rick_vor

I knocked out my 2k rear differential gear oil change yesterday. I didn't find a lot of info online about how to do it so I thought I share some of the details...

Simple DIY, on par with doing an oil change. You'll need a jack & 2 jack stands (or just 2 ramps), three 500ml bottles of Castrol Syntrax 75w140 Limited Slip gear oil (must have MB-approved 235.61 on the label so not a lot of options https://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/...10-MFG848.aspx ), 19mm box end wrench and a gear oil pump ($12+/-). You'll need 1200ml of Syntrax so you'll have 300ml leftover for the next change @ 30k miles.





The W213's have two jacking points on each side that will support a jack stand so you need to jack up the car by the differential or the rear suspension. I choose the suspension route and was able to raise the rear up enough from one side to put a jack stand under both rear jack points.



The rear differential is drained from the sensor port on the right side and refilled from the top plug on the left side. Use a 19mm wrench for both plugs. The plugs are nice and snug so it's always a good idea to crack them both open first so you don't drain the oil and then realize the fill plug is stuck.



Once drained, re-install the bottom sensor plug and start refilling the top sight plug hole with Syntrax. The bottles have graduated markings on the side so once you start the 3rd 500ml bottle, you can tell when your getting close to the last 200ml. Once the rear differential is full, gear oil will start to pour out the sight plug hole. Reinstall the slight plug and wipe everything down and your done.

The whole process took about 45 minutes or 1 and 1/2 beers...

Rick

jkob5

Kudos. You may very well be the one and only person with this car to DIY

rick_vor

I kind of felt that way when I looked into it. I've been involved in the M forums for years and if you want to do some maintenance or some mod, somebody somewhere has posted about it. No time to start like the present...

Michael Khan

Thank You so much! I was gonna do it myself but had no idea how to tackle it.

sixfive

had my favorite shop take care of if for me for about $100. Helps to have it about 5 minutes away from my house . . .

Dagger9903

Thank you, super helpful. I'm going to do this myself as well when I hit the right point. Quick question, what is the gear oil pump used for? Is the inlet hole horizontal so you need to pump it in?

Michael Khan

Whats the point of changing the differential gear oil change at 2000 miles. Usually dont have to do it until 30k, my first AMG so a bit curious.

Pioneer222

I am sure there is a mechanical reason that makes it prudent, but the main reason is that it is required... so warranty wise, a must do.

rick_vor

dav461

whoover

All limited-slip diffs normally have a break-in oil change. There is friction material in the clutch pack that sheds initially and you want to get it out to keep it from gumming things up.

pentium7

Congrats on getting this done. My days of changing oils are long over I used to love to do everything I could myself but time is now more valuable than money both good and bad.

ShaneN.

Couple questions about this. I called to get the parts and the guy claimed there is a drain plug, a fill plug and the sensors plug. 3 total. In two threads I've read it only talks about one sensor plug and one fill plug.

Also, my mechanic has a pump that can reach inside and pump out all the fluid, is there any reason I wouldn't want to do that versus just drain and fill?

Finally, anyone know a torque spec for the plugs?