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I'm just about done build Dapper Drift V2, the W210 successor to my W211 based street car. I wanted to ask you all about the axle interchange.
Mercedes list distinct part numbers for E320/E430/E55 and E300D differential ratios, carrier housing units and CV axles themselves. We all know that diesels had the most aggressive final drive ratios (mine is 3.46:1 and I intend to keep it), and from what I understand, housing were not always 1:1 compatible with various internals.
My question is about the axles themselves. This is a proper drift build and axles are at this point consumables (the differential is fulltime locked), so I really need to identify all possible routes for myself here. I have just exploded the outer CV joint on the factory 240K mile axles the car came with, haha.
In short, and if I understand correctly, this is where we're at:
Axle to differential mating interface is identical
Axle output splines and thread at the knuckle is identical
Axle CV assembly might be different (?)
Axle overall length might be different
Essentially, my hypothesis is that it's a different part number due to slightly different housing that ends up changing the effective axle ratio. If this is the case, there are two ways forward for me:
E300D differential is narrower: this means axle reach has to be further. Coupled with the fact that my car is somewhat lowered, I will simply need to machine axle spacers (easy!)
E300D differential is wider: this is perfect and it might work directly as is.
Is there anything else I'm missing?
Some photos for attention and to let everyone know I'm serious.
Kyle Bascombe, our resident FCP Euro Mercedes expert thinks it's a matter of lengths due to differential housing differences.
Sounds like I am running a HAG185 whereas the gasoline vehicles use HAG210. Sounds like I will need to machine spacers and it should work reasonably well. I have a spare axle and I will be able to directly compare the two units. Ordered this, GKN is Chinese OEM manufacturer (including VW, IIRC): https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...aft-2103508410
If the smaller housing ends up failing, I will likely upgrade to W210 at which point I will simply have to reflange the output on my single-piece driveshaft, not too bad.
We ended up confirming that the axles I'm going to are roughly 1/4" shorter, I also confirmed with Seems legit Garage that E36/E46 M3's use 94MM PCD bolt spacing on the axle inputs with what seems to be like identical geometry. I think these things will bolt right up! All the parts are in the mail, will confirm next week. One important difference is I do not see a hall effect sensor ring on the output of these replacement axles, but for my use case it matters not.
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