Mercedes M-Class Diff Locks
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When the orange planetary (8) is locked, the yellow output shaft (3) runs at the same speed as the green upper drive sprocket (9). Simply welding them together works, but that's a bit too permanent for some folks ;-) A better solution is to mill claws into (3) and (9) and to shift them into locked and open positions. more pics
One can also connect (3) and (9) with a clutch, activated with a
shift fork, as shown in the inset. This allows locking even when
driving.
For rear and front lockers, one can exchange the open differentials with a used W124 4-matic center piece, which can be found for as little as $50 with some luck. And require some rework and modification. They use clutch packs to activate the locks. The old 4matic has a soso record for reliability, and an overhaul is not unusual, for any driveline with mechanical locks.
Team ORC made these lockers:
An ML transfer case with locker is shown on the left. The locker valve
was installed between the normal low range actuation motor, a windshield
wiper motor, and the rear drive flange. The center piece on the right
is similar to a W124 4-matic's.
suppliers
Potomac German Auto (US)
Team ORC (D)
MB Gebrauchtteilecenter (D)
part numbers
163 280 05 00 M-Class transfer case
163 280 06 00 M-Class transfer case
163 xxx xx xx M-Class rear axle center piece
124 350 22 03 W124 4-matic rear axle center piece, 3.27:1
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And suddenly the star of 4x4s was three-pointed. |