[2005s5004matic]

Hi Guys,

I want to replace the diff fluid in both the front and rear transfer case.
I have read the articles posted on the encyclopedia but still have a question.
I believe I will need to remove the front portion heat shields then remove the flex disc from the TC connector. This should give me access to the 3 different screws? The write up stated you needed to remove the tranny mount and other support brackets?? Is that really necessary?
Also would I be able to use the inspection hole as the fill hole..instead of removing the 3rd fill plug?

The rear seems more straight forward but I need some guidance on the front unit. I'm hoping the fluid replacement would fix my thump/noise issue

Thanks for all the help!!

 

[Quadcammer]

Are you talking about the transfer case or the front diff.

For the transfer case, yup the mount and bracket come off. Given the sensitivity of the transfer case to fluid levels, you'll want to utilize each off the plugs.


Front differential there is one plug accessed through the passenger side wheel well. You remove plug, suck out fluid with a transfer pump, pump in new fluid, and button it back up.

 

[2005s5004matic]

Hi Quad..My bad I was referring the front and rear differentials earlier..I have been trying to figure out this damn thump sound and I have removed the front prop shaft..hoping the u joints would've been destroyed..but they don't seem too bad...so I thought I would replace ALL the fluids while I have the shaft out and perhaps I would find that either the two diffs or transfer case was low on oil.
Ok so if I got it right...the front diff I can access the one bolt by the pass side and remove and replace fluid. The rear is simple..one bolt on each side of the carrier.
The transfer case I need to remove the trans mount and the flex disc to access the 3 separate screws.

Since I now have the original prop shaft off the car...I was thinking that I should replace it with a NEW unit...even though I am NOT certain that its the reason for my thumping sound when I toggle on and off the gas at low speed. I heard of others having the front prop shaft fail while driving and creating a mess under the car. My car does have 145k miles and the u joint by the front diff has a slight resistance while the end close to the transfer case seems fine. There seems to be such a HUGE price swing online for this shaft...from $300 to $800. Other than the U joints...i don't know if there are any other parts of the shaft that can wear and cause the thump. I came across a company called Colorado Driveshaft that has new shaft units for $300....they claim that they use replaceable u joints with bigger yokes. They suggest that the shaft get installed backwards so that the slip joint is pointing towards the rear instead of the front. They say that their yoke is larger and makes getting the front bolts installed difficult.

 

[2005s5004matic]

Hi Quad/l had a follow up question...the fluid in the transfer case and both differentials are the same? The 75w90 I assume GL5pec?

Thanks

 

[mercy-me]

Be careful! Transfer case uses different oil than the diff's.

(From your owners manual.)

Bob

 

[tusabes]

That owners manual also implies "Mercedes hydraulic fluid " is something different than pentosin chf11s when they are the same

 

[2005s5004matic]

Hi Bob and tusabes,

Thanks for the quick reply. I have tried getting a service manual for my 205 s500 but it seems they don't exist and the cds on ebay I hear are worthless.
I will try to find the transfer case oil on ebay or check the local dealer. I know I can use any brand 85w 90 for the diffs.
I read on another website that the transfer case and the transmission on some MB were integrated and therefore shared the same oil...obviously this is NOT the case for the w220.

Thanks again for the quick response and I appreciate all the advice this forum has provided me.

Rick

 

[cmitch]

Front differential there is one plug accessed through the passenger side wheel well. You remove plug, suck out fluid with a transfer pump, pump in new fluid, and button it back up.

You make this sound so easy.
It's a damnable pain in the ass. Especially to get the tube past the gears enough to get most of the fluid out. It really takes two people, especially if you have no lift. I had to run the tube out through the wheel area. But I was using a hand pump to drain it and fill it.

 

[Quadcammer]

You make this sound so easy.
It's a damnable pain in the ass. Especially to get the tube past the gears enough to get most of the fluid out. It really takes two people, especially if you have no lift. I had to run the tube out through the wheel area. But I was using a hand pump to drain it and fill it.

oh its a total pain in the ass, but it is doable.

 

[mercy-me]

Rick,

Attached are the transfer case work instructions. Use this link to find out the spec sheet requirements for the oil, ( use the drop down box for any other oil as well). It looks like 236.13 ATF is what you use.

Good Luck,

Bob

 

[2005s5004matic]

Hi Bob/all...thanks once again for coming through with great advice.
The link you sent me will definitely help me with replacing the transfer case oil.
I already sourced the MB oils for both the transfer case and the diffs online.

