Contents: Removal ↡ Installation ↡
Caution! When installing the rear final drive, it is necessary to use new rear propeller shaft mounting nuts, drive shaft mounting bolts and rear final drive housing mounting nuts.
Removal
1. Raise the rear of the vehicle and secure it on stands. Remove the rear wheels. If necessary, drain the oil from the rear final drive housing.
2. Using paint, apply alignment marks to the flexible coupling of the cardan shaft and the flange of the rear main gear. Unscrew the nuts and bolts securing the flexible coupling of the cardan shaft to the flange of the rear main gear. New nuts must be used for installation.
3. Remove the bolts securing the right-hand drive shaft inner joint to the rear final drive flange, remove the mounting plate and, using soft wire, suspend the drive shaft from the underbody of the vehicle.
Caution! Avoid allowing the drive shaft to hang freely, as this may cause the outer constant velocity joint of the drive shaft to become loose. When installing the drive shaft, use new bolts for fastening the inner constant velocity joint of the drive shaft.
4. Disconnect the left drive shaft from the rear final drive in the same manner.
5. On models with ABS, disconnect the electrical connector of the rear sensor mounted on the vehicle wheel. Remove the electrical wires from the mounting brackets so that the sensor can be removed together with the rear final drive.
6. Use a jack to support the rear final drive using a wooden block.
7. Unscrew the nuts and remove the two bolts securing the rear of the main gear. Unscrew the nut and remove the bolt securing the front of the main gear. When installing the rear main gear, new nuts must be used.
8. Carefully lower the rear final drive and remove it from underneath the vehicle. Note the location and remove the washers and rubber mounts from the front rear final drive mount. Check the condition of the rubber mounts and replace them if necessary.
Installation
1. Align the rear final drive flange with the flexible coupling of the propeller shaft in accordance with the marks made before removal.
(Original source of information: «mercedesman.ru»)
2. Check that the rubber mounts and washers are installed correctly and reinstall the rear final drive.
3. Install the rear final drive mounting bolts, then screw new nuts onto them and tighten them to the specified torque.
4. Check the alignment of the marks, then insert the bolts securing the flexible coupling of the cardan shaft to the flange of the rear main gear, screw new nuts onto them and tighten them to the required torque.
5. On models with ABS, connect the electrical connector to the rear wheel sensor.
6. Align the drive shafts with the rear final drive flanges. Lubricate the threads and heads of the new bolts with oil, then install the bolts and mounting plates onto the drive shafts, screw in the bolts and tighten them to the specified torque.
7. Install the wheels and tighten the wheel bolts, then lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the wheel bolts to the specified torque.