Problems in the Differential of a Mercedes

The differential is the component in your Mercedes that allows your wheels to turn at different speeds. When you turn, the outside wheel has to rotate faster than the inside wheel because it covers more ground. If they rotated at the same speed, your Mercedes would feel clunky and stiff during turns, and your tires and axle would undergo extra stress and wear and tear. If the differential didn’t exist, you would need an engine for each wheel to get the same effect.

Problems in the differential of your Mercedes can quickly become dangerous. It’s important that you know the signs of differential failure and that you have your car examined if you suspect there might be something wrong with your differential.

What are the signs to look for?

Your Mercedes makes unusual noises while accelerating, decelerating, or turning

If your differential needs to be replaced, it will often make strange noises whenever you turn, accelerate, or decelerate. It’s important to have a mechanic examine your car if it is making any strange noises. If your differential experiences complete failure, it can potentially cause an accident or damage other components.

Your Mercedes suddenly handles differently while turning

Any sudden change in how your car feels or handles while driving is cause for a trip to the mechanic. It’s impossible to know if your car needs repairs without a thorough examination by a professional, and it’s always best to catch potential problems early before they can cause more damage.

You can feel vibrations when you accelerate

Vibrations while accelerating are some of the first signs you might see when your differential is going bad. This is caused by damage to the universal joints of your differential.

What can cause differential problems?

The gears inside the differential can cause the most problems. After years of driving, your gears may become broken or misaligned. If this happens, they’ll cause your Mercedes to make unusual noises, and the differential will have a harder time controlling the speed of your wheels. If they are not repaired, they can break even further, causing your car to be unable to move at all.

Another potential problem that can arise is with the bearings inside the differential. If these bearings become too worn, they will cause whirring and rumbling noises. They need to be replaced as soon as possible. It’s not unusual for worn bearings to lock up. This can cause your Mercedes to come to a very abrupt stop. Stopping like this puts stress on the gears inside the transmission and differential which may cause further damage.

Most Mercedes vehicles are rear wheel drive. This means that the differential is located outside of the transmission, and it will need its own oil. Oil keeps the gears from overheating and breaking. The oil will also need to be changed occasionally. The friction from the gears rubbing together causes small metal particles to be dispersed throughout the oil. If your differential fluid isn’t changed often enough, those metal particles can wear down the gears and cause damage.

How can I prevent problems with the differential?

To prevent your differential from developing more serious problems, you should make sure you have it serviced regularly. The differential oil needs to be changed every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. While this is being done, you should have the gears inspected for any damage. It’s important to catch problems early.

If you think the differential in your Mercedes needs to be repaired, it’s best to take it to a mechanic. If a damaged differential is left alone for too long, it could cause even more damage to the wheels, transmission, and drive shaft of your car. That’s why it’s important to have it examined as soon as possible.

We Will help!

At Bavarian Performance Specialists, you can be sure that you’re receiving the absolute best service in the area. Our location is convenient to Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Westlake, Malibu, and Newbury Park, CA. Our technicians are trained and specialize in the repair and maintenance of European cars. If you allow us to service your Mercedes, you can trust you’ve left it in good hands. With our state-of-the-art facility, we will have your problems diagnosed and repaired in no time. Call us today to schedule an appointment.