Front Axle Seal
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 766
2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
No, it's your front differential, which has it's own gear oil. Mine did the exact same thing about two years ago. Front passenger side drive axle. Seal wore out and was leaking.
While you're doing this repair, ask to also have the bearing replaced as well, since they'll be right there and it's easy. The hardest part is removing the axle. Also, make sure to go ahead and replace the differential fluid too (probably part of the job anyway, but make sure). There is a drain plug on the front diff, but not a fill plug. They fill it through that opening when the passenger axle is out. Technically they could do the repair and not replace the gear oil. But why do that and miss the opportunity to have fresh gear oil in the front diff going forward?
While you're doing this repair, ask to also have the bearing replaced as well, since they'll be right there and it's easy. The hardest part is removing the axle. Also, make sure to go ahead and replace the differential fluid too (probably part of the job anyway, but make sure). There is a drain plug on the front diff, but not a fill plug. They fill it through that opening when the passenger axle is out. Technically they could do the repair and not replace the gear oil. But why do that and miss the opportunity to have fresh gear oil in the front diff going forward?
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2016 E-Class
No, it's your front differential, which has it's own gear oil. Mine did the exact same thing about two years ago. Front passenger side drive axle. Seal wore out and was leaking.
While you're doing this repair, ask to also have the bearing replaced as well, since they'll be right there and it's easy. The hardest part is removing the axle. Also, make sure to go ahead and replace the differential fluid too (probably part of the job anyway, but make sure). There is a drain plug on the front diff, but not a fill plug. They fill it through that opening when the passenger axle is out. Technically they could do the repair and not replace the gear oil. But why do that and miss the opportunity to have fresh gear oil in the front diff going forward?
While you're doing this repair, ask to also have the bearing replaced as well, since they'll be right there and it's easy. The hardest part is removing the axle. Also, make sure to go ahead and replace the differential fluid too (probably part of the job anyway, but make sure). There is a drain plug on the front diff, but not a fill plug. They fill it through that opening when the passenger axle is out. Technically they could do the repair and not replace the gear oil. But why do that and miss the opportunity to have fresh gear oil in the front diff going forward?
Thank you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 766
2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
no worries! No not on the wheel itself, but inside the front differential where the axle goes into it. That is where your failing seal is located along with the driveshaft bearing. It’s a pain to do the seal, so why you’re there you might as well put in a new bearing along with the new seal.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2016 E-Class
no worries! No not on the wheel itself, but inside the front differential where the axle goes into it. That is where your failing seal is located along with the driveshaft bearing. It’s a pain to do the seal, so why you’re there you might as well put in a new bearing along with the new seal.
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 169
Likes: 63
From: Denver
2005 ML500, 2011 E350 4M, 2012 GL550
Just saw this while searching for information in the forum, I`m in the process of fixing my passenger side of outer cv boot, while I was at it last night, I also messed up inner boot too (I believe its a good thing happens now, could be worse after I put everything back together), I took everything apart and currently working on pulling the axle out, its a pain for sure, my question is once its pulled and I fixed/greased the boots, can I use the same circle clip/ring when I`m pushing it back or it needs to be replaced, if so, what would be the part number for this small ring or are they pretty universal?
Thank you.
Thank you.
