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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| Front diff issues / help
Friday there was some significant clicking coming from somewhere in my driveline. I immediately pulled into my garage and put it up on stands to try to see if I could ID the location. From my limited investigatory skills I thought it was coming from possibly a u-joint, the transfer case or the cv joints in the center prop shaft. I didn't check the front diff.
When I investigated the center prop shaft, both boots were seperating in between the ribs of the boots, and it looked like there was little to no grease in them. I added some grease just to see if that would help with the clicking so I could drive it to a shop, and that didn't seem to make any difference, so I had it towed. So that's already on the to-do list.
The shop diagnosis is that the clicking is coming from the front diff - they drained it and found some metal shavings and seem to believe that is where the clicking is coming from.
(I just replaced the fluid in there about 10k ago and didn't see anything).
The shop I took it to (from what I'm told a fairly reputable shop for MB repairs) also said they do not have the special tools required to even get at the diff to pull it apart because it's a "european" G. Are the driveline components between a 2000 and a MBUSA 2002 that different? What special tools are needed to open up/repair a diff?
They basically told me they couldn't perform the work and it was going to be outrageously expensive to get it done anyway.
So, besides questioning the shop's reputation, and believing this type of repair to most likely be beyond my ability and time, I'm looking for any advice on how to proceed. Unfortunately, the G is also my daily driver.
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: Front diff issues / help
Their "European" G blow-off is exactly that. The parts are identical and interchangeable; and any "European" parts can be had from any MB dealer's parts department. |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| RE: Front diff issues / help
DUTCH - 1/26/2015 3:53 PM
Their "European" G blow-off is exactly that. The parts are identical and interchangeable; and any "European" parts can be had from any MB dealer's parts department.
I tried asking, specifically, what parts of the drivetrain were different between mine and an MBUSA, he started to talk about electronics and interior components - I kinda I figured I'd brought it to the wrong place at that point. The prices he mentioned were their way of saying "we really don't want to do this job."
I'm getting it towed to my previous shop where I've had good success.
Would've gone their first but this recommended shop was far closer - but, it appears, less knowledgeable.
I'd love to try to tackle this one on my own, but there is just no way I have the time to learn as I go. |
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: Front diff issues / help
If the center shaft CV boots are actually open, then I'd start there. You have to replace it anyway.
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| RE: Front diff issues / help
AlanMcR - 1/26/2015 5:30 PM
If the center shaft CV boots are actually open, then I'd start there. You have to replace it anyway.
Oh that's already on the list, but unfortunately that wasn't where the noise was coming from (the front diff beat them to it .  )
Edited by koly 1/26/2015 8:22 PM
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3006
| Re: Front diff issues / help
If you are so inclined, you could pull the cover and wipe it out well with some lint free cloths. That way you can make sure there is not some exploded spider gear fragments in there or something really bad. Would be cheap and easy to close up again.
As Alan alluded to, the clicking may be independent of the shavings in your diff fluid. Although it is concerning. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Front diff issues / help
I agree with Otiswesty.
It is easy to remove the Diff Cover. Be aware, you will need to re-seal it.
What maintenance interval have you applied to your diffs?
I do my Diff Fluid every 15K Miles as cheap insurance. I have had zero issues to date, knock on wood.
I was just on Eurotruck-importers website and they have the GKN center drive shaft rebuild kits in stock at a good price. It is the same as OEM. I would do that if I was you.
I am really surprised your center shaft CV boots were open. Were they torn open and leaking grease??? See if you can identify a tear and share a photo of this.
I had no reason to believe that the 500GE center drive shaft had ever been serviced. The boots were in great shape when I removed them to re-grease per G-AMG and his thread / recommendations.
Edited by H1LM002G55 1/27/2015 10:56 PM
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| Re: Front diff issues / help
H1LM002G55 - 1/27/2015 8:54 PM
What maintenance interval have you applied to your diffs?
25k-30k with redline. Just changed the fluid recently and didn't notice any issues - fluid still looked quite good.
I am really surprised your center shaft CV boots were open. Were they torn open and leaking grease??? See if you can identify a tear and share a photo of this.
I could basically stick my finger through the 2nd or 3rd inset portion of the rib on both boots (don't remember which rib, but it was in the middle of the boot). I could easily pry it open enough to see that little to no grease remained. I hadn't looked at them in years, so obviously, my laziness seems to have paid off  |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Front diff issues / help
Are you really sure that your front diff was making the noise???
If I was you, I would go for a second opinion. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Front diff issues / help
Why not talk to these folks...they are only a few miles down the road. Thoughts?
http://azdriveshaft.com/differentials/services-provided/ |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Front diff issues / help
Here is another option:
http://www.azdifferential.com/
Call them. Get on the horn and ask for someone who knows about offroad SUVs. Explain you have a G-Class. Ask if they have MB differential rebuilding expertise. ML experience counts, also.
It is not rocket science. I would rather it go to a specialty shop that only does diffs than a shop that does everything.
Edited by H1LM002G55 1/28/2015 3:01 PM
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atg
Veteran
Date registered: Nov 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Vehicle(s): 2005 G55, 1985 300tdt
Posts: 129
| RE: Front diff issues / help
Hard to believe Scottsdale doesn't have a g guru type shop! |
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