MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2005 Service Service Manual

DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
PROPELLER SHAFT......................1REAR AXLE............................10
PROPELLER SHAFT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
PROPELLER SHAFT
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING................1
STANDARD PROCEDURE.................3
SPECIFICATIONS........................5
SPECIAL TOOLS........................5
PROPELLER SHAFT
REMOVAL.............................6INSTALLATION..........................6
CENTER BEARING
REMOVAL.............................8
INSTALLATION..........................9
PROPELLER SHAFT
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
PROPELLER SHAFT VIBRATION
Out-of-round tires or wheels that are out of bal-
ance, will cause a low frequency vibration.Driveline vibration can be from loose or damaged
engine mounts.
Propeller shaft vibration increases with vehicle
speed. A vibration within a specific speed is not usu-
ally caused by a out of balanced propeller shaft.
Worn universal joints or an incorrect propeller shaft
angle, usually cause such a vibration.
VADIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE 3 - 1

DRIVELINE VIBRATION
Drive Condition Possible Cause Correction
Propeller Shaft Noise 1) Undercoating or other foreign
material on shaft.1) Clean exterior of shaft and wash
with solvent.
2) Loose U-joint clamp screws. 2) Install new clamps and screws
and tighten to proper torque.
3) Loose or bent U-joint yoke or
excessive runout.3) Install new yoke.
4) Incorrect driveline angularity. 4) Measure and correct driveline
angles.
5) Rear spring center bolt not in
seat.5) Loosen spring u-bolts and seat
center bolt.
6) Worn U-joint bearings. 6) Install new U-joint.
7) Propeller shaft damaged or out
of balance.7) Installl new propeller shaft.
8) Broken rear spring. 8) Install new rear spring.
9) Excessive runout or unbalanced
condition.9) Re-index propeller shaft, test,
and evaluate.
10) Excessive drive pinion gear
shaft runout.10) Re-index propeller shaft and
evaluate.
11) Excessive axle yoke deflection. 11) Inspect and replace yoke if
necessary.
12) Excessive transfer case runout. 12) Inspect and repair as necessary.
Universal Joint Noise 1) Loose U-joint clamp screws. 1) Install new clamps and screws
and tighten to proper torque.
2) Lack of lubrication. 2) Replace as U-joints as
necessary.
PROPELLER SHAFT BALANCE
NOTE: Removing and indexing the propeller shaft
180É relative to the yoke may eliminate some vibra-
tions.
If propeller shaft is suspected of being out of bal-
ance, verify with the following procedure:
(1) Place vehicle in netrual.
(2) Raise and support the vehicle by the axles as
level as possible.
(3) Clean all foreign material from propeller shaft
and universal joints.
(4) Inspect propeller shaft for missing balance
weights, broken welds, and bent areas.
NOTE: If propeller shaft is bent, it must be replaced.
(5) Inspect universal joints for wear, properly
installed and correct alignment with the shaft.
(6) Check universal joint clamp screws torque.
(7) Remove wheels and tires. Install wheel lug
nuts to retain the brake drums/rotors.(8) Mark and number propeller shaft six inches
from the pinion yoke end at four positions 90É apart.
(9) Run and accelerate the vehicle until vibration
occurs. Note intensity and speed the vibration
occurred. Stop the engine.
(10) Install a screw clamp at position 1 (Fig. 1).
(11) Start engine and re-check for vibration. If lit-
tle or no change in vibration is evident, move clamp
to the next positions and repeat vibration test.
NOTE: If there is no difference in vibration at the
other positions, the vibration may not be propeller
shaft.
(12) If vibration decreased, install a second clamp
(Fig. 2) and repeat vibration test.
(13) If additional clamp causes additional vibra-
tion, separate clamps 1/2 inch above and below the
mark. Repeat the vibration test (Fig. 3).
(14) Increase distance between clamps and repeat
test until vibration is at the lowest level. Bend the
slack end of the clamps so the screws will not loosen.
3 - 2 PROPELLER SHAFTVA
PROPELLER SHAFT (Continued)

