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Floobydust
Veteran
Date registered: Mar 2014
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Vehicle(s): 1995 E320 Cabrio, 2003 G500, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8
Posts: 284
| Sourcing a transfer case ?
I've finally come to the conclusion that I am faced with replacing the transfer case on G, so I am starting to look into it. So far I have found two potential sources. The first is one of the discount MB dealers where I can get an MB reman unit for about $3100 plus shipping.
I also found this one on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/221626891023?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&s... The seller thinks it is a brand new unit, but the 0088 on the PN tag says it is an MB reman unit. I wouldn't offer anything near what he has it listed for and would only consider offering less than MB price because the MB version comes with a known history and a warranty. Ebay would be somewhat caveat emptor. Does anyone know anything about this seller, the unit or have some thoughts on the wisdom of taking a run at it?
Lastly, I spoke with ET a while back and unfortunately they do not have a TC in "known condition", so does anyone have thoughts as to another source?
Thanks again to everyone for bearing with me on my saga.
- FD
Edited by Floobydust 1/4/2015 12:00 AM
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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: Sourcing a transfer case ?
Floobydust - 1/3/2015 11:59 PM
Lastly, I spoke with ET a while back and unfortunately they do not have a TC in "known condition", so does anyone have thoughts as to another source?
- FD
http://www.pgauto.com/ |
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Floobydust
Veteran
Date registered: Mar 2014
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Vehicle(s): 1995 E320 Cabrio, 2003 G500, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8
Posts: 284
| RE: Sourcing a transfer case ?
Thank you, Dutch. I tired Potomac early on. The had not seen a TC in over a year. |
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atg
Veteran
Date registered: Nov 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Vehicle(s): 2005 G55, 1985 300tdt
Posts: 129
| Re: Sourcing a transfer case ?
There are lots of gs out here. Some of them have to be crashing. Maybe call Mark at Sun Valley and see who he suggests checking with +1 818-782-2300 |
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: Sourcing a transfer case ?
Calling Marc would be a good idea, as he is well connected. I'm sort of thinking that it might be easier to get a TC in Europe than in the US, particularly for an older MBUSA G because not so many were brought into the country. I would recommend you speak with Chris, the owner of Mercman in the UK (www.mercman.co.uk). My visits to the van de Velde wrecking yard this summer and fall & discussions with my friend Marc (who owns that yard; the biggest MB-specific yard in continental Europe) indicated he has a few older 460s but nothing newer, and he doesn't really deal in them. I have two other G-specific sources in the Munich area if you need a further resource to try; if so kindly let me know. Cheers,
Gerry
Edited by gerryvz 1/4/2015 8:58 PM
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G-AMG
G-Class DIY Host
Date registered: May 2006
Location: South Texas
Vehicle(s): '04 G55, '80 280GE, '99 S420, '98 E320, 2011 E350
| Re: Sourcing a transfer case ?
I would consider one of the Mercedes "REMANUFACTURED" T/C's.
And no, "Remanufactured" is not the same as "Rebuilt", or "Overhauled". It is, literally, a T/C which has been put back on the Factory Assembly line, and Re-Manufactured.
They are available in the USA, and are MUCH cheaper than a "New" one (often times a FRACTION of a New Part Cost).
Typically, it is the Standard Part#, with a "-87" modifier on the end.
http://www.mbwholesaleparts.com/downloads/Reman_Portfolio_Overview_...
Edited by G-AMG 1/5/2015 12:55 PM
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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: Sourcing a transfer case ?
I agree with G-AMG.
X2. This is the only way to go. The transfer cases are not designed to be use overhauled or repaired by end-users. They require special tools to work on. There are bushings and spacers internally that are a PIA to adjust and set. Not worth the risk. If you can get a KNOWN GOOD TC off of a wrecked vehicle, you can do that, but I would ONLY buy one if it was SIGNIFICANTLY lower price than the reman unit from MB. The Reman unit will also have warranty. Save your receipt just in case.
Edited by H1LM002G55 1/5/2015 1:47 PM
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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: Sourcing a transfer case ?
I wonder if the poster is suffering from frozen differential gears ??? Based on the grinding noise...Hmmm. |
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Floobydust
Veteran
Date registered: Mar 2014
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Vehicle(s): 1995 E320 Cabrio, 2003 G500, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8
Posts: 284
| RE: Sourcing a transfer case ?
Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I know that the best option is to go with the MB reman unit (the P/N is 463 280 17 00 88) as they are virtually new and much cheaper than an truly new unit. But before I committed to that, I just wanted see if there was a less expensive option such as a known good TC or even the ebay listing (which again, I would only do at a good discount to the MB reman price). My wallet has hemorrhaged so much on this G it required stitches, so I'm trying to save if I can.
I don't think the issue is frozen differential gears because the truck will not move with the front or rear drive shafts removed and the differential lock disengaged. If the TC diff was frozen, there would be some movement with the TC diff lock disengaged. But the thought did give me some momentary hope!
- FD
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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: Sourcing a transfer case ?
I understand the amount of time and money you have thrown at the problem. Keep in mind, you will have the option to return your core transfer case and receive a substantial refund if you move in that direction.
I would ONLY buy a "used" transfer case if it was HALF the cost of the reman unit.
Looking at the economics of it, in my opinion, it does not make sense to pay more than half for something that is used, with no warranty, and with unknown internal condition. |
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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: Sourcing a transfer case ?
I would also ONLY buy the used transfer case if I had a WRITTEN stipulation from seller offering a 30 day warranty. With a note on your behalf that you are going to have the transfer case professionally installed by a MB mechanic or dealer. The transfer case is not that hard to install. I would bet 3-4 billable hours labor tops. |
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nadd
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: UAE, Dubai
Vehicle(s): G500 2016 LHD, numerous Chevys
Posts: 1285
| Re: Sourcing a transfer case ?