While I still have not determined the cause of the thumping sound/feel ...i have replaced several things while I have the car on jacks. I have replaced the transmission conductor plate and replaced the trans filter, replaced both engine mounts. The mounts did not seem too bad either....no rupture or tears..I did find some trans oil in the connector at the transmission. I have NOT driven the car since doing this work...its just sitting on jack stands. I also removed the front prop shaft....but the u-joints didn't seem too bad. Now I am not sure if I should just put the old prop shaft back or spend $300 on a new one from coloradodriveshafts.
I really so want to get rid of this damn thumping sound/feel and perhaps by replacing the trans conductor plate..that could've fixed it. I just wont know until I get the car off the jacks and on the road.
I just didn't want to waste time getting car off and on the jacks in order to test it every time I replace a part.
What would you guys do...reinstall the old prop shaft and hope the u joints don't fail in a month..or spend the $300 on a new one?
Has anyone purchased a shaft from Colorado driveshaft before...they claim their units are beefier and stronger but they suggest you install the shaft backwards..since the u joints are larger and the front section would interfere with the bolts.
Too many darn things to consider while I track down the source of this thumping sound...
Thanks again for all your suggestions
Rick

 

[2005s5004matic]

Hi all,

Just today I removed the transmission mount and was able to access 2 of the 3 screws needed to replace the transfer case oil. I did not remove the flex disc from the transfer case. According the manual they want you to remove the flex disc in order to access the fill screw but its seems silly to me to go through all that extra work just to get to a screw that you may not need. With the inspection and drain screws removed shouldn't I be able to drain and refill using them only? Can someone please tell me if I am missing something here. I know the transfer case oil level is something that needs to be right..but I believe filling the oil via the inspection screw should work. The manual states the case should take about .6 liters. I'd like to say thanks to Bob and the others that have given me great advice.
Rick

 

[Quadcammer]

rick,
MB isn't in the business of adding superfluous plugs into things for no reason.

do it right...its worth it.

 

[2005s5004matic]

Hi Quad...after removing both the inspection and drain screws from the transfer case the old oil came out looking like used motor oil...dark and coffee colored. I have not measured exactly how much fluid came out yet...still have it dripping out plus I ordered a 1 liter of MB transfer case oil and have yet to receive it in the mail. I did notice that when I removed the inspection screw there was no oil dripping out...and I believe the manual states there should be .62 quarts or .59 liter capacity. I intend to measure how much came out and then measure .59 liter of new oil and attempt to fill the case via the inspection screw.

If that proves to be impossible..then I will go ahead and remove the flex disc in order to gain access to the fill screw. I am hoping that the old oil I removed was too low or just too thinned out and was causing the thumping sound I was getting when toggling on and off the gas at low speeds. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Rick

 

[2005s5004matic]

Hi Bob/Quad and all,

I continue doing overall maintenance and trying to pinpoint the source of this annoying thump sound/feel I get when tap on or off the gad pedal.
As many of you know, I have replaced the main 2 piece driveshaft, both flex discs, trans mount, both motor mounts, dropped the trans pan replaced the filter, dropped the valve body and replaced the conductor plate.
I removed and inspected the front propeller shaft to check the u joints and internal splines but they checked out so i put the old front propeller shaft back. I still may end up ordering a new unit from Colorado driveshaft for $300. I know others have had major issues when the u joints fail and allows the propeller shaft to destroy all the components under the car.
I have also replaced the transfer case oil as well as both differentials. While the rear was a breeze..the front proved to be a total pain the a$$. From researching on this forum, I believe the front differential should take .6 liter...but I have been unable to remove OR fill .6 liters. I have tried twice to put even .5 liters but have been unable. The second time I even tilted the car so that the fluid would not drip out the fill hole...but of course it did. So my question is...can anyone tell me what the appropriate amount of 85w-90 oil the front transfer case should take. My car is a 2005 s500 4matic. The second time I replaced the front diff oil, I tilted the car to one side when draining and the tilted it the opposite side when replacing the oil....just to make sure I was getting every drop out but was still able to get in only about .3 liters?
I also used a plunger device with quarter inch vacuum hose that I was able to insert inside the transfer case..My logic was to start filling the transfer case from as far away from the fill hole as possible but even with that I was only able to get about a quarter liter in.
Has anyone else replaced their front diff oil? If so please let me know how much your case took and what the secret is to getting the oil out and in.
This job is SOO messy I am NOT looking forward to doing it a third time.
Sorry for the long story and appreciate the feedback
Rick

 

[Kadyr_Fazal]

Hello,

I have a 2003 S430 4 matic and have the same thumping issue at low speeds but the thump goes away when accelerating. I was wondering if you were able to resolve the issue?