Gl450/550 F/R Differential and Transfer Case flush?
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 13
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GL450
Gl450/550 F/R Differential and Transfer Case flush?
Has anybody here changed their front/rear differential and transfer case fluid? Ive been looking but cant find anything in X166 section only in X164.
what is the exact oil to use?
part number for the fill and drain plugs?
thanks in advance.
what is the exact oil to use?
part number for the fill and drain plugs?
thanks in advance.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 247
Likes: 17
From: Chicago, IL
2015 - GL 550
I did it on my X164 and plan on doing the same on 2015 GL 550 as well.
Transfer case uses the same Trans fluid.
Front\Rear Diff uses 75W90 Oil. (Make sure with Dealer) If you are still in warranty then have the dealer changed it so if anything goes wrong they will take care of it.
Usually transfer case is done when you do the Trans Oil change. Service Advisor should throw this as sales pitch when you go for trany oil change.
Not sure about the procedure to change but pretty sure it should be same as ML and you can find some videos on Youtube. For oil I would say get it from MB dealership or go with approved MB oil like Mobil - Liqui Moly and if you want to go with just specs then my fav REDLINE that is the most authentic Synthetic you can find in US.
As these are delicate and very expensive components if you want to DIY make sure you are very well experienced, as any contaminants going in any of this components will cause the pre mature failure.
Also while you doing so much, I would say go-ahead with coolant flush as well, even though MB says coolant is good for 10 years but I just cant agree with that statement. This will make sure that you got all your fluids changed at the same time.
Thanks
Transfer case uses the same Trans fluid.
Front\Rear Diff uses 75W90 Oil. (Make sure with Dealer) If you are still in warranty then have the dealer changed it so if anything goes wrong they will take care of it.
Usually transfer case is done when you do the Trans Oil change. Service Advisor should throw this as sales pitch when you go for trany oil change.
Not sure about the procedure to change but pretty sure it should be same as ML and you can find some videos on Youtube. For oil I would say get it from MB dealership or go with approved MB oil like Mobil - Liqui Moly and if you want to go with just specs then my fav REDLINE that is the most authentic Synthetic you can find in US.
As these are delicate and very expensive components if you want to DIY make sure you are very well experienced, as any contaminants going in any of this components will cause the pre mature failure.
Also while you doing so much, I would say go-ahead with coolant flush as well, even though MB says coolant is good for 10 years but I just cant agree with that statement. This will make sure that you got all your fluids changed at the same time.
Thanks
Last edited by Dreamszalone; Dec 19, 2018 at 12:47 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 149
From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
I did it on my X164 and plan on doing the same on 2015 GL 550 as well.
Transfer case uses the same Trans fluid.
Front\Rear Diff uses 75W90 Oil. (Make sure with Dealer) If you are still in warranty then have the dealer changed it so if anything goes wrong they will take care of it.
Usually transfer case is done when you do the Trans Oil change. Service Advisor should throw this as sales pitch when you go for trany oil change.
Not sure about the procedure to change but pretty sure it should be same as ML and you can find some videos on Youtube. For oil I would say get it from MB dealership or go with approved MB oil like Mobil - Liqui Moly and if you want to go with just specs then my fav REDLINE that is the most authentic Synthetic you can find in US.
As these are delicate and very expensive components if you want to DIY make sure you are very well experienced, as any contaminants going in any of this components will cause the pre mature failure.
Also while you doing so much, I would say go-ahead with coolant flush as well, even though MB says coolant is good for 10 years but I just cant agree with that statement. This will make sure that you got all your fluids changed at the same time.
Thanks
Transfer case uses the same Trans fluid.
Front\Rear Diff uses 75W90 Oil. (Make sure with Dealer) If you are still in warranty then have the dealer changed it so if anything goes wrong they will take care of it.
Usually transfer case is done when you do the Trans Oil change. Service Advisor should throw this as sales pitch when you go for trany oil change.
Not sure about the procedure to change but pretty sure it should be same as ML and you can find some videos on Youtube. For oil I would say get it from MB dealership or go with approved MB oil like Mobil - Liqui Moly and if you want to go with just specs then my fav REDLINE that is the most authentic Synthetic you can find in US.
As these are delicate and very expensive components if you want to DIY make sure you are very well experienced, as any contaminants going in any of this components will cause the pre mature failure.
Also while you doing so much, I would say go-ahead with coolant flush as well, even though MB says coolant is good for 10 years but I just cant agree with that statement. This will make sure that you got all your fluids changed at the same time.
Thanks
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,569
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
MB does not specify axle (differential) or transfer case oil change on the W/X166 platform. I intend to change these lubricants this coming summer, in the 60k-65k mile range.
There is no flush. Flush means forcing fluid through the device (axle, transfer case). The WIS procedure is drain, then fill. No flush.
There is no flush. Flush means forcing fluid through the device (axle, transfer case). The WIS procedure is drain, then fill. No flush.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 566
Likes: 7
From: Maryland
E55
I recently drained and filled all the fluids on my 2014 GL450. Everything was fairly simple and just as easy as doing the oil change except the Transmission service.
