400E Rebuildable 2.24 non-ASR Diff / Rear End and Steering Box

[DJV]

Looking to purchase a stock 2.24:1 (Non ASR) differential assembly and steering box for 1992 400E. Must be rebuildable. Thank you.

 

[gsxr]

@DJV, the differentials very very rarely need a rebuild. Generally you just look for a good used one with relatively low miles, replace the side seals, use RightStuff or Loctite 5900 on the rear cover, and call it good. Don't touch the input/pinion seal if it's dry. Should be plenty of 2.24 non-ASR donors available. For a performance upgrade, get a 2.65 non-ASR diff from a 1990-92 500SL.

For the steering box, if the input shaft seal is dry, just reseal the output shaft (very common leak). There's details on how to do this in the car, if you search the forum. The input shaft seal is a very rare failure, but requires complete gearbox disassembly to repair - I wouldn't recommend it. Instead you can get the box rebuilt by C&M. Click here for more info on the steering box R&R and a link to the output shaft seal job.

BTW, welcome to the forum!

 

[JC220]

The diff input shaft seal is easy enough to replace IMO I do it any time the diff is out.

Scribe the exact nut position. Use impact to remove the nut.

Pull pinion, slide hammer out the old seal. Use a little smear of loctite seal dressing and install new seal. Refit hub and use the impact to put the nut back on the align the marks exactly where they were before. Re stake the nut. (There are 2 sides to stake, usually one is still virgin for re use)

 

[kegmankipp]

Looking to purchase a stock 2.24:1 (Non ASR) differential assembly and steering box for 1992 400E. Must be rebuildable. Thank you.

Hi
I have a one from my personal car I’ll sell. It works fine, no noise and no leaks. Only reason I’ll pulled it was to change to a 2.65

Located in Nor Cal

 

[DJV]

Hi
I have a one from my personal car I’ll sell. It works fine, no noise and no leaks. Only reason I’ll pulled it was to change to a 2.65

Located in Nor Cal

Thanks for the response. I'm interested. What is the preferred way to contact and organize purchase & shipment consistent with Forum rules. I'm new to this. Regards, Dave

 

[kegmankipp]

Thanks for the response. I'm interested. What is the preferred way to contact and organize purchase & shipment consistent with Forum rules. I'm new to this. Regards, Dave

Direct Message sent

 

[northNH]

Is steering box removal from a 400/500 the PITA it appears to be?
Certainly seems so compared to the Sportline box swap I did years ago to my coupe…

I have a ~90K mile 400E parts car with steering box still in situ; doubt the need for any “rebuilding”.
But I am temperamentally incapable of dealing with much additional frustration these days…

 

[gsxr]

Is steering box removal from a 400/500 the PITA it appears to be?
Certainly seems so compared to the Sportline box swap I did years ago to my coupe…

Yep, it isn't fun. More details are in the thread below:

FYI - HOW-TO: Replacing steering gearbox on 124.034/.036 chassis | "HOW-TO" Tutorial Articles

This is not a step-by-step procedure or pictorial (sorry). It's some observations and tips to complement the FSM (Factory Service Manual) procedure, job 46-3400, see attached PDF file. This journey is not as fun as the travel brochure claims. Plan on 4-6 hours if everything goes smoothly, if you...

www.500eboard.co

I have a ~90K mile 400E parts car with steering box still in situ; doubt the need for any “rebuilding”.
But I am temperamentally incapable of dealing with much additional frustration these days…

They often need the output shaft seal replaced, as noted in the thread linked above. The input shaft very rarely leaks, and it's almost unheard of for the box to require a full rebuild due to wear or excess play.