[W126 Coupe] Rear diff?

[David G. Cole]

Markus,

Yes, should have held my tongue on that one.

The diff is sitting in stu's old shop (technically this should now be
called Mark's shop as he sold it to Mark a few years ago) because it has
some chips with stress cracks in the worm gears. This is the starting
point of a major destruction and I did not want the diff in the car when
it explodes. As Eddie can attest, when this happens it is not a pretty
sight.

Currently looking into what it will cost to have new worm gears, and
possibly the ring gear, machined new. Eddie is correct, new parts are no
longer available (barring NOS forgotten on a shelf somewhere) and the
manufacturer will not support this old a diff. Early opinion is that the
worm gears were not made of the same type material as the original MB
gears and are the weak link, alloy wise, in the system. There have been
numerous accounts of the gleason diffs exploding.

Needless to say, it ain't gonna be cheap, bench time alone for
re-alignment looks to be in the $1500-$1800 range plus the cost of the new
bits. And don't kid yourself, an MB diff requires special jigs to align
correctly, we are not talking a chevy diff gear swap for $500. Hence, it
is setting on the shelf while I decide how to play this out. That combined
with me being out of the country so much any more because of work that it
has taken a back seat to other priorities in my life.

And I might has well be complete in my comments, in regards to how this
will now turn interesting for richard in regards to talking to Stu.... not
wanting to put words into Stu's mouth, but he generally has little patance
for time wasters after they refuse to listen to solid advice in the first
place. This song and dance has been played out by richard over and over
and over..... There is a reason he asks his questions here on an SEC list,
even though he does not have an SEC, instead of over on Ritter's list with
far more people who are very familiar with his specific car. A bit harsh
maybe, but factual.

dave



---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] Rear diff?
From:    "Markus Meyer" <mfmeyer at iwon.com>
Date:    Wed, August 30, 2006 11:25 am
To:      dc at dc-mc.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 David, Okay, you've raised more than a little interest I'm sure. What's
this diff sitting in Stu's old shop?  Something you are using, not using,
what's the story?!

Markus
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