Change ring and pinion to reduce ratio

[auret]

Can you change the ratio in a 4.08 rear end by fitting a new ring gear and pinion. If so, how much can you reduce it but still keep the same differential?

[Peter van Es]

That topic is right now being discussed here: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=11292.0

Perhaps I should merge some threads...

Peter

[auret]

Peter, thanks for your reply. I did read the other threads and perhaps I should have added this to them.
What I would like to know is if it possible to change the ring and pinion and reduce from 4.08 to 3.69 without any machining/changes to the differential casing. I know that this would involve setting the backlash etc. I believe that Jim Villers did this successfully on his 190sl.
This may not be a major improvement but would likely still make a difference if you are adventurous and happened to be doing a rear end rebuild.

[JimVillers]

Auret .... I swapped out my 4.08 230SL rear end with a 3.75 230SL rear end.  While the 230SL rear end will not swap into your 280SL because of the brake issue, I would expect that the ring and pinion gears would fit.  This ring and pinion is still available from MB; 113 350 01 39.

The gear change made a significant difference is how my car drives.