
1998-2005 DRIVELINE/AXLES
Front Axle - 163 Chassis 
TESTING & REPAIR 
TESTING AND REPAIR WORK: PASSENGER CARS: FRONT AXLE - AR33.00-Z-9163AA 
MODEL 163  
ATTACH ENGINE SUPPORT BRACKET AND RAISE ENGINE - AR33.10-P-0100-01BV 
Workshop equipment 
 Removing and installing front axleMODELS 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.10-P-
0100GH
 Remove/install rubber bushes of front 
axle transmission mountingMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.10-P-
0120GH
 Remove/install front axle halfMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.10-P-
0200GH
 Remove/install front axle shaft flange 
and double-row angular ball bearingMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.20-P-
0315GH
 Checking follower joint of steering 
knuckle mount (installed)MODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.20-P-
0426GH
 Replace supporting jointMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.20-P-
0440GH
 Removing and installing upper 
wishboneMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.20-P-
0500GH
 Remove/install lower wishboneMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.20-P-
0510GH
 Replace front bearing of lower 
wishboneMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.20-P-
0526GH
 Removing and installing steering 
knuckleMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.25-P-
0400GH
 Remove/install front axle gearMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.30-P-
0525GH
 Replace shaft seal on drive pinionMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.30-P-
0530GH
 Remove/install radial shaft seal at front 
axle gear of front axle shaftMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.30-P-
0545GH
 Remove/install front axle shaftsMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.30-P-
0620GH
 Replace rubber boots on front axle shaftMODEL 
163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175AR33.30-P-
0660GH
WE58.40-Z-1007-11AEngine lifting fixture
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 DRIVELINE/AXLES Front Axle - 163 Chassis  
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 DRIVELINE/AXLES Front Axle - 163 Chassis  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:38:21 PMPage 1 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. 
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:38:25 PMPage 1 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

 Box wrench bitFig. 5
8Detach track rod (10) 
from steering knuckleCheck rubber boot and 
ball joint for wear and 
damage.AR46.40-P-0200-02C 
 *BA46.40-P-1001-01C
 Thrust pieceFig. 16
 PullerFig. 17
9.1Detach link rod of level 
controller (95b) from 
lower transverse control 
arm on right-hand side Vehicles with xenon 
headlamps. 
10Detach upper transverse 
control arm (6) from 
vehicle frame Installation: Tighten 
new nuts slightly until 
they touch. 
Only tighten the bolt 
when the vehicle is on its 
wheels in ready-to-drive 
condition. 
 *BA33.20-P-1006-01D
11Press front axle shaft out 
of front axle shaft flange AR33.30-P-0620-04GH
 Removal and 
installation toolFig. 18
12Support front axle half at 
lower transverse control 
arm with inspection pit or 
assembly lift  
13Detach torsion bar (28) 
from lower transverse 
control arm *BA32.20-P-1002-02G
14Detach lower transverse 
control arm (4) from front 
axle carrieri004 Installation: 
Tighten new nuts slightly 
until they touch. 
Only tighten the bolt 
when the vehicle is on its 
wheels in ready-to-drive 
condition. 
 *BA33.20-P-1004-01D
15Loosen clamped joint at 
rear of lower transverse 
control arm (4) and fold 
down bearing shell (4d) Installation: Tighten 
new nuts slightly until 
they touch. 
Only tighten the bolt 
when the vehicle is on its 
wheels in ready-to-drive 
condition. 
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 DRIVELINE/AXLES Front Axle - 163 Chassis  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:38:22 PMPage 14 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

Fig. 37: Identifying Follower Joint Of Steering Knuckle Mount 
PRESSING OUT AND ATTACHING SUPPORTING JOINT AT STEERING KNUCKLE - AR33.20-P-0440-01GH 
 Wheel location, hub 
Fig. 38: Identifying Prong Wrench (385 589 00 07 00)
 
Remove  
1. Push supporting joint (7) out of steering knuckle using suitable tool. 
 Inspect   
1Raise front of vehicle  
2Check rubber boot (8f) for cracks and damage  
3
Check play in follower joint (8) by firmly 
pulling and pushing on the front wheel while 
feeling the ball joint at the same time.
If inspection indicates that upper 
control (6) arm should be replaced, 
proceed as follows: ?
 
Upper control arm, removal and 
installationAR33.20-P-
0500GH
NumberDesignationModel Series 163
BA33.20-P-1003-01DLocking slotted nut, supporting joint to steering knuckleNM300
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 DRIVELINE/AXLES Front Axle - 163 Chassis  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:38:22 PMPage 25 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

 Wheel location, hub 
5
Remove rpm sensor with 
bracket from steering 
knuckle
 AR42.30-P-
0712GH 
6Detach tie rod (10) from 
steering knuckle
 Check rubber boot and ball joint for wear and 
damage.AR46.40-P-
0200-02C 
 *BA46.40-P-
1001-01C
 Thrust pieceFig. 16
 PullerFig. 58
7
Press out follower joint 
from upper transverse 
control arm (6) using puller
 Check rubber boot and ball joint for wear and 
damage.AR33.20-P-
0500-01GH
 *BA33.20-P-
1001-01D
 Thrust pieceFig. 45
 SupportFig. 46
 PressFig. 47
8Press front axle shaft out of 
front axle shaft flange AR33.30-P-
0620-04GH
 Extraction and insertion toolFig. 18
9Press supporting joint off 
lower wishbone
 Secure steering knuckle to prevent it from falling 
down, in order to rule out damage to the steering 
knuckle 
 Check rubber boot and ball joint for wear and 
damage.
AR33.20-P-
0440-02GH
 *BA33.20-P-
1002-01D
 Thrust pieceFig. 16
10Remove steering knuckle 
(5) forwards  
 Check   
11Check supporting joint
 
