CLK-Class (W208) 1998-2002: CLK 200, CLK 230K, CLK 320, CLK 430 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

keep breaking differentials HELP!!

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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 04:56 AM
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2006 E55 AMG
keep breaking differentials HELP!!

i went thru 3 diffs in my previous clk and now my current clk is getting towed to the shop tomorow for a new diff. Why does this keep happening? What should i upgrade with?? Are the clk55 diffs any better?? I read people preffer the clk 320 diff?? Any info would be great. Thanks!
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 02:57 PM
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Breaking Diffs????? What mods are you running? The only other member I heard about breaking diffs was Blackbenz but he is running some serious mods.

Greg
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 07:39 PM
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no mods!! just wide tires. Thats what i dont get. And im buying brand new diffs when i replace them and a certified shop installed them. So it makes no sense to me at all
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 07:42 PM
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the AMG clk55 have Limited Slip diffs...

are you drifting??

I have tried to break my diff in my CLK 430 automatic...no dice.
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 09:23 PM
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Yes I am when it rains. Give it a try, that's prob what it is
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 09:24 PM
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So would a clk55 diff solve my prob?
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 10:00 PM
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it should b a better set up
but it is a diff gear set up
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Old Oct 12, 2010 | 12:31 AM
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Hmmm would that throw off my speedo?
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Old Oct 12, 2010 | 01:24 AM
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no it should if any
mess up your esp

when i had my drag tires that were 1in smaller then my stock the car was thinking my tires were going out of control and tried 2 fix it by braking

but the speed was always good
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Old Oct 12, 2010 | 12:33 PM
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02 clk 55, 13 GL 450
Originally Posted by A4 Turbo
Hmmm would that throw off my speedo?
Yes it will... ratio is different from 320/430/55. For you to break that many rear diffs I doubt the 55 rear will solve your problem anyway
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Old Oct 12, 2010 | 01:27 PM
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it wont affect your speedo reading as it is measured off the abs sensor
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Old Oct 12, 2010 | 05:59 PM
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02 clk 55, 13 GL 450
My bad.. I never took the time to check for a cable but with all the electronics in that trans, makes sense to get the signal from the wheels.
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 12:23 AM
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just curious..how much does a new diff. go for?
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by rjlawlor646
just curious..how much does a new diff. go for?
the dealer charges 2800 for a new diff installed
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 06:35 PM
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and seems like it would be smarter to just go with the clk430 diff then have the hassle of dealing with all the problems a clk55 diff could cause
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 11:07 PM
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The 55 diff has a 2.82 ratio, the 430 has a 2.87 ratio, and the 320 has 3.07's. The 320 has the best ratio for acceleration.

If the same shop has been installing the ring and pinion, that could be the problem. I have no idea how to set pinion depth or backlash, and neither do any of my friends. What I do know is; get it wrong and you'll either do it again (and again), or end up paying someone (which I have done in the past). Swapping the entire pumpkin is an easier route, but I've never done that on an MB.
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Old Oct 14, 2010 | 02:14 PM
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02 clk 55, 13 GL 450
Crush washers, preload, tooth pattern.... lockers, sterling 10.25, ford 9"... Setting up a rear end correctly is a lesson in patience and I agree with Marcus... there is no "close enough" when setting the tolerance here. Failure will be eminent and with enough horsepower quite spectacular!! Unless you have had the same guy set all 4 gears sets in both cars, Im thinking driving style. Is the car ENGAGED in drive before you give it the coals? On the rears you have replaced, what went out? Ring and pinion or are you cooking the bearings??
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Old Oct 15, 2010 | 10:06 PM
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Thanks for all the help guys, and when I break them and open them up it's just a bunch of metal pieces on the bottom. So the gears. Also when I get the new ones it's all sealed and already set up in the housing and everything so all the shop does is add fluid connect driveline and axles and I'm good to go. I had a European shop do it twice and Mercedes dealer do it ones
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Old Oct 16, 2010 | 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by A4 Turbo
Thanks for all the help guys, and when I break them and open them up it's just a bunch of metal pieces on the bottom. So the gears. Also when I get the new ones it's all sealed and already set up in the housing and everything so all the shop does is add fluid connect driveline and axles and I'm good to go. I had a European shop do it twice and Mercedes dealer do it ones
Burnouts? Drop neutral starts? Shady parts supplier? I've never had a diff issue and I'm putting a lot more power to the wheels. Something is missing in this story.
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Old Oct 17, 2010 | 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by SoCalw11w123
the AMG clk55 have Limited Slip diffs...

are you drifting??

I have tried to break my diff in my CLK 430 automatic...no dice.
The CLK55 is an open differential, not limited slip
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