I think you would be hard pressed to find a better price than that first link you posted on ebay, even for a rebuilt one. I know of a couple of places in Austria and Germany that say they rebuild them but even then it will cost at least $5k as I have recently done some research but on the pre-2002 463G. |
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Floobydust
Veteran
Date registered: Mar 2014
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Vehicle(s): 1995 E320 Cabrio, 2003 G500, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8
Posts: 284
| RE: Sourcing a transfer case ?
FedEx brought me a little present today - a squeaky clean MB re-man transfer case, shipped directly from MB in NJ. I got it for what I though was a really good deal, but then I opened it and found out the the re-man TC came with a brand spanking new shift motor as well! Now it's a great deal! Somehow my old TC shift motor knew there was a new TC in the back of the truck because literally on the way home, the TC went into "neutral" when I stopped at the grocery store!
I'm still waiting for new flange nuts and new bolts for the homokinetic shaft (if you're going to do it . . . ), plus I am traveling until next Wednesday, so I won't be able to to install it for about 10 days. I hope it does the trick!
BTW, what are acceptable lubricants for the new TC? MB part number 001 989 28 03 10 is specified, but this is a 20 liter container!. I know it's 75-90W and I was running Mobile-1 in the old TC. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
- FD
Edited by Floobydust 2/18/2015 11:03 PM
 (New TC 1s.jpg)
 (New TC 2s.jpg)
Attachments
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 New TC 1s.jpg (141KB - 1 downloads)
New TC 2s.jpg (197KB - 2 downloads)
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G-AMG
G-Class DIY Host
Date registered: May 2006
Location: South Texas
Vehicle(s): '04 G55, '80 280GE, '99 S420, '98 E320, 2011 E350
| Re: Sourcing a transfer case ?
Flooby-
Glad you decided on the Re-Man unit.
In terms of Oil? I have spent extensive.... EXTENSIVE time, searching world-wide, and USA-Wide, Including MBUSA, and my Dealer, trying to find an Approved Fluid.
Bottom Line? You really CAN'T source *ANY* of the Specified BeVo Mercedes Lubricants for the Transfer Case.
I *DID* find a Barrel of the "Detroit Diesel" Approved Fluid in El Paso, but they won't Ship since it is a "Hazardous Material".
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolistenmain.php?navigation_path=be...
So, I don't know what to tell you... I guess "I" will still use the Redline MT-90.
To be honest? I opted to go back to "Specified" Lubes during my 100K Service. I replaced EVERY fluid (Axles, etc) with the Specifed, M-B Bottled Fluid.
The only one I could NOT source was the Transfer Case Oil |
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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: Sourcing a transfer case ?
G-AMG - 2/19/2015 10:16 AM
So, I don't know what to tell you... I guess "I" will still use the Redline MT-90.
To be honest? I opted to go back to "Specified" Lubes during my 100K Service. I replaced EVERY fluid (Axles, etc) with the Specifed, M-B Bottled Fluid.
The only one I could NOT source was the Transfer Case Oil
My leaky memory tells me that the RedLine tech person recommended MT-90 for the earlier manual W463 TC, but recommended a different oil for the later W463 TC's with electric shift. I can't remember which one he said was better to use. Possibly the MTL 75W80 GL-4 Gear Oil, but I can't be sure about that. I would contact Redline's tech and ask. |
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G-AMG
G-Class DIY Host
Date registered: May 2006
Location: South Texas
Vehicle(s): '04 G55, '80 280GE, '99 S420, '98 E320, 2011 E350
| RE: Sourcing a transfer case ?
Hmmm, I thought it was the Opposite... the OLDER T/C's took the 80W, and the NEW ones the 75W-90 GL-4.
Or, at least that is how I interpret WIS (Attached).
 (TC Oil.jpg)
Attachments
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TC Oil.jpg (199KB - 1 downloads)
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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: Sourcing a transfer case ?
G-AMG - 2/19/2015 11:36 AM
Hmmm, I thought it was the Opposite... the OLDER T/C's took the 80W, and the NEW ones the 75W-90 GL-4.
Or, at least that is how I interpret WIS (Attached).
At the recommendation of the Redline Tech Guy, I've been using MT-90 in my TC for several years now. |
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Floobydust
Veteran
Date registered: Mar 2014
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Vehicle(s): 1995 E320 Cabrio, 2003 G500, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8
Posts: 284
| RE: Sourcing a transfer case ?
I checked with Redline and MT-90 is the recommended oil for my G transfer case. I was going to order some up, but Amazon has been down for a while. . . . |
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: Sourcing a transfer case ?
Floob,
I've got an early (1995) non-electric shift 463 and used the RedLine MT-90 in the transfer case, and the RedLine 75W-90 Gear Oil in the diffs.
More here: http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7089
Cheers,
Gerry |
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Floobydust
Veteran
Date registered: Mar 2014
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Vehicle(s): 1995 E320 Cabrio, 2003 G500, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8
Posts: 284
| RE: Sourcing a transfer case ?
From what I have read a API GL-5 oils are formulated for the high shear loads that occur in hypoid gear systems like those found in the differentials whereas API Gl-4 oils are formulated for compression loads found in spiral bevel gears like those in transmissions and, of course, the transfer case. The "slipperiness" of GL-4 oils is also better controlled so that the synchronizers engage properly. The choice of viscosity, on the other hand, seems to be primarily a function of the service environment and the characteristics of the lubrication system that services the gear system in use.
As per your experience and Redline's recommendation, the MT-90, 75W-90, GL-4 oil does indeed seem like it should be very appropriate for the TC.
Thank you again everyone for your input!
- FD
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