front diff bearing kit?
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 293
Likes: 22
GLS450
front diff bearing kit?
So, it has become obvious I must replace the front diff bearings in my 2007 GL450 with 114k miles. For some time I attributed the front end howl to my 305-40-22 tires but I am now convinced it is the diff bearings. I am pi__ed to say the least since a new tranny was installed for $8000 at 100k miles (by the unlucky previous owner) and I replaced the right front drive shaft myself at 110k for $146 and a day out of my life.
I will take another day out of my life to R&R the front diff and replace the bearings and seals.
I've read all about the war between a couple of guys on this forum concerning the good, bad, ugly, fact and fiction about these bearings. I see what appears to be two good sources on Ebay. 1. mercbenzspecialist with 1254 transactions and 100% positive feedback and, 2. benzexpert with 352 transactions and 100% positive feedback. It looks like a toss-up to me but I wanted to throw this thread out first in hopes of getting some feedback, positive or negative, without, again opening a powder keg. Maybe the bearing war is over and both of these guys can be declared winners. I don't know.
Maybe it is over-kill to replace the pinion bearings too???
I'm going to change the fluid and maybe go to a heavier grade of hypoid gear oil for a few days until I get the bearings in hopes of not catastrophically gernading the diff.
Your thoughts
I will take another day out of my life to R&R the front diff and replace the bearings and seals.
I've read all about the war between a couple of guys on this forum concerning the good, bad, ugly, fact and fiction about these bearings. I see what appears to be two good sources on Ebay. 1. mercbenzspecialist with 1254 transactions and 100% positive feedback and, 2. benzexpert with 352 transactions and 100% positive feedback. It looks like a toss-up to me but I wanted to throw this thread out first in hopes of getting some feedback, positive or negative, without, again opening a powder keg. Maybe the bearing war is over and both of these guys can be declared winners. I don't know.
Maybe it is over-kill to replace the pinion bearings too???
I'm going to change the fluid and maybe go to a heavier grade of hypoid gear oil for a few days until I get the bearings in hopes of not catastrophically gernading the diff.
Your thoughts
Last edited by 1xsculler; May 15, 2016 at 07:09 PM. Reason: added info.
Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 219
Likes: 71
From: Bluffdale
2017 AMG C 43 (W205); 2019 E 300 (W213); 2008 ML 320 CDI (W164)
Wanted: Photos & Procedure
A while ago I thought I was going to have to replace the bearings in the front differential, but in the end it turned out to be the tyres causing the noise and the job was never started. Had already done quite a bit of research through the forums and even though there is some useful information out there, it was not complete and some of it didn't seem perfectly reliable. It would be really great if someone who goes through this process would post the A to Z procedure! 
