Symptoms
The dash control moves but the lock indicator never lights, locks engage then drop out, or fluid is low or weeping at an axle.
The fix, step by step
- Check the reservoir and look for fluid at the slave cylinders on each axle and at the flex lines.
- On a W460 the rear locker line and front brake hose are a matched pair of flex lines, so replace aged ones together.
- Bleed the system, then test on loose ground.
- If it still won't hold, rebuild the dash master cylinder and the slave cylinders, and check the indicator switch and its rubber boot on the axle.
Tools & part numbers
- Locker master cylinder rebuild kit 000 353 24 55 (all W460)
- late-style slave cylinder kit 460 350 07 84 (later W460s, by axle number)
- front brake / rear locker flex line 460 420 50 48
- indicator switch 000 545 50 11
- brake bleeding kit
Where to buy the parts
Diff-lock master cylinder rebuild kit 000 353 24 55Expedition Imports ