Attn: MBtech
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
1998 ML320 + 1985 AE86
Attn: MBtech
Problem: Wet Cross Member
Car: 1998 ML320 (51,000 miles)
I spotted a wet spot on parking space. So I jacked up the car and find that the driver side of the front cross member is very wet. Could this be the up coming death of my transfer case?
The fluid is not Red so I assume it's not the tranny fluid. Please give me some insights. Or is it time to buy a Lexus =P
Thanks.
denis.
Car: 1998 ML320 (51,000 miles)
I spotted a wet spot on parking space. So I jacked up the car and find that the driver side of the front cross member is very wet. Could this be the up coming death of my transfer case?
The fluid is not Red so I assume it's not the tranny fluid. Please give me some insights. Or is it time to buy a Lexus =P
Thanks.
denis.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
What color is the liquid? The transfer case fluid is red too, so I doubt that is the problem. It could be just a leaky washer fluid tank. Where exactly is the leak, under the engine compartment, towards the middle of the vehicle, at the rear?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
1998 ML320 + 1985 AE86
The fluid is not red but its some kind of oil
The wet spot is located where the front ladder frame is (where the Chassis Frame VIN plate is). Mostly on the driver side. The oil drain looks nice and dry so it shouldn't be a messy oil change job. I am going to get my car on a lift and try to get a better view of the problem. Maybe I could get some pictures in tonight.
Peace
ML320AMG
The wet spot is located where the front ladder frame is (where the Chassis Frame VIN plate is). Mostly on the driver side. The oil drain looks nice and dry so it shouldn't be a messy oil change job. I am going to get my car on a lift and try to get a better view of the problem. Maybe I could get some pictures in tonight.
Peace
ML320AMG
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
1998 ML320 + 1985 AE86
Just came back from the UCLA fleet service lot.
Got some pictures of my problem. The guys who helped me looking at the problem thinks the tranfer case seals are leaking / hopefully not cracked.
Pictures of Leaking ML320
Please check it out and see what you think.
ML320AMG
denis.
----------------------------------------
thank you dave ... it's the front diff pinion seal leaking
i'll head to the dealer tomorrow and hope for the best tomorrow morning.
Got some pictures of my problem. The guys who helped me looking at the problem thinks the tranfer case seals are leaking / hopefully not cracked.
Pictures of Leaking ML320
Please check it out and see what you think.
ML320AMG
denis.
----------------------------------------
thank you dave ... it's the front diff pinion seal leaking
i'll head to the dealer tomorrow and hope for the best tomorrow morning.
Last edited by ML320AMG; Mar 7, 2003 at 01:33 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
1998 ML320 + 1985 AE86
went to the dealer this morning and the frist thing they say is ...
"oh pinion seal ... well thats about 600-700 ... cuz we need to pull this and this out and blah blah blah ... you might want to just drive on it if it's not leaking too much"
rawrrrrrr!!!!!
grrr ... might as well buy some silicon and spread it on whole thing myself ..
ML320AMG
"oh pinion seal ... well thats about 600-700 ... cuz we need to pull this and this out and blah blah blah ... you might want to just drive on it if it's not leaking too much"
rawrrrrrr!!!!!
grrr ... might as well buy some silicon and spread it on whole thing myself ..
ML320AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
What did they say they would have to do that would cost you that much money? All they have to do is disconnect the front driveshaft, remove the flange, and pop the old seal out, then reassemble and refill the diff fluid.
