W5YK - 8/22/2006 6:03 PM

I think the only thing coming up is wheel bearings. Mine seem fine, even with a fair number of Mexico miles. But I've read that they aren't good for much more than 100k.

W5YK - 8/22/2006 5:03 PM

I have 75k on my 2002.

One problem I am finding is that MBUSA hasn't serviced any high-mileage G500s yet, so they don't know what to do. Also, they don't have some fluids in stock (eg TC gear oil, specific to the G only) because they never need it. At the last two services, I pretty much had to give them a list of things to do, taken from Haralds info. I had to buy my own TC gear oil, because the dealer didn't want to buy a drum of it that they would never use.

But basically all I've done apart from engine oil-changes is to change the TC and differential gear oils. I'm still on the original tranny oil. And three spark plugs and coils. Had a new alternator at 55k. I put a new serpentine belt on at 70k, and carry the old one as spare (it looks new). I replaced the front brake rotors at 70k too.

I think the only thing coming up is wheel bearings. Mine seem fine, even with a fair number of Mexico miles. But I've read that they aren't good for much more than 100k.

Brent - 8/22/2006 5:35 PM



You would be surprised how much difference new front bearings change how the truck drives. They degrade pretty slowly so you don't really notice what you have lost. I had my 300GE done at 90 and my G320 done at 75k. Both came back like new trucks, the difference was impressive. If nothing else the CV boots probably need replacing around the milage you guys are at. You do not want to add $500+ to each side at bearing time. New boots are much cheaper.

SocalAstro - 8/22/2006 8:36 PM

Richard,

thanks for the valuable info. I will look into finding the gear oils on my own; any recommendations?

DUTCH - 8/23/2006 2:37 AM

Redline MT90 for the TC and Redline 75W90 Gear Oil in the diffs. You will feel and hear the difference.

W5YK - 8/23/2006 12:25 PM

I have a question on gear-oil changes:

Does any know the torque spec for the drain and filler-plugs on the TC and the diffs? Mine were really hard to undo the first time (cheater-bar hard).

W5YK - 8/23/2006 12:20 PM

Regarding the gear oil, I wasn't able to locate any of the MT-90 for the Transfer Case locally, so I got some Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lubricant 75W-90. I think that is the correct spec. The handbook doesn't give a spec, just a Merc sheet number, and that isn't very helpful since Merc doesn't have any of it available (one drum in the USA when I checked a few weeks ago). It takes three litres exactly, although it's difficult to pour it in straight from the bottles.

The spec for the diffs is different, which is a bit inconsiderate of Merc. You'd think they could run one type of oil all round.

ewalberg - 8/23/2006 10:32 AM

I thought it really wasn't necessary to change the boots unless they'd had a chance to dry out (for lack of lube in the swivels) or are worn out? I'll likely be diving into my wheel bearings shortly.