 
 Inspect front axle joint for 
play, inspect rubber bootsAP33.20-P-
3353GH
12Install in the reverse order  
13.1Perform chassis alignment 
check After installation of new parts.AR40.20-P-
0200GH 
NumberDesignationModel 163
BA33.20-P-1001-01DSelf-locking nut, upper wishbone follower joint to steering knuckleNm50
BA33.20-P-1002-01DSelf-locking nut, supporting joint to steering knuckleNm85
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 DRIVELINE/AXLES Front Axle - 163 Chassis  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:38:22 PMPage 37 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

Fig. 68: Identifying Front Axle Gear Components 
Modification notes 
8.1.07Filling capacity, Specifications for Operating FluidsModel 163*BF33.30-P-1001-03B
 
 Remove/install  
1 
 Remove front wheels
 
 
Remove/install wheels, rotate if 
necessaryAP40.10-P-
4050GH 
2Drain front axle gear oil
 Installation: ? 
Check front axle gear oil level and 
top up if necessary 
 Oil drain screw: ?AR33.30-P-
0525-02GH
  
 Oil filler plug: ?*BA33.30-P-
1003-03B
 *BA33.30-P-
1002-03B
 *BF33.30-P-
1001-03B
3Unbolt propeller shaft at flange on front 
axle transmission *BA41.20-P-
1001-01A
4Press both follower joints out of upper 
transverse control arms using puller
Check rubber boot and ball joint for 
wear and damage.AR33.20-P-
0500-01GH
 *BA33.20-P-
1001-01D
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 DRIVELINE/AXLES Front Axle - 163 Chassis  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:38:22 PMPage 42 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

 Wheel location, hub 
 Remove/install wheels, 
rotate if necessary AP40.10-P-
4050GH 
2
Detach hexagon collared 
nut (65a) from front axle 
shaft Replace hexagon nut with collar 
 *BA33.30-P-
1001-02B
3Remove front axle brake 
caliper
 Hang the floating / fixed caliper to one side with a 
hook to relieve the strain on the brake hose. 
 Leave brake hose connected.
 
Model 163.136, model 163.113 up to VIN A289564, 
X754619, model 163.154 up to VIN A289564, model 
163.154 /157 only with US version, code 494a.AR42.10-P-
0070GH 
Model 163.128 /172 /174 /175, model 163.113 as of 
VIN A289565, X754620, model 163.154 as of VIN 
A289565, model 163.154 /157 except US version, 
code 494a.
AR42.10-P-
0070GI 
4Detach track rod from 
steering knuckle
 Check rubber boot and ball joint for wear and 
damage.AR46.40-P-
0200-02C 
 *BA46.40-P-
1001-01C
 Thrust pieceFig. 16
 PullerFig. 17
5
Press follower joint out of 
upper transverse control 
arm using puller
Check rubber boot and ball joint for wear and damageAR33.20-P-
0500-01GH
 *BA33.20-P-
1001-01D
 Thrust pieceFig. 45
 SupportFig. 46
 PressFig. 47
6
Press front axle shaft (65) 
out of front axle shaft 
flange Hang steering knuckle to one side using wire.AR33.30-P-
0620-04GH
 Extraction and installation toolFig. 18
7Lever front axle shaft out 
of front axle gear Do not damage shield. 
8Remove front axle shaft 
(65) Installation: Make sure that the opening in the 
circlip (65c) faces downward before inserting into the 
front axle gear.
 
9Install in the reverse order  
NumberDesignationModel 
163
BA33.20-P-1001-
01DSelf-locking nut, upper transverse control arm follower joint to 
steering knuckleNm50
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 DRIVELINE/AXLES Front Axle - 163 Chassis  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:38:22 PMPage 52 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

Fig. 92: Identifying Support (163 589 01 43 00)  
Fig. 93: Identifying Press (163 589 03 43 00)
 
Fig. 94: Identifying Extraction A  nd Installation Tool (210 589 03 43 00)
 
DETACHING AND ATTACHING RUBBER BOOTS AT JOINT - AR33.30-P-0660-01GH 
 Front axle shaft  
Commercially available tools   
NumberDesignationModel 163
BF33.30-P-1001-02CFilling capacityInner joint rubber bootg155
Inner joint inner chamberg110
BF33.30-P-1002-02CFilling capacityOuter joint rubber bootg155
Outer joint inner chamberg65
NumberDesignation
WH58.30-Z-1011-02AClamping pliers
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 DRIVELINE/AXLES Front Axle - 163 Chassis  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:38:22 PMPage 54 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

Removal:    
1.1 Remove hose clamps with tab (37n, 37  r and 37k, 37q) using side cutting pliers.  
Shown on outer joint, hose clamp with tab, 1st version     
Fig. 95: Identifying Ho  se Clamps With Tab 
- 1St Version  
1.2 Open and remove large hose clamps with tens  ioning bead (37n, 37k) using pliers (078). Remove  
small hose clamps with tab (37r,   37q) using side cutting pliers.   
2 Pull off rubber boot.  
Shown on outer joint, large hose clam  p with tensioning bead, 2nd version.   
Fig. 96: Identifying Large Hose   Clamps With Tensioning Bead 
- 2nd Version 
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 DRIVELINE/AXLES Front Axle - 163 Chassis  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:38:22 PMPage 55 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.