[W126 Coupe] diff dilemma

[Divov]

Thanks Axel - Good information.
My car is series 1.
The SL diff I picked up is presumably the series 2 type (no big rear rubber 
mount - instead a big round hole in an aluminium casting type)
I will take the back off & look inside. Although it doesn't perform as a LS 
diff according to the rotation test, perhaps its just worn. Surely an SL 
must have LS???
If it is LS, then I will see if the LS guts are transferable to a series 1 
type casing?
What I am trying to achieve is a LS with the right ratio - the crown wheel & 
pinion from a W116
Regards
Alec D.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Axel Wulff" <axelwulff at hotmail.com>
To: <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 2:50 AM
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] diff dilemma



> The Series 1 ('79 - '85) and the Series 2 cars ('86 - '91) have different 

> undercarriages and the differentials are not interchangeable.

>

> The diff on the Series 1 cars are interchangeable with a lot of different 

> MB models, including the W107 and the W116. If your car is a Series 2 

> W126, the diff from a 500 SL (W107) will NOT fit.

>

> Most MB diffs will not be LSD. Here in the US the 560s came with the 2.47 

> differential and all SECs had the LSD option. It varies for the sedans. 

> Some have LSD, some don't.

>

> Most 560s in Europe had the 2.65 differential. Again, some had LSD, others 

> didn't.

>

> The easiest way to identify an LSD diff is if it has the original sticker 

> which tells you to use special oil for "sperrdiffrenzials" only.

>

>

>

>

> Regards,

> Axel J. Wulff

> 610-731-5453 Cellular

> 610-572-4611 Home

>

>

>

>

>

>>From: "Divov" <divov at tiscali.co.za>

>>Reply-To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>

>>To: "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>

>>Subject: [W126 Coupe] diff dilemma

>>Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 22:48:46 +0200

>>

>>After Sundays race, the need for a LS diff was so obvious.

>>Today's visit to the breakers yard revealed any number of W126 diffs with 

>>the ratio 2.47 which I believe (?) is the ratio used in the 560SEC.

>>However, none of these diffs seem to be LS units (see test below) and I 

>>took the back plate off 1 and confirmed that it was not a LS unit so 

>>presumably these units all come from the 4 door sedans.

>>I have it on good authority that you can identify an LS unit by the 

>>following process:

>>

>>Hold the input shaft flange (prop shaft end) and rotate one of the side 

>>shaft flanges.

>>a) If this diff is LS; the other side flange will rotate in the same 

>>direction as the flange you are turning.

>>b) If the opposite side flange turns in the opposite rotation to the one 

>>you are turning, this is a standard non LS diff.

>>

>>Alternatively,

>>jack the car lifting both rear wheels. (hand brake off)

>>Rotate 1 wheel (say in the direction to move the car forward) ;- which way 

>>does the opposite wheel rotate?

>>a) If it  rotates also as if to drive the car forward, the diff is an LS 

>>diff.

>>b) If the opposite side wheel rotates so as if to reverse the car, this is 

>>a normal non LS diff.

>>

>>Can anyone confirm this test?? i.e. If you know your car has an LS unit, 

>>does it behave as described above?

>>What bothers me is that I did not find a single diff, from any MB model, 

>>which performed per an LS diff using the above test.

>>There is a diff claiming to come from a W126 500SL (with ratio of 2.24) 

>>which doesn't behave as a LS unit per the above test and surely to 

>>goodness Merc gave the SL's an LS diff??? Incidentally this "SL" diff has 

>>a totally different casing to our SEC diffs and does not have the big rear 

>>'rubber mounting'

>>It also has some electrical solenoid or whatever with wires coming out of 

>>it??

>>The part # on the rear cover is R1263510908 & stamped on the right "ear" 

>>is 0865442   2.24

>>Anyone out there able to cast any light on this???????

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>The part # on the rear cover is

>

>

>>The MB Coupes Website!

>>W126 SEC Mailing List

>>Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

>

>

> The MB Coupes Website!

> W126 SEC Mailing List

> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.