I have tried to search for info on this and info seems to be limited around this pertaining to the X166 platform (I was able to find a good write up for X164).

The dealer wants about $9K to replace the transfer case on my 2013 GL 450. I am decently mechanically inclined, so i think that this is something that I can pull off (although I cant seem to find any information about the transfer case removal process for X166).

The two issues I am having are:

1. I can not find a place to get a rebuilt (or used with low mileage) transfer case

2. I cannot find info specific to the X166 platform for replacing the transfer case (i.e. What tools I need to ensure that I have to make the process as painless as possible?).

My Google Fu is failing me so any help that any of you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

 

That was the price they gave me over the phone. They charged my $100 (discounted from $160) to drive it and tell me, "Yup, the transfer case needs to be replaced." They said they do not repair or use rebuilt transfer cases. My only option going through the dealer was replace with new. The about $9k was for the new transfer case and labor.

I have not had success finding a rebuilt transfer case on my own.

 

How many miles are on your transfer case?

 

VIN: 4JGDF7CE5DA245372

@DC-BENZ I just hit 100k last weekend. This seems like something that is pretty rare and before I brought it to the dealer, they told me that there is no way that it was the transfer case. They said that it is not something they have seen often. As soon as they drove it they confirmed that it was in fact the transfer case.

 

@Plutoe, how can I go about finding the part number? For my EVO I have been able to find everything, but for this, I have had a hard time finding anything.

 

So I have found a bunch of used transfer cases on ebay (I understand all the risk that I am taking). Unfortunately a bunch of different part numbers come up as "compatible".

Such as:
A2512801800
A2512802000

And all of these came up as well:

A 251 280 07 00 A 251 280 18 00

A 251 280 09 00 A 251 280 21 00

A 251 280 12 00 A 251 280 27 00

A 251 280 15 00 A 251 280 31 00

What is the difference? Is one better than the others?

Thanks for any help. Getting information has been difficult.

 

I found this, maybe this helps
https://www.mbonlineparts.com/oem-pa...bC12OC1nYXM%3D

You may find a used one on lkqonline.com:
https://www.lkqonline.com/2013/Merce...js4aAh718P8HAQ


I had the same problem with the transfer case, THIS TRANSFER CASES ARE FAILING MORE THAN YOUR DEALERSHIP IS TELLING YOU, I see a class action in a near future, so please change its oil when is due to try to avoid/delay this failure.



Buy the part, used or new, and go to an independent service center to get it install, if you are on South Florida I could recommend you one.

Good luck....

 

Is the transfer case fluid changed during a tranny fluid change?

 

Class action takes a very long time to process. I was part of the Porsche Cayenne coolant tube fiasco. Took at least 3 years to get it moving once enough folks complained, probably another year once it hit the court. Payment was tied to receipts, dealer or independent mechanics. If you do it yourself you can only claim the parts. No guarantee you will be fully reimbursed at any rate.

 

Why don't you have the dealership send you an itemized estimate for the transfer case replacement, including part #'s?

 

 

After running your vin I got transfer case number A 251 280 18 00 but according to the catalog its chassis specific. Also if you need instructions on how to remove/install transfer case the WIS number is AR28.10-P-0100GQ. For some reason I cant download the document.

 

what are signs of failed transfer case?

 

I have a 2013 GL550, transfer was jumping gears on load, replaced the transfer chain ($150) and that is it, DIY job, took me around two hours to remove and 2 to install back, dealer to charge $9k is absolutely ridiculous

 

BORG-WARNER / MORSE TEC HY-VO

HV091

Fits:
Mercedes ML - GL - R Series 2003-On

 

Where did you get the transfer chain, and did you find DIY step by step instructions for the 2013/x166 model? I’m wondering if it’s the same as the x164.

 

i bought the chain on ebay, Morse Chain Mercedes Benz ML Transfer Case Magna 2003-On (HV-091), instructions? Well no, if you know basic mechanics and you are handy is intuitive.

