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Rear differential

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469 views 6 replies 3 participants last post by  slkamg33  
#1 ·
2004 R170 AMG. I need some advise from you all. The axle boots are not going to last very much longer on my car. It has 65k miles. No axles or boot kits to be found for replacement. I know other rear diffs can be swapped. To make things easier in the future, I want to put in a diffrential with bolt on axles that are still being made. I was told that a W202 rear would swap and if I could find one with a 3.46 ratio, that would suit me. As mine is a 3.07 ratio I think. So, two questions here. What other models are compatible for a rear differential swap? And if it is a housing that is compatible but not the gear ratio that I am looking for, are there gear sets available to buy that could be installed? Thanks for reading and replying.
 
#4 ·
The 2004 R170 will have the latest part number diff of that generation.
Swapping differential will probably be just trading one issue for another, try to stick with the original.

Note - Do not change ratios, as this is programmed into the electronics. (unless you have coding ability or know someone that does). The car will go into limp mode.

Diff discussion from earlier inquiry:
SLK230 differential swaps? | Mercedes SLK World


R
 
#5 ·
I will get the diff part number tomorrow. The problem is no axles or boot repairs are available that I can find. I use The Mercedes Swap Shop for my electronics so changing the gear ratio is not an issue electronically. What are you guys doing when your axle boots break and sling out all of the grease? As far as the gear ratio I want it to be a tad quicker. I dont care about loosing top end speed.
 
#6 ·
Search Ebay and car-part.com (search of salvage yards) for replacement boots.

Also, there were Chrysler Crossfire models that used R170 SLK components, may find the shafts and boots there too.

(Edit)
Experience comment, we have had 5 R170 SLKs (4, SLK230s, 1 SLK32) over a quarter million miles in a 13 year span. 2 cars at 120K miles. Shafts or Boots have never split or needed replaced.
Motor mounts, ball joints, control arms, etc. But no split boots.

R
 
#7 ·
They quit making crossfire shafts and boots years ago. I have 2 manual NA's and 2 automatics. boots are split on one NA at 135k its not driveable until I find a fix, and rock hard on the others. Its dry out here in the desert. Rubber and plastics do not last that long.
 
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