after getting my LSD oil replaced ( during LSD oil chg I did ask the dealer if they were replacing the bolt but the mechinic said no, dont need to threads were still good) well before and after reading about the procedure and now with you actually pointing out the Bulletin, I called the dealer and ask them to pull up the LSD bulletin on there system, soon after the dealer said they need to order the bolts from Germany... well after all was said and done I got my bolts installed with another LSD oil change for free...

BTW... they said 2 bolts not 1

 

Engine and diif oil change = $400 at my dealer in Paramus, NJ

 

Does anyone have a copy of this Service Bulletin? My dealer is saying the bolts don't need to be changed either, they said they looked for this bulletin but didn't find anything.

 

I am sure am glad I prepaid for three years of maintenance. $1000 got me all service and oil changes for three years.