 

=AMP62314;7914610]I have a 2013 GL550, transfer was jumping gears on load, replaced the transfer chain ($150) and that is it, DIY job, took me around two hours to remove and 2 to install back, dealer to charge $9k is absolutely ridiculous[/QUOTE]

 

Dealer do service based on WIS and the WIS doesn't have rebuild information for anything except for the engine. Certainly the transfer case, as well as the transmission and differentials are rebuildable with proper rebuild kit. If you find a transmission shop they might be able to do it as well. The transfer case is much simpler than the transmission.

 

Alrighty, I was able to replace the transfer case chain without removing the whole thing. I had heard that was possible through the threads, but did it myself.

A couple things to note:

- X166 chain is the same as the X164 chain
- I bought my chain on Amazon for less than $75: labwork GearTransfer CaseChain A2512800900 - My tensioner bolts were not broken
- before starting I emptied the fluid inside the case. (No one seems to mention this part in the write ups)
- loosening the center axel bracket underneath the heat shield was definitely nexesssary to give enough room to slide it out of the way to remove the case. (Do this before you crack open the case)
- I had to buy a siphon pump to refill the ATF oil.
- The universal joints and extensions bars were lifesavers. After breaking the torx bolts loose, I used my drill to unscrew them faster. Seemed like I would have been there all day trying to manually crank them.
- no need to support the transmission pan with a jack since you don’t have to remove the bracing.
- I used ramps And a headlamp to give enough room and light to work under there.
- don’t over torque any screws since much of these are aluminum.
- I used a liquid gasket seal prior to putting the back part of the base back on. This was a little messy and I had to wait 24 hours to cure before putting the fuel in. I think there were gaskets you can buy, but I had a tube of gasket seal that should work just fine.

Ultimately, the feeling of being able to hit the accelerator again without those gears skipping is pure bliss!!

I have 125,000 miles on mine, and I hope to get another 15-25k before I trade her in.

I’m sure I probably didn’t do everything perfectly. But it took me less than 4 hours to complete (plus the 20 min to refill the fluid the next day)

The job is not for complete rookies. But it’s not as scary as I thought it might be! Good luck!

 

What are the symptoms of chain wear?

 

I've started noticing some popping from mine, mainly yesterday when doing a slight torque brake for a launch (hard on drivetrains I know- spare me). Thinking it's the transfer case chain. Hear other popping intermittently mainly at low speeds, and gear changes are perhaps more pronounced due to chain slack. I'm checking with local transmission shops to see if they'll replace chain/fluid. '13 @ 115k

 

UPDATE

Was popping more violently under full acceleration from stop. Ordered HV523 from eBay and picked up fluid from dealer (two quarts). Small transmission shop around the corner from my office refused to work on a Mercedes on phone, however I went by their office with print outs of the repair and they finally agreed to do it. My suggestion is to try local shops and print pictures from Amazon (pictures included in the chain reviews) and this site. Once they see the case is not some odd European design most will agree to do it.

They were suspicious of there being other damage besides chain stretch, but when they took apart and inspected during repair they confirmed everything else looked good. Chain was significantly stretched. All in all, new chain and fluid replaced for around $700. One night in the shop.

 

I also have a 2013 GL550 4matic w166. Where did you get the parts from and what is your transfer case chain part number?
Thank you, Cliff

 

I am thinking to do this job on a preventive maintenance basis. Good for you fixing it yourself. I have one question: How do you get the chain on the sprockets? The sides of every other link are closed. How do you get the chain over the sprocket teeth? Do you pull off the sprockets? One of them?

BorgWarner says the chain is a 60k mile maintenance item. No surprise MB does not pass along that info.

Note I have figured out that BorgWarner replaced the HV-091 chain with the HV523. The latter is "quieter". So if you can find old stock HV-091, you might save a few bucks. It looks like MB is using the same transfer case model to model. This is no surprise, as MB would have to go back to BorgWarner to get them to design a new case. Or maybe it is just the chain that is the same.

For anyone else undertaking this, I would not get an aftermarket chain. The price difference is not that much, and the quality is a big unknown. If you only need to patch the vehicle for 20k miles, it is probably fine. But BorgWarner is conservative in citing 60k miles, and I have 185k miles on my original. I would stick with BorgWarner. But that's just me.