1. Front and Rear Differential:
I used 75w90 mobile 1 oil. Took about 1.5 bottles for the front and 1.5 for the rear.
There are 2 plugs on each, one for draining and one for filling. I changed all 4 plugs, but not required. I was doing a complete service on my truck so I was being a little more **** than usual.
Just remove the drain plug and allow to fully drain. After it’s drained replace the drain plug and remove the fill plug. I used one of those fill tools from harbor freight and worked perfectly. When oil starts to drip out of the diff it is full. Replace the plug and that’s all.
Transfer Case:
From what I heard it is best to change transfer case oil every other oil change. It is easy enough that it’s worth preventing transfer case damage that is fairly common on our trucks. I bought the 5L bottle of Pentosin 134FE for around $60. It’s the green oil used for the transmission.
Pretty much same process as the differential. Just drain and fill.
Transmission Service:
a little more difficult, but still doable at home. I just installed a car lift so I’ve been doing a little extra maintenance lately 😂. I used the step by step video FCP posted on their site when I purchased the trans service kit that included the filter, bolts, gasket, over fill plug, and fluid. Only other thing you need to buy is the fill tool that I purchased from Amazon for $10.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,569
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
A gentle reminder that it's best practice to first remove the fill plug, when replacing oil in axles and transfer cases. This avoids the situation when the oil is drained without first removing the fill plug, and the fill plug is stuck, seized, or stripped. Then the vehicle has an empty axle or transfer case, and no means to refill it properly.
Common on Toyota pickups and SUVs at high mileage to have rusted stuck drain or fill plugs on the front axle due to salt and water exposure. That's when the air chisel comes out and demonstrates its glorious destructive power.
Common on Toyota pickups and SUVs at high mileage to have rusted stuck drain or fill plugs on the front axle due to salt and water exposure. That's when the air chisel comes out and demonstrates its glorious destructive power.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 174
From: Florida
Too many german broads
I recently drained and filled all the fluids on my 2014 GL450. Everything was fairly simple and just as easy as doing the oil change except the Transmission service.
1. Front and Rear Differential:
I used 75w90 mobile 1 oil. Took about 1.5 bottles for the front and 1.5 for the rear.
There are 2 plugs on each, one for draining and one for filling. I changed all 4 plugs, but not required. I was doing a complete service on my truck so I was being a little more **** than usual.
Just remove the drain plug and allow to fully drain. After it’s drained replace the drain plug and remove the fill plug. I used one of those fill tools from harbor freight and worked perfectly. When oil starts to drip out of the diff it is full. Replace the plug and that’s all.
Transfer Case:
From what I heard it is best to change transfer case oil every other oil change. It is easy enough that it’s worth preventing transfer case damage that is fairly common on our trucks. I bought the 5L bottle of Pentosin 134FE for around $60. It’s the green oil used for the transmission.
Pretty much same process as the differential. Just drain and fill.
Transmission Service:
a little more difficult, but still doable at home. I just installed a car lift so I’ve been doing a little extra maintenance lately 😂. I used the step by step video FCP posted on their site when I purchased the trans service kit that included the filter, bolts, gasket, over fill plug, and fluid. Only other thing you need to buy is the fill tool that I purchased from Amazon for $10.
1. Front and Rear Differential:
I used 75w90 mobile 1 oil. Took about 1.5 bottles for the front and 1.5 for the rear.
There are 2 plugs on each, one for draining and one for filling. I changed all 4 plugs, but not required. I was doing a complete service on my truck so I was being a little more **** than usual.
Just remove the drain plug and allow to fully drain. After it’s drained replace the drain plug and remove the fill plug. I used one of those fill tools from harbor freight and worked perfectly. When oil starts to drip out of the diff it is full. Replace the plug and that’s all.
Transfer Case:
From what I heard it is best to change transfer case oil every other oil change. It is easy enough that it’s worth preventing transfer case damage that is fairly common on our trucks. I bought the 5L bottle of Pentosin 134FE for around $60. It’s the green oil used for the transmission.
Pretty much same process as the differential. Just drain and fill.
Transmission Service:
a little more difficult, but still doable at home. I just installed a car lift so I’ve been doing a little extra maintenance lately 😂. I used the step by step video FCP posted on their site when I purchased the trans service kit that included the filter, bolts, gasket, over fill plug, and fluid. Only other thing you need to buy is the fill tool that I purchased from Amazon for $10.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,569
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,569
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I plan front and rear axle, and transfer case drain and refill this spring. I will take the vehicle to the dealer in a couple of weeks for the transmission drain and fill.
Vehicle has almost 60k miles on it now, and soon will have all new drivetrain fluids. Original factory brake pads are still doing well.
Vehicle has almost 60k miles on it now, and soon will have all new drivetrain fluids. Original factory brake pads are still doing well.