(15) If vibration remains unacceptable, preform
the procedure to the front end of the propeller shaft.
(16) Install the wheel and tires. Lower the vehicle.
PROPELLER SHAFT RUNOUT
(1) Clean the propeller shaft surface where the
dial indicator will contact the shaft.
(2) The dial indicator must be installed perpendic-
ular to the shaft surface.
(3) Measure runout at the center and ends of the
shaft away from weld areas, to ensure weld process
will not effect the measurements.
(4) Refer to Runout Specifications chart.
(5) If propeller shaft is out of specification, remove
propeller shaft and index the shaft 180É. Install the
propeller shaft and measure shaft runout again.
(6) If propeller shaft is now within specifications,
mark shaft and yokes for proper orientation.
(7) If propeller shaft runout is not within specifica-
tions, check runout of the transmission and axle.
Correct as necessary and repeat propeller shaft
runout measurement.
(8) Replace propeller shaft if the runout still
exceeds the limits.
RUNOUT SPECIFICATIONS
Front of Shaft 0.020 in. (0.50 mm)
Center of Shaft 0.025 in. (0.63 mm)
Rear of Shaft 0.020 in. (0.50 mm)
note:
Measure front/rear runout approximately 76 mm (3 in.)
from the weld seam at each end of the shaft tube for
tube lengths over 30 inches. For tube lengths under
30 inches, the maximum allowed runout is 0.50 mm
(0.020 in.) for the full length of the tube.
STANDARD PROCEDURE
PROPELLER SHAFT ANGLE
This procedure applies the front and rear propeller
shafts.
(1) Place vehicle in netural.
(2) Raise and support vehicle at the axles as level
as possible.
(3) Remove universal joint snap rings if equipped,
so Inclinometer 7663 base sits flat.
(4) Rotate shaft until transmission case output
yoke bearing is facing downward.
NOTE: Always make measurements from front to
rear and from the same side of the vehicle.
(5) Place Inclinometer 7663 on yoke bearing (A)
parallel to the shaft. Center bubble in sight glass and
record measurement.
Fig. 1 Clamp Screw At Position 1
1 - CLAMP
2 - SCREWDRIVER
Fig. 2 Two Clamp Screws At The Same Position
Fig. 3 Clamp Screws Separated
1-1¤2INCH
VAPROPELLER SHAFT 3 - 3
PROPELLER SHAFT (Continued)

This measurement will give you the transmis-
sion yoke Output Angle (A).
(6) Rotate propeller shaft 90 degrees and place
inclinometer on yoke bearing parallel to the shaft.
Center bubble in sight glass and record measure-
ment. This measurement can also be taken at the
rear end of the shaft.
This measurement will give you the Propeller
Shaft Angle (C).
(7) Rotate propeller shaft 90 degrees and place
inclinometer on companion flange yoke bearing par-
allel to the shaft. Center bubble in sight glass and
record measurement.
This measurement will give you the Pinion
Flange Input Angle (B).
(8) Subtract smaller figure from larger (C minus
A) to obtain TransmissionOutput Operating
Angle.(9) Subtract smaller figure from larger (C minus
B) to obtain axleInput Operating Angle.
Refer to rules and example in (Fig. 4) for addi-
tional information.
RULES
²Good cancellation of U-joint operating angles
should be within 1degree.
²Operating angles should be less than 3 degrees.
²At least 1/2 of one degree continuous operating
(propeller shaft) angle.
TWO/THREE-PIECE PROPELLER SHAFT
The procedure to measure the propeller shaft
angles involved with a two/three-piece (Fig. 5) propel-
ler shaft is the same as those for a one-piece propel-
ler shaft.
Fig. 4 UNIVERSAL JOINT ANGLE EXAMPLE
1 - 4.9É Angle (C)
2 - 3.2É Angle (B)
3 - Input Yoke4 - 3.0É Angle (A)
5 - Output Yoke
3 - 4 PROPELLER SHAFTVA
PROPELLER SHAFT (Continued)

SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Propeller shaft to
transmission bolt70 52 -
Propeller shaft to axle bolt 70 52 -
Retaining bracket to frame
floor bolt100 74 -
Center Bearing support to
frame floor bolt95 70 -
Center Bearing to support
nut105 77 -
SPECIAL TOOLS
SPECIAL TOOL CROSS-REFERENCE CHART
MB TOOL #MILLER TOOL
#DESCRIPTION
N/A 938 BRIGE
N/A 1130 SPLITTER
387 589 05 15
009275 INSTALLER
N/A 7663INCLINOMETER
Fig. 5 UNIVERSAL JOINT ANGLE
1 - YOKES MUST BE IN SAME PLANE
BRIDGE 938
VAPROPELLER SHAFT 3 - 5
PROPELLER SHAFT (Continued)

PROPELLER SHAFT
REMOVAL
(1) Secure vehicle to prevent it from rolling.
(2) Make installing reference marks on propeller
shaft (Fig. 6) and (Fig. 7).
(3) Remove retaining bracket bolts (Fig. 8) and
(Fig. 9).
(4) Remove propeller shaft bolts from rear axle
and transmission at the flange.
(5) Remove propeller shaft intermediate bearing
nuts from retaining bracket and bracket for brake
cable.
NOTE: The brake cable bracket is only installed in
vehicles with wheelbase 3550 mm
(6) Remove shaft from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install propeller shaft intermediate bearing/
bearings to support and tighten nuts to 105 N´m (77
ft. lbs.).(2) Install propeller shaft intermediate bearing
support/supports to frame floor and tighten bolts to
95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install propeller shaft intermediate bearing
with retaining bracket and bracket for brake cable.
NOTE: The bracket is only installed on vehicles
with wheelbase 3550 mm.
(4) Install propeller shaft to rear axle and trans-
mission flange with installation marks are aligned.
Tighten bolts to 70 N´m (66 ft. lbs.).
(5) Install retaining bracket and tighten bolts to
100 N´m (74 ft. lbs.).
SPLITTER 1130
INSTALLER 9275
INCLINOMETER 7663
Fig. 6 ALIGNMENT MARKS
1 - ALIGNMENT MARK
2 - BOOT
3 - ALIGNMENT MARK
4 - CENTER BEARING
Fig. 7 ALIGNMENT MARKS 3 PIECE SHAFT
1 - REFERNCE MARK
2 - CENTER SHAFT
3 - REFERENCE MARK
4 - REAR SHAFT
3 - 6 PROPELLER SHAFTVA
PROPELLER SHAFT (Continued)

Fig. 8 2 PIECE PROPELLER SHAFT
1 - FLANGE BOLT 6 - NUT
2 - BEARING 7 - BRACKET
3 - PROPELLER SHAFT 8 - RETAINING BRACKET
4 - REAR AXLE 9 - COLLARED BOLT
5 - CABLE BRACKET 10 - TRANSMISSION
Fig. 9 3 PIECE PROPELLER SHAFT
1 - FLANGE BOLT 7 - BRACKET
2 - INTERMEDIATE BEARING 8 - RETAINING BRACKET
3 - CENTER SHAFT 9 - BOLT
4 - REAR SHAFT 10 - FRONT SHAFT
5 - REAR AXLE 11 - TRANSMISSION
6 - NUT
VAPROPELLER SHAFT 3 - 7
PROPELLER SHAFT (Continued)

CENTER BEARING
REMOVAL
(1) Remove propeller shaft.
(2) Mark shafts for installation alignment (Fig.
10).
(3) Loosen both collar clamps (Fig. 11).
(4) Pull apart propeller shaft.
(5) Remove snap-ring (Fig. 12).
(6) Pull off center bearing with a Bearing Splitter
1130 and Bridge 938, with a plug on the end of the
shaft (Fig. 13).NOTE: The bearing splitter must be positioned
behind the thrust washer of the bearing.
Fig. 10 ALIGNMENT MARKS
1 - ALIGNMENT MARK
2 - BOOT
3 - ALIGNMENT MARK
4 - CENTER BEARING
Fig. 11 BOOT
1 - BOOT
2 - CLAMP
3 - SHAFT
Fig. 12 CENTER BEARING
1 - SNAP-RING
2 - CENTER BEARING
3 - WASHER
4 - SHAFT
5 - PROTECTIVE CAP
Fig. 13 CENTER BEARING REMOVAL
1 - BRIDGE
2 - PLUG
3 - BEARING SPLITTER
4 - CENTER BEARING
3 - 8 PROPELLER SHAFTVA

