Front Differential Fluid Change
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Capitanlento
New member
I did some tests, with 75w90 synthetic oil and molybdenum disulfide grease I was not successful. with mineral oil motul 85w140 the noise is much lowered both hot and cold. greetings from Italy
4wheeldog
2018 144" Tall Revel
I changed the gear lube in both differentials today (2018) and was disappointed to find the rear drain plug is not magnetic.
I will be replacing that as soon as I locate a magnetic one.
On the other hand......Both the drain and fill are magnetic on the front. Talk about two distinct engineering philosophies.....
I was also disappointed when I drained approximately 400 mls from the front, and put in between 600 and 700.
There was very little crap on the magnet, so I don’t suspect any damage. I am glad I did it at 13k miles rather than waiting until the proscribed 100k.
I will be replacing that as soon as I locate a magnetic one.
On the other hand......Both the drain and fill are magnetic on the front. Talk about two distinct engineering philosophies.....
I was also disappointed when I drained approximately 400 mls from the front, and put in between 600 and 700.
There was very little crap on the magnet, so I don’t suspect any damage. I am glad I did it at 13k miles rather than waiting until the proscribed 100k.
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I drained and refilled my front and rear diff recently and wanted to share what I found.
With only 4300 miles on the van, I found the front differential drain plug to be completely gunked up with metal shavings.
Here is a link to the video I took.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/t4ZcdUUnmnGREtot5
The front diff drain and fill plugs both have magnets on them. The rear diff does not. Instead it has a rubber fill plug that you pop off with your fingers and a 14mm hex socket with a drain plug that has no magnet attached.
I was going to empty the transfer case too but after slowly letting the drain plug out I saw a little fluid leak out and noticed it was not gear oil but transmission oil. Apparently it needs ATF 134 which Shell sells and I bought on Amazon.
With only 4300 miles on the van, I found the front differential drain plug to be completely gunked up with metal shavings.
Here is a link to the video I took.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/t4ZcdUUnmnGREtot5
The front diff drain and fill plugs both have magnets on them. The rear diff does not. Instead it has a rubber fill plug that you pop off with your fingers and a 14mm hex socket with a drain plug that has no magnet attached.
I was going to empty the transfer case too but after slowly letting the drain plug out I saw a little fluid leak out and noticed it was not gear oil but transmission oil. Apparently it needs ATF 134 which Shell sells and I bought on Amazon.
Midwestdrifter
Engineer In Residence
The plugs look totally normal to me.
4wheeldog
2018 144" Tall Revel
After trying unsuccessfully to locate a part number for a stock MB magnetic differential drain plug, I bought a Dimple.
It has by far the strongest magnet of any drain plug I have experience with. So much so I had difficulty centering the plug in the hole.
I doubt the magnet being overly strong makes much difference in how much crud it will pick up.
It has by far the strongest magnet of any drain plug I have experience with. So much so I had difficulty centering the plug in the hole.
I doubt the magnet being overly strong makes much difference in how much crud it will pick up.
CactusJackSlade
Active member
Nice find! Do you have a part number?
4wheeldog
2018 144" Tall Revel
https://drainplugmagnets.com/cars/mercedes-benz/
M14x1.5×24 Magnetic Drain Plug For Mercedes Benz
Mercedes 2000-present most models 1980s-present many models
This Dimple magnetic drain plug is equipped with a high-temperature magnet for unmatched performance under extreme conditions. It fits most Mercedes Benz models from 2000 to the present, and many models from the 1980’s on up with 4 and 6-cylinder engines using the 14mm drain plug.
$35.95
M24x1.5 Metric Taper Magnetic Drain Plug for Mercedes
Rear differentials
Dimple’s M24x1.5 tapered magnetic drain plug is fitted with a deep-set, powerful 1/2″ magnet.
CactusJackSlade
Active member
To add even more confusion to this thread, I just called my local MB dealer to see if they had the Mobile 1 Delvac 75W-90 in stock. The parts guy, after conferring with someone else at the parts counter, said they use Mobile 1 75W-90 LS (and I believe the LS is for limited slip). What am I supposed to think now??! The Delvac is hard to find, the LS is easy to find :-( I wish someone could definitively say if using a gear oil meant for a limited slip differential would harm the non-diff rear end on the Sprinters.
4wheeldog
2018 144" Tall Revel
The Delvac is not that hard to find. I bought it from Summit, because they had the best deal, but it is available from Grainger's or Amazon as well.
I have even seen it on the shelf in a truck stop.
CactusJackSlade
Active member
Well, not hard to find but in my area not a single store carries it - I ordered online (yes, ez to find)
Sprinter SS
Well-known member
I find the dealer on my MB van and cars regularly uses something "close" to spec, not always exact which surprises/does not surprise me i guess. All the more reason i like doing maintenance myself.
4wheeldog
2018 144" Tall Revel
My 2018 came with magnetic plugs in both the drain and fill. Anybody else find this?
I changed it at 10k and again at 50k. Not much on the magnets, and the fluid color was not darkened.
Evan, The video you shared is no longer visible. I'm looking to change my own front diff fluid also but can't locate the plugs etc. Do you mind helping me out by sharing where they are etc. Thanks.
Thanks so much for these photos. Very helpful in seeing where the front diff plugs are. I've been scratching my head for hours as I didn't see it in the manual. Do you have a different maintenance manual?