W124 94-E420 with ASR

[Green_E420]

I wanted to change the differential on my w124 94 E-420 with ASR to a 2.82 with ASR.

I only find threads of non-asr differential swaps and even googled it.

I found a PDF with what is needed to put in.

Here is my problem. I had a hard time looking for a diff in NJ and finally something came in at a junk yard in Tennessee.

I called the guy and they re-assured me the w140 was an early 95 with ASR. I paid for it and had it shipped. I verified it was not 96+. They said it would take a couple weeks to get the differential shipped.

I got the differential yesterday and find no sensors. I am extremely stumped. Everyone is telling me I need both sensors.

Am I screwed? What can be done? Any help will be very appreciated.

 

[gsxr]

There was a change in the 140 chassis somewhere during mid-1995 USA model year, I believe. If so, early 1995 diffs may have the sensors, and late 1995 will not. You received a "late" 1995 140 diff. On the late 1995 (and 96-up) cars, the speed sensors were relocated to the wheel carriers, at the outer CV joint. Your 1994 E420 has the sensors in the differential.

Did the salvage yard provide the VIN of the 1995 donor vehicle? I believe the break point is supposed to be A212244 / A212245 (however, earlier VIN's with code 867 may be the late style). The salesdude either has a different opinion of what defines early vs late, OR that particular car had code 867.


Option 1: Sell the W140 diff you have now and replace it with a 1992-1994 diff with sensors in the differential. The best way to verify this is to have the salvage yard confirm the diff has 2 sensors on top. Better yet, have them send a photo so you can see for yourself before they ship it. You still need to swap the rear cover, sensors, and probably other stuff to make this fit in your E420.

Option 2: If your E420 has the mounting boss for the wheel speed sensors at the wheel carrier, you could try to convert to the new style speed sensor location. I've never attempted this and I'm not sure what is involved, or if it's even possible. If you don't have the late wheel carriers with the mounting boss, you're either out of luck, or have to replace both wheel carriers (not practical unless you needed to do something like rear wheel bearings, where you'd have it half apart anyway).



There are several 1993-94 ASR diffs showing around NY/NJ for $150-$250, you might want to check into one of those instead.

 

[Green_E420]

GSXR like always thank you for the quick response

With this news, I am upset about this.

Option 1: I will call the junk yard and explain to see if something can be done.

Option 2: Originally do the w124 with ASR have ABS sensors? Or do they work off the Wheel Speed Sensors?

 

[gsxr]

124 models with ASR have 2 separate rear wheel speed sensors, one for each wheel. The sensors are used for both the ASR and ABS systems.

124 models without ASR have a single rear wheel speed sensor located at the pinion (input shaft), this is used to determine estimated rear wheel speed, since it cannot tell if 1 wheel is spinning faster than the other.

Don't forget you also need a speedometer conversion box from YellowBox, Dakota Digital, or similar.

 

[Green_E420]

Was able to pick up the diff from the link you sent me for $150 picked up.

Installed my 2.82 diff. What a difference. Not sure why 2.24 was installed on the US Specs and the EuroSpec got 2.65. Gas was cheap in the 90s in the States.

Feels great on first gear. Originally feel i had to really step on it on the 2.24.

80mph 2700rpm with 2.24
80mph 3200rpm with 2.82.

I have to adjust the speedometer. Are the V8 getting a signal electronic on the speedo?

Thanks Again!!!

 

[gsxr]

Installed my 2.82 diff. What a difference. Not sure why 2.24 was installed on the US Specs and the EuroSpec got 2.65. Gas was cheap in the 90s in the States.

I believe the granny gears allowed MBUSA to avoid a gas-guzzler tax on the Monroney? USA and Japan both had the 2.24 gears, ROW had 2.65's.

I have to adjust the speedometer. Are the V8 getting a signal electronic on the speedo?

Yes, it's electronic. I highly recommend the YellowBox for a compact converter that fits behind the cluster. These cars have a 2-wire inductive speed sensor, so follow the directions for that (it's NOT a Hall sensor).

Official home page of the Yellow Box Speedo Recalibrator

YellR manufactures the Yellow Box; World's best Speedometer Recalibrator for motorcycles, cars and trucks

yellr.com

+12v and ground are available behind the cluster, you can connect with Posi-Taps to avoid cutting... but you'll have to cut/splice the speed signal wire (unmodified speed input to Yellr, modified speed output to cluster).

https://www.amazon.com/Posi-Tap-20-22-Mini-Choose-Amount/dp/B0B382XZPD/

 

[yao500e]

Was able to pick up the diff from the link you sent me for $150 picked up.

Installed my 2.82 diff. What a difference. Not sure why 2.24 was installed on the US Specs and the EuroSpec got 2.65. Gas was cheap in the 90s in the States.

Feels great on first gear. Originally feel i had to really step on it on the 2.24.

80mph 2700rpm with 2.24
80mph 3200rpm with 2.82.

I have to adjust the speedometer. Are the V8 getting a signal electronic on the speedo?

Thanks Again!!!

awesome! your e420 with 2.82 rear is same as my c36 722.3. and since your E420 is first gear start from factory, it must be a joy to drive around now.

I hardly go past 75 to 80 mph on the highway so 3200 rpm at 80 mph is ok to deal with. not as good as 5 speed 722.6 for long term highway cruising but its decent enough.

 

[Green_E420]

I love it so much... I think even a 2.65 would be justice.

I don't daily drive it since it only has 67k miles. It's a blast to drive. I really wish there was a 5th gear.

 

[yao500e]

I love it so much... I think even a 2.65 would be justice.

I don't daily drive it since it only has 67k miles. It's a blast to drive. I really wish there was a 5th gear.

View attachment 198485

damn. you got a collection grade e420. keep the annual miles to 3000 please

 

[Green_E420]

thank you!

ill try!

 

[jefsen]

Denmark
Cruising, not racing!
I'm driving a European E400 '92.
I'd love to have a 2,24 differential.
It feels like overkill with 2000 rpms at 80 Km per hour.