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I bought my 2005 E500 4Matic about four months ago. I had a chattering noise while turning at low speeds. It had bothered me a long while as it took away from an otherwise perfect smooth ride.
July 4th I changed out the transfer case fluid and replaced with Mercedes recommended oil. I took the vehicle for a 30 min highway run & was thrilled when the noise & vibrations were completely gone. The Mercedes drives so smooth and quiet now - its like new.
The last image shows the original fluid. It was very dark, burnt smelling, & thin.
How many miles since the last change? The fluid looks pretty bad. I change my TC Fluid every 40k miles. If it hasn't been changed, you might want to check your diffs as well and do them.
How many miles since the last change? The fluid looks pretty bad. I change my TC Fluid every 40k miles. If it hasn't been changed, you might want to check your diffs as well and do them.
I think this was the original fluid. The Mercedes has 115k. The old had a horrible bitter smell. Yes I agree I will get the front and rear differentials done as well.
I think this was the original fluid. The Mercedes has 115k. The old had a horrible bitter smell. Yes I agree I will get the front and rear differentials done as well.
Check the spec on the fluid for the front diff v rear. At some point MB changed the spec for the front diff fluid for at least some of the 4matics due to bearing failure.
I also had a very similar experience. After the first fluid swap, the noise was significantly reduced but not completely gone. I then performed a second transfer case fluid flush a week later and the noise was completely gone.
I used a harbor freight transfer pump to easily easily he fluid into the transfer case.
I also had a very similar experience. After the first fluid swap, the noise was significantly reduced but not completely gone. I then performed a second transfer case fluid flush a week later and the noise was completely gone.
I used a harbor freight transfer pump to easily easily he fluid into the transfer case.
Yes I also bought a pump. It really worked well. It made the job so much easier. I found removing the different components to get to the fill & drain plugs took the most time. But wow what a feeling when all that noise and vibration was completely gone. 🌅
Yes I also bought a pump. It really worked well. It made the job so much easier. I found removing the different components to get to the fill & drain plugs took the most time. But wow what a feeling when all that noise and vibration was completely gone. 🌅
Leave it to Mercedes to require torx, etorx, hex, wrenches, and regular sockets just to perform fluid change in a transfer case. Surprised they didn't throw in a Phillips while they're at it 🙄.
Makes me fantasize about having a Japanese vehicle with only metric.
Leave it to Mercedes to require torx, etorx, hex, wrenches, and regular sockets just to perform fluid change in a transfer case. Surprised they didn't throw in a Phillips while they're at it 🙄.
Makes me fantasize about having a Japanese vehicle with only metric.
yes it’s really quite a procedure to drain the .6L of fluid. I even had to remove my trans rubber mount that sits just over the rear trans support member that also had to be removed. The rubber rear trans mount was blocking the drain plug. Thankfully I shouldn’t have to do this again 🌅
*photo shows rear rubber trans mount & assembly in red. All had to be removed to access the drain plug.
Last edited by W211-(E500); Jul 19, 2023 at 03:17 AM.
Reason: Add image
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