Differential Tool?

[KevinC]

I did a search but couldn't quite find what I was after...my 1968 280SL (dubbed the Project Car) is ready to come home from the body shop but has developed quite a leak where the driveshaft meets the differential. I felt I was ahead of the game when I purchased a pinion seal for $8.95. Now I am finding that I need a  special tool to make this happen. Does anyone by chance have a photo and or part number and possibly source to reference? The photo would work great for one option as my local transmission shop suggested that I come by and look through their tool bin for one that could be utilized.

Kevin   

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Kevin, why don't you shoot Don (Benz DR) a e-mail, I'm sure he can provide you with a photo of the tool if not the part number as well. Give it z try.

"Dan the Benz Dr. SL Barn" <benzbarn@kent.net>

[DaveB]

The information is in the forum somewhere, I had a quick search too but couldn't find it. The tool is a 1/2" drive 4-pin socket. You can make one by grinding down a standard 1" socket to leave 4 pins protruding, but unless you can get the machining perfect it's better to use the real thing. I think they're available at places like Samstag for $60-70. If the pinion nut has been mistreated the slots become rounded and the socket pops out. A 3-jaw type puller placed over the back of the breaker bar prevents this.

[KevinC]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll Search for the actual tool itself. Reaching out to Dan sounds like a good idea. I did search Samstag ...it looks like there may be two versions. one for fixed axle, one for swing-arm. 

[Benz Dr.]

I bought one somewhere but I can't remember now. It could have been Samstags. I think you would want the one for a swing arm type axle.
In a pinch, I've used a punch ground down to fit the slot in the pinion nut. It usually chews stuff up doing this but sometimes you have to do the possible with impossible tools.

[rutger kohler]

Hi, I would really like to see a photo of the tool if someone could oblige. The shipping would be as much as the tool down here (NZ), and I have a machine shop so would like to make my own.

 I have had a leak from my diff for some time, and as the driveshaft coupling,in front of the pinion oil seal, was as clean as a whistle I assumed the oil was coming from elsewhere on the diff.

An expert has suggested the the air motion under the car, when driving, pushes the oil back behind the pinion oil seal area and then when the car is stopped the oil drips down from the lowest part of the diff. I have had a pretty good look at the bellows and it does not appear to be leaking.  Also I have cleaned the oil breather pipe sometime ago and I am confident it is not coming from there either. This is why I am going to change the oil seal. Is the pinion oil seal a special shape? In the Haynes Manual it appears to have a sort of a external bellows ?

[andyburns]

I made this one for about 3 dollars NZ.  Works a treat.

[KevinC]

Thanks again to all. I borrowed this one locally hoping its the right version. If not, guess its to Samstag next!

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, Kevin,

This is the correct tool:

http://www.sirtools.net/SPECIALTOOLS/tabid/124/galleryType/SlideShow/ItemID/88/AlbumID/28/Default.aspx

Naj