Mercedes W123 Differential Restoration
Go to getroman.com/RESTORE for $15 dollars off your first order of ED
treatment.
In this episode of Restore It, we restore and rebuild the differential from the Mercedes W123 2180CE. I noticed it was leaking at the front and rear when I had the car on the lift. I asked the owner if he'd like me to restore it and he of course gave me the go-ahead. This episode documents the entire process.
Thanks for watching. Subscribe for more!
#restoration #mercedes #differential
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
00:27 - Getroman.com/restore
01:14 - Draining the oil
01:45 - Removing the drain plug
02:02 - Removing the rear case
03:02 - Removing the driveshafts
03:26 - Removing the pinion nut - beginning
03:53 - Removing the side seals
04:11 - Removing the large circlips
04:33 - Removing the side bearing races
04:51 - Removing the differential from the case
05:12 - Removing the side bearings from the differential
05:43 - Removing the pinion nut - end
06:00 - Removing the pinion shaft
06:15 - Removing the drive flange
06:19 - Removing the pinion seal
06:44 - Removing the pinion bearing races
06:51 - knowling
07:14 - Removing all of the smelly oil
07:23 - Shot blasting
07:53 - Removing rust the blaster missed
09:09 - Rust converting the main case
09:37 - Masking for paint
10:42 - Etching primer
11:03 - High build primer
11:19 - Basecoats
11:39 - Quartz crystal clear
12:07 - Curing the paint with the infrared lamp
12:13 - All of the new and restored parts
12:40 - Installing the pinion bearing races
13:06 - Installing the pinion shaft
13:24 - Installing the pinion seal
13:32 - Installing the drive flange
13:41 - Testing the preload and making adjustments
13:54 - Seating the pinion nut
14:02 - Installing the side bearings
14:18 - Installing the differential into the case
14:32 - Installing the side bearing races
14:58 - Testing the backlash
15:19 - Installing the side seals
15:28 - Electroplating the drain and fill plugs
16:22 - Installing the rear case
17:05 - Installing the fill plug
17:20 - Installing the drain plug
17:33 - Installing the mounting threads
17:56 - Installing the oil breather pipe
18:08 - Final shots
18:50 - Whats next & Thanks
Tools & equipment used:
Quartz Lacquer - goo.gl/8PTVKM
Base Coat Paint - goo.gl/mWhufG
Rust Remover - goo.gl/13gopW
Rohr 250 Welder - bit.ly/33mkOGP
U-Pol Weld Through Primer #2 - bit.ly/2qL38ak
Fast Mover 1kW Infrared Paint Dryer, Stand, Timer - bit.ly/2WYR9jJ
Workbenches - arborgardensolutions.co.uk
Moldex Full Face Mask - goo.gl/NNYGrv
FGL 5 Spray gun - goo.gl/Acg5rd
A.N.I. R150-T Mini Spray gun - goo.gl/cHTJS2
Colad Washable Overalls - goo.gl/3Css9E
Colad Mixing Cups - goo.gl/8DYmE8
Colad TurboMix Sticks - goo.gl/cYZfks
Colad Synthetic Paint Strainers - goo.gl/H79ZgL
Steel wire bits - geni.us/keyaD
Blasting Cabinet - bit.ly/2GxvKJ7
Blasting pot - bit.ly/32TMnrU
Cordless Ratchet - bit.ly/30YNlkG
Parts Washer - bit.ly/2K5G9wA
Rotary Tool - geni.us/HGed
Concentrate Degreaser - geni.us/yUn9
Mannesmann Socket Set - geni.us/HCDZ
Follow me on Social media to keep up to date with videos and behind the scenes.
My Patreon Page:
/ restoreit
My Twitter Page:
/ restore__it
My Facebook Page:
/ restoreitchannel
My Instagram Page:
@RestoreItChannel
PayPal Donations:
Restoreitchannel@gmail.com
Discord
I now also have a discord server if you want to chill with like-minded people and maybe learn something new:
/ discord
Protip: don't throw old bearing races. Clean them, chuck them in a bin and keep them. You never know when you'll need one for God knows what kind of puller, pusher, spacer etc. You also don't need to waste too much cleaner on stuff like that. Get Naphtha and dunk the part in it. It will come out nearly clean (if you swirl the part after an hour, it will be clean) and ready for further and final cleanup. BEWARE tho, to not do this inside a small area, and beware that Naphtha is gasoline like flammable only worse. Best part about it is the fact that you can keep reusing it until the cows come home. The only thing you need to do is sieve it through a few napkins stuffed inside a metal funnel and it will be clear once more. Best cleaner you can buy, hands down.
👍
Thanhs
when i see the Restore It video i drop everything and i watch :D
Cheers mate!
hahahah likewise! I just saw this and literally gasped with excitement hahahaha.
hi, i'm new to this business, can you see how i restore??
Me too
Great video 👍 To anyone planning on replacing the oil in any part of their transmission then always ensure that you can remove the filler plug first before draining.
Was thinking that very thing when he went for the drain plug first.
Preventive like
Why not ay :D
Pre-emptive. Lol
That far in I would have replaced all the bearings.
Me too
hi, i'm new to this business, can you see how i restore??.
Then you would have to set the gears, quite a painstaking process.
@@xandervk2371 its not the bearing you have to set preload and lash from its the crush sleeve. i saw him checking preload but not backlash. no clue if you set pattern since i didnt see any shims for the diff itself
@@NeonSlug562 Not the side bearings themselves, but tolerances (lateral play) may change as a result of replacing them.
All that effort, all that money, and the owner reuses a diff bearing? I thought I had heard it all. Thanks for the laugh though. Oh and of course great video as always.
In addition to your many other talents, you have some serious masking skills.
👍
I don't usually write comments on youtube, or anywhere.. but I have to say that you are so much inspiration for me man. Every little piece of what you do is quality work, and that is what I also like to do, and I appreciate that you show this and how to do these step-by-step. I have learned a LOT from you. thank you.
Hey Gábor, thanks for the comment! I'm really glad you enjoy the videos and are learning things. It makes what I do all the more worth it, so really, thanks for the comment!
fantastic, thank you; did you feel a difference in driving quality after the cleaning of differential?
I think its a good practice to always unscrew the fill plug before the drain plug, just so that in a scenario if we cant undo the the fill plug after draining its probably not good ☺️
I agree Albert cheers!
Hello, great video, thank you. Now I know what to expect because I'm planning this right now. I have a small request. Do you have a list of all the parts and their numbers that you bought from Mercedes? VG from Berlin Bart
I see you had a scare with the fill plug😂😂 best to always start with that. That way you will know if you will be able to refill the diff back.
Well yeah, but now its on the table, so you can just put exact amount of oil in it from drain plug and then install on to the car.
After a Tiring day, it is so smoothing to be able to watch one of your restoration videos.
Beautiful work as usual, the transformation was incredible. Keep 'em coming!
Fair play on the made-up tool for the circlips! Pretty brilliant if you ask me. I will definitely be using this technique in the future myself!
Absolutely breathtaking video thank you for treating this like a fine surgeon.
Rusty hunk of metal made to look wonderful. Great work my friend.
Cheers Mark!
Wow it's like a throwback episode from when you first started doing the BMW parts, great stuff as always.
Be awesome to see a timer when you do the plating. Give a realistic idea of how long that takes.
This is a question for foreign car fans. Does Mercedes also make the Maybach cars? I’m a American car guy so I don’t know a lot about foreign car stuff but it’s so cool to watch this guy restore cars that I don’t know much about.
Your videos are the highlight of my day. There is so much still to be done so it will go on for quite some time! I look forward to every episode.
Independent rear suspension from that time period , incredible
Travajos perfectos,como siempre.Un placer ver tus videos 👍🏻
man, i love your workbench videos!!! i wish someday i'll have time and the tools to do something like this!! wish you all the best!! Cheers from Sao Paulo, Brazil!!
Big thanks Thiago! Glad you enjoy them!
Hi, Great video. I currently have the diff off my car and want to do the same. Were you able to get all the replacement parts direct from Mercedes? Thanks
Good job! That preloader tool came in handy. 😁
You introduced me to etching primer. Amazing stuff. Thank you
How have you not been sponsored by Dremel yet? You’re like their poster child! Great video!
"...carefully..." 8D You are an inspiration to us all!
Thanks for the chapters and time stamps. I wish every creator would do the same!
Молодцы парни, колоссальную работу проделали! У вас руки золотые!
Awesome job, the reason I say, is that I have seen some videos where the differential was also restored but when it was worked on, it still had the original parts from when the car was made,👌👌👌👌👍👍👍👍
Stirling work young man!
Amazing work ! Perfect result , hello from France
Thank you for preserving this car's reputation for being too well engineered to die. Great job on the video. I'm still way too intimidated to try this on my E32's differential. I will ship mine out to professionals. That diff looks like it's ready for another 100,000 km or more.
Thank you Brian. Its a pretty daunting task. You have to make sure identical parts go back in the same way they came out, or else the whole things out of spec. Glad you enjoyed it!
Looks fantastic mate. Would a better finish be powder coating? Would you ever consider getting a powder coating setup or not worth it?
Great job and video.👍 One question, which sealant did you use to seal the endcover?
Thanks for this video, just wondering what was the preload figure set to, on the pull scale you used on the pinion shaft?
Boah, fantastic! Loved it! Beautiful work.
Did this resto feel a lot like the E30 diff. And you are the King of Chapter Markers! "Carefully pried out..." Nice work mate.
I hope you did the touch up painting for the paint damages on the pre-load thing that connects to the pinion shaft.
Another great video as usual. This thing's going to look great when it's done!
Cheers!
That diff turned out great!
Thanks dude!
There is a start contrast between your work and guys from Amazing Technology on youtube. Both offer great entertainment values, lol
As always cannot ask for anything less,great job.👍👍👍😎😎😎
Cheers Tom!
That some stunning work mate.
Cheers Dave! Appreciate it
Honest question - I would have thought a more resistant pain systems could be used other than typical paint with clear coat. I know some 2 pack paints are specifically designed for the underside of the car which may give more durable results - I personally prefer the powder coating way for bits like these. Is there any reason you go down this road apart from having your own booth?
Hes doing it on the owners budget.
@@ToyotaLandCruiser he's doing what the owner says. Like, you know the thing where they say I want this done please?
thank you for the videos! you inspired me to start making own videos here on KZhead. Thanks for the inspiration 😊
Good luck! 😊
Excellent work 👏👏
Thank you Ziyad!
Clean job as always! Btw, which compressor do You have? Bought a portable sandblaster and they recommend 100lts and 3hp minimum...
Congratulations on your work! I have a 280SE MB, with this differential. I have a doubt. The two rear wheels traction, but the left wheel only tractions, when somehow I brake the right wheel. Shouldn't the two wheels be pulling simultaneously? Thanks!
That was amazing. Thanks for the video!
Excellent restoration video 👏👏👏
What a design clips inside the diff for the shafts lol. I said before I wish you were over here in N. I. Love your work
Oh my god managed to get the video before it has any views XD This is the first time I see the counter say "No views" Good video it was a blast watching it :)
Haha thanks Neolitic!
yes this is good video
Dude, awesome content! Thanks
Great job guys 👍. Cheers
Cheers Sony!
Les gars vous avez fait du travail sensationnel, bravo pour la réparation de ce pont, vous l'avez refais intégralement dans les règles .Didier
wonderful camera work, thanks for sharing
Quality work with passion
Excellent work
Nice job. Looks much better now.
Every time you talk about Get Roman, I keep waiting to hear Eric Idle in the background, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Here's a little number I tossed off recently in the Caribbean. Isn't it awfully nice to have a....."
Πολύ καλή δουλειά. Μπράβο
Excellent presentation, well done and thank you..
Lovely done!
Splendid job as always! What's your opinion on dry ice detailing?
I'm having the engine from the merc ice blasted, I think it looks great!
@@RestoreIt I can't wait to see the video!
That dude has my favorite pair of vans on. They only have them in the uk now I can’t find them in the states.
Excellent. Well done. The best.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful videos I am from South Africa
Thanks for watching :D
Magnusson,the best tools ❤ i have a tool set and is very good quality,you are doing a great work,take care
Great Job!!!....Thank you!!!
When the diff is still installed in the car, make sure to always open the filler plug first! If that one's rusted in you'd have to turn the car on its roof to refill the diff.
Boa tarde do Brazil. Como é regulada a folga entre coroa e pinhão. Não vi calços laterais .
Perfection!
Look at that man living dangerously and removing the drain plug before the fill plug!
Thanks for the instructions. Witch size is the nut in the front of the differential?🤔
Great work
Just one quastion, how are you going to install the driveshafts if you have already completely assembled the rear axle gearbox. After all, the disks are fixed from the inside?
They just keep getting better
I just wanna say I can appreciate those who paint for a living cause it’s not easy
Great video! Where did you source your bearings, seals etc from? I am trying to get a rebuild kit for my W123.
I think he mentioned that all replacement parts came from Mercedes Benz.
@@raydelpino2906 Thanks for that. I managed to track down the part numbers via EPC since he wasn't keen on replying.
What is the preloaded settings? The length of the arm? Etc... Fantastic work by the way
My BMW rear end in a 1973 2002 is very similar. Thank you for posting!
Очень здорово! 👍 Очень вдохновляюсь вашей работой! 🤝👍👍👍
Это не более чем наведение красоты...
@@user-fp4oo3ei9c не соглашусь с вами.
@@user-fp4oo3ei9c наведение красоты - это кисточкой сверху покрасить, не разбирая
You can buy the main pair separately for the 3.46 gearbox ?
Nice work
Вот это красота....работа отличная
Hi, what force in NM to tighten the nut? Thank you
You must introduce us to the new deckhands! Just say this is Neil and this is Martin, even if they don’t want to be on video :)
It was only Mark giving us a hand. He's not keen on the camera haha. James has been introduced i think in the first Merc video :)
Good job👍💪 it's great to watch. You can see the full professionalism What is the total cost of such restoration? Greetings from Poland. Jurek🙂
I have a question. When did you start restoring cars? And how long have you been doing this?
That was therapeutic to watch
I'm curious, is it possible to swap different diff gearings inside the same housing like say I want to put a w116 or a w126 diff gears with LSD into the w123 housing is that possible ?
I'm not sure Adel, Check out the facebook groups on both the 123 and 126, the folks there will know for sure. You could also check the part numbers in RealOEM to see if they are the same or not. Cheers!
Yes i'm a mercedes benz specialist if you want to contact me i'll give you further details , and YES a w116 diff can be bolted to a w123 , Hit me up on instagram (shdou_la)
Keeping the same housing (w126 housing is much bigger) the lowest ratio possible is from the 200D German taxi model. Gripper in the UK can make an LSD. Nothing factory fits the w123 housing. They made the first one for me so I’ve already paid the design costs.
Insane!
Cheers!
What type of grease you used on the tapered roller bearings please ?
Close up on the zinc plated nut. Now this is a man who understands his audience.
👍
No grease between the seal double lips ? The grease stops the outer dust lip from burning due to shaft friction.
Svaka čast!
Amazing Man..!