INSTALLATION
(1) Press center bearing on propeller shaft with
protective caps and washer with Installer 9275 (Fig.
14).(2) Install snap-ring.
(3) Coat propeller shaft spline with universal
grease.
(4) Push rubber boot onto propeller shaft.
(5) Push together propeller shaft. Pay attention to
alignment markings for installation position.
(6) Ensure rubber seal is correctly installed and
attachnewcollar clamps.
(7) Install propeller shaft.
Fig. 14 CENTER BEARING INSTALLATION
1 - INSTALLER
2 - CENTER BEARING
VAPROPELLER SHAFT 3 - 9
CENTER BEARING (Continued)

REAR AXLE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
REAR AXLE
DESCRIPTION.........................10
OPERATION...........................10
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING................10
STANDARD PROCEDURE - DRAIN AND FILL . . 11
REMOVAL.............................11
INSTALLATION.........................12
SPECIFICATIONS.......................13
SPECIAL TOOLS.......................14
AXLE SHAFTS
REMOVAL.............................15
INSTALLATION.........................15AXLE BEARINGS/SEALS
REMOVAL.............................17
INSTALLATION.........................17
AXLE SHAFTS - DUAL REAR WHEELS
REMOVAL.............................19
INSTALLATION.........................19
AXLE HUB BEARINGS/SEALS
REMOVAL.............................20
INSTALLATION.........................20
PINION SEAL
REMOVAL.............................22
INSTALLATION.........................22
REAR AXLE
DESCRIPTION
The axle housings consist of a cast iron center sec-
tion with axle tubes extending from either side. The
tubes are pressed into and welded to the differential
housing to form a one-piece axle housing. The SRW
axle has semi-floating axle shafts, DRW has full-
floating axle shafts.
NOTE: Axle seals, axle bearings, pinion seal and
differential cover are the only serviceble compo-
nents. If differential is damaged/noisy the axle must
be replaced.
OPERATION
The axle receives power from the transmission
through the rear propeller shaft. The rear propeller
shaft is connected to the pinion gear which rotates
the differential through the gear mesh with the ring
gear bolted to the differential case. The engine power
is transmitted to the axle shafts through the pinion
mate and side gears. The side gears are splined to
the axle shafts.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
NOTE: Axle seals, axle bearings, pinion seals and
differential cover are the only serviceble compo-
nents. If differential is damaged/noisy the axle must
be replaced.
GEAR NOISE
Axle gear noise can be caused by insufficient lubri-
cant, incorrect backlash, incorrect pinion depth, tooth
contact, worn/damaged gears, or the carrier housing
not having the proper offset and squareness.
Gear noise usually happens at a specific speed
range. The noise can also occur during a specific type
of driving condition. These conditions are accelera-
tion, deceleration, coast, or constant load.
When road testing, first warm-up the axle fluid by
driving the vehicle at least 5 miles and then acceler-
ate the vehicle to the speed range where the noise is
the greatest. Shift out-of-gear and coast through the
peak-noise range. If the noise stops or changes
greatly:
²Check for insufficient lubricant.
²Incorrect ring gear backlash.
²Gear damage.
Differential side gears and pinions can be checked
by turning the vehicle. They usually do not cause
noise during straight-ahead driving when the gears
are unloaded. The side gears are loaded during vehi-
cle turns. A worn pinion shaft can also cause a snap-
ping or a knocking noise.
BEARING NOISE
The axle shaft, differential and pinion bearings can
all produce noise when worn or damaged. Bearing
noise can be either a whining, or a growling sound.
Pinion bearingshave a constant-pitch noise. This
noise changes only with vehicle speed. Pinion bearing
noise will be higher pitched because it rotates at a
faster rate. Drive the vehicle and load the differen-
tial. If bearing noise occurs, the rear pinion bearing
is the source of the noise. If the bearing noise is
3 - 10 REAR AXLEVA