Mercedes R500 Front Differential Part Number and Ratio
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 16
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From: MD
R500
Mercedes R500 Front Differential Part Number and Ratio
Folks,
I am looking to buy a used front differential/carrier assembly for my 2006 Mercedes R500. And from google I found that the front differential has a part number of 164-330-26-02-80
However the fitment information for the part seems to indicate that the part also fits the mercedes R350 (all years). But I know the diff ratio for the R500 is 3.7 and the Diff ratio for the R350 is 3.9 (except 2011 and 2012 model years I think). How would that make the differential interchangeable between these models? Is the diff ratio only relevant for the rear differential ? I assumed the front diff also has a ratio that needs to be matched to the car. Does anyone know?
I am looking to buy a used front differential/carrier assembly for my 2006 Mercedes R500. And from google I found that the front differential has a part number of 164-330-26-02-80
However the fitment information for the part seems to indicate that the part also fits the mercedes R350 (all years). But I know the diff ratio for the R500 is 3.7 and the Diff ratio for the R350 is 3.9 (except 2011 and 2012 model years I think). How would that make the differential interchangeable between these models? Is the diff ratio only relevant for the rear differential ? I assumed the front diff also has a ratio that needs to be matched to the car. Does anyone know?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 114
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2006 R500
Are you using the Ebay fitment guide? If so, that guide is borderline useless. It will tell you that a v6 e320 engine will fit in a S55.
Yes, the differential gear ratio must match or you will destroy your transfer case. In your case you need a 3.70 gear ratio.
Yes, the differential gear ratio must match or you will destroy your transfer case. In your case you need a 3.70 gear ratio.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 16
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From: MD
R500
I am using the official Mercedes Parts website. Here is the link
Differential for 2006 Mercedes-Benz R 500 | Mercedes-Benz USA Parts (mbusa.com)
If you look at the fitment information, they say that the differential is the same for R350 as well as R500. Part Number is 164-330-26-02-80
Differential for 2006 Mercedes-Benz R 500 | Mercedes-Benz USA Parts (mbusa.com)
If you look at the fitment information, they say that the differential is the same for R350 as well as R500. Part Number is 164-330-26-02-80
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2006 R350, 2011 S550
Any reason you need to replace the whole differential?
you man need to only replace the bearings inside. use the search and you will find a lot of good info/writeup on this topic.
you man need to only replace the bearings inside. use the search and you will find a lot of good info/writeup on this topic.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 16
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From: MD
R500
Replacing the pionion and carrier bearings would be the best thing to do but believe it or not I cannot seem to find someone who can do just that. I called two different shops (Both were transmission specialist shops) around me and they both offered to swap in a used differential instead of rebuilding the existing diff. Does anyone know what kind of shop I should be calling who can install new bearings in the diff I have? I am in the MD/DC/VA area in the USA.
