Differential Troubles... NEED HELP!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Canada
E350 W211 2007
Differential Troubles... NEED HELP!
Hi guys, first post here.
I have a 2007 E350 4MATIC that makes a horrible moan and groan when above 25ish km/h. It gets louder as I speed up, and throttle/neutral does nothing to change the tone. The hum is coming from the back of the vehicle, and is an incredibly annoying/nauseating tone. I've replaced a wheel bearing, and checked the rest - no luck. I've replaced my bent rims, put on new tires, and balanced them - no luck again. I took it to a local indie shop (Toronto, Canada), and they also concluded that it is the differential (if any more information is required to make sure this is the case, let me know).
I'm not an expert by any means, but I'm pretty sure this differential is the culprit (again, feel free to correct me).
What should I do about this damn problem? The shop said that the car would continue to run indefinitely with this diff (duh), but the sound is really getting on my nerves for such an otherwise silent car.
I've been looking for scrap differentials on Ebay, but it's hard to come by the AWD '07 diff, and harder to figure out what ratio I should be certain I'm looking for.
Is there a better solution I'm failing to see? I go down to Miami often for work, and wouldn't mind diffs located in the US, but the car is staying in Toronto.
Should I be looking for different diffs? Different ratios? Rebuilds (been told that these rebuilds don't last? Any shops that know what they're doing? An LSD??
I NEED HELP!
Thanks,
frustrated Canadian
I have a 2007 E350 4MATIC that makes a horrible moan and groan when above 25ish km/h. It gets louder as I speed up, and throttle/neutral does nothing to change the tone. The hum is coming from the back of the vehicle, and is an incredibly annoying/nauseating tone. I've replaced a wheel bearing, and checked the rest - no luck. I've replaced my bent rims, put on new tires, and balanced them - no luck again. I took it to a local indie shop (Toronto, Canada), and they also concluded that it is the differential (if any more information is required to make sure this is the case, let me know).
I'm not an expert by any means, but I'm pretty sure this differential is the culprit (again, feel free to correct me).
What should I do about this damn problem? The shop said that the car would continue to run indefinitely with this diff (duh), but the sound is really getting on my nerves for such an otherwise silent car.
I've been looking for scrap differentials on Ebay, but it's hard to come by the AWD '07 diff, and harder to figure out what ratio I should be certain I'm looking for.
Is there a better solution I'm failing to see? I go down to Miami often for work, and wouldn't mind diffs located in the US, but the car is staying in Toronto.
Should I be looking for different diffs? Different ratios? Rebuilds (been told that these rebuilds don't last? Any shops that know what they're doing? An LSD??
I NEED HELP!
Thanks,
frustrated Canadian
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 881
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Is the differential oil sparkly like it has metallic dust in it? Does a magnet pick up metallic dust from the oil? Yours isn't a very unusual problem. If you can't find a junk one WITH THE SAME GEAR RATIO then get the one you have rebuilt. It's just gears and bearings with proper shimming; there's nothing magic about it. Seems like any good transmission shop should easily be able to help you.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 337
Likes: 20
From: Charlotte, NC
2005 E320 CDI, 2015 GLA 250
E320 differentials are a reportedly problematic area. The half shaft seals tend to leak and the differential doesn’t like running without oil.
I’d try draining the diff and see how much oil comes out (and whether it has sparkly metal in it). Then filling it back up and pray the noise is less.
If it is dead, and considering the price of a new MB diff, I’d consider getting a replacement from a salvage yard.
Good luck,
Peter
I’d try draining the diff and see how much oil comes out (and whether it has sparkly metal in it). Then filling it back up and pray the noise is less.
If it is dead, and considering the price of a new MB diff, I’d consider getting a replacement from a salvage yard.
Good luck,
Peter
