I have a 2015 ML 350 4MATIC approaching 100,000 miles. I would like to have the transfer case fluid and the front & rear differential gear oil changed at the same appointment. Correct me if I am wrong, but the job would entail:

1.) Getting the vehicle up on the lift, removing undertray, and setting up the oil lift drain pans;
2.) Removing the fill and drain plugs (Mercedes-Benz part #: 00908-016010) w/ copper crush washer seal rings (Mercedes-Benz part #: 007603-016105) from the transfer case;
3.) Removing the fill and drain screw plugs (Mercedes-Benz part #: 000-997-79-32 / 352-997-00-32) from the rear differential;
4.) Removing the fill and drain plugs w/ O-ring seal (Mercedes-Benz part #: 164-331-00-56) from the front differential;
5.) Waiting for about 1/2 quart of transfer case fluid to drain and about 1 quart of gear oil to drain from each of the differentials;
6.) Re-sealing with the new drain plugs w/ copper crush washer seal ring on the transfer case, the drain screw plug on the rear differential, and the drain plug w/ O-ring seal on the front differential;
7.) Replacing the ~1/2 quart of 236.12 transfer case fluid (Mercedes-Benz part #: 001-989-45-03-09) and re-sealing with the new fill plug w/ copper crush washer seal ring;
8.) Replacing the ~1 quart of 239.71 gear oil (Mercedes-Benz part #: 001-989-88-03-12) in the rear differential and re-sealing with the new fill screw plug;
9.) Replacing the ~1 quart of 239.72 gear oil (Mercedes-Benz part #: 001-989-33-03-09 or Fuchs TITAN Sintopoid FE 75w-85) in the front differential and re-sealing with the new fill plug w/ O-ring seal;
10.) Clean-up and check for leaks;
11.) Returning the undertray, getting the vehicle back down from the lift, starting it, and performing a quick scan for codes;
12.) Drive it out and perform figure 8s;
13.) Done.

What am I missing (I haven't seen a workshop manual)? What is a reasonable amount of labor time (based on book time?) for ? Thanks.

 

It sounds like you're in disbelief about what the dealer will charge for the process.
You don't need a lift to DIY...

 

Yup... As much as I would like to, I am unable to do it myself right now, and I am not sure when I'd be set up to do it in the future. Just out of curiosity, I asked a Service Coordinator at the local Mercedes-Benz dealership here in town to get me a quote for this job today. He went back and forth to the service techs in the workshop a few times before coming back to his desk over five minutes later... First, he told me that they do not perform differential gear oil changes on the non-AMG 4MATIC MLs/GLEs. "They're sealed for life." Second, he said that to change just the ~1/2 liter of transfer case fluid (FYI: From parts departments at Mercedes-Benz dealerships here in New England, I can order a bottle of the correct spec transfer case fluid for 15 USD, the fill & drain plugs for 3.50 USD x 2; and the copper crush washer/sealing rings for 3.25 USD x 2) the total parts and labor (without sales tax) would amount to a little less than 600 USD. Basically, they quoted me for a 3-hour job and jacked up the prices of the parts/supplies...The longtime service manager and senior Mercedes master tech at the local independent Mercedes specialist shop I have used on occasion both left in recent months, so I might have to haggle with them (or try another independent shop that I have used in the past).

 

You'll ALWAYS be better off going to an indy mechanic over the dealership. Find one you like and stick to them; the more they know your car the better off you'll be.

 

Agreed. You see, I also received one of those $150 off of any $300+ service fall promo coupon cards in the mail last week and had to find out whether it was worthwhile. ...And did I ever find out. Even with the discount, it's a huge rip-off. LOL!

 

Both axles and transfer case are, in fact, not sealed for life. I changed all of these oils on my W166. Easy in the automotive DIY world of tasks. Provided one has the time, tools and ability to do the job.

 

It's less than $20 total in parts and for the 1/2 L of transfer case fluid (+ small environmental/disposal/shop fees), but the bill would have been around $565 for changing the transfer case fluid. What takes non-mechanics with above-room-temperature IQs well under half-an-hour now takes Mercedes master techs in expensive, well-equipped workshops 3 hours, according to the dealerships... Dealerships with higher labor rates in other parts of the country now charge $700 for changing the transfer case fluid (this example is of a different model with a larger capacity, but MB-approved Mobil Delvac 1 gear oil for that one is only $40 a gallon...). It's no wonder that the owners of the car dealership groups up here are billionaires (or very close to it) who host political rallies and fundraisers every election season... LOL!

 

at least my parts pricing is fair
- matt