Symptoms
Gear oil on the inner front wheels, a gear-oil smell, oil on the caliper or rotor, braking that pulls to one side.
The fix, step by step
- Replace both front axle seals, not just the leaking one, and check the shafts for scoring.
- If oil has reached the brakes, fit new pads and resurface or replace the rotors.
Tools & part numbers
- Axle seals (both sides)
- seal driver
- gear oil
- brake pads and rotors if contaminated
Where to buy the parts
Genuine Mercedes front axle shaft seal 009 997 28 47 — listed for 2002+ W463; confirm fit by VINFCP Euro ↗Amazon ↗
Red Line 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil (1 qt)FCP Euro ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Mercedes-Benz 500 GE V8 parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.