sprinter differential lifespan

ebsprintin · Mar 8, 2012

We recently had a good discussion on the life of sprinter transmissions here. In the spirit of that thread, how about sprinter rear ends? Has anyone had to replace or rebuild theirs? Is there a replacement rear end comparable to the Silver Star transmission? How many miles did you get out of the differential, and what kind of warning did you have?

eb

Turtle · Mar 8, 2012

I've actually never heard of anyone having to replace theirs. My Sprinter technician has never replaced one, and there are precious few posts about it on Sprinter Source about it other than changing the fluid at the right time with the correct fluid.

briggie1 · Mar 8, 2012

a friend of mine had to replace his rear end in the summer and last month his transmission, he has a 2007 sprinter, but i dont think he had the right fuid in his rearend

Turtle · Mar 8, 2012

Yeah, people think gear oil is gear oil, but like everything else with a Sprinter, if it's not on The List, don't use it.

For 06 and earlier models, it must meet MB Spec 235.0 or 235.6 (Shell Spirax MB 90, Caltex Hypoid LD, or MOPAR® Part No. 04874469).

Later model years must meet MB Spec 235.20 or 235.8 (BP Energear Hyep DC 80W-90, Mobil Delvac Synthetic Gear Oil 75W-90, or MOPAR® Part No. 04874469).

chefdennis · Mar 8, 2012

I talked to a guy not too long ago that had to replace the whole differential house, center gear set axles and axle bearings, the complete assembly..Why? It was bent and he readily admitted it was cause by his continually over loading it...he also had some really nice heavry "Wrinkles" in the sidewalls of the van itself...because he also said that he often over tightens the straps on heavy freight on the e-track he installed on the walls...Seeing the wrinkles were what started the conversation....

Turtle · Mar 8, 2012

The side walls of an empty Coke can are stronger than the side walls of a Sprinter.

chefdennis · Mar 8, 2012

Turtle wrote:

The side walls of an empty Coke can are stronger than the side walls of a Sprinter.

I seen it at the Loves in Gray Ind..It was a Dark Blue and the waves and wrinkles stood out bad and lloked like a washboard...

OntarioVanMan · Mar 8, 2012

chefdennis said:
I talked to a guy not too long ago that had to replace the whole differential house, center gear set axles and axle bearings, the complete assembly..Why? It was bent and he readily admitted it was cause by his continually over loading it...he also had some really nice heavry "Wrinkles" in the sidewalls of the van itself...because he also said that he often over tightens the straps on heavy freight on the e-track he installed on the walls...Seeing the wrinkles were what started the conversation....

Being a unibody...overloading has in some extreme cases caused the body to twist ..you'll never be right again

xiggi · Mar 9, 2012

I had to replace the rear axle on an 07. The splines that mated with the diff gears basically sheared off. I had not overloaded it and when it happened only had about 300lbs on.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using EO Forums

purgoose10 · Mar 9, 2012

That just makes me want to go out and buy one. LOL! Nothing beats a low life Chevy or Ford.

LDB · Mar 9, 2012

Turtle said:
For 06 and earlier models, it must meet MB Spec 235.0 or 235.6 (Shell Spirax MB 90, Caltex Hypoid LD, or MOPAR® Part No. 04874469).

Later model years must meet MB Spec 235.20 or 235.8 (BP Energear Hyep DC 80W-90, Mobil Delvac Synthetic Gear Oil 75W-90, or MOPAR® Part No. 04874469).

So this is the magic solution since it's good on all of them?

OntarioVanMan · Mar 9, 2012

purgoose10 said:
That just makes me want to go out and buy one. LOL! Nothing beats a low life Chevy or Ford.

Just turned 680,000....not a repair since last summer...

Turtle · Mar 9, 2012

LDB said:
So this is the magic solution since it's good on all of them?

Yeah, pretty much. All of them for the later models are backwards compatible with the older models, though. None of the older specs should be used in the newer models. Except, of course, the Mopar bottle, which has been reformulated for the new models, but they kept the part number the same.

OntarioVanMan · Mar 9, 2012

The thing about the "List" of fluids....I find it kind of amazing or whatever..I've used the Rad fluid on list...and all these miles I have the original rad and thermostat....and the rad is clean as a whistle that I can see...no scale or build up....
Same for the rear end fluid....original drive shaft, axle seals and differential...so somethings working right...

ebsprintin · Mar 12, 2012

xiggi said:
I had to replace the rear axle on an 07. The splines that mated with the diff gears basically sheared off. I had not overloaded it and when it happened only had about 300lbs on.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using EO Forums

Similar thing happened to me around 200,000 miles in my 2007. A retainer that keeps the floating axle from floating too much sheared. I'm wondering if that contributed to premature wear. Mechanic says I have a few months, so I'm shopping around for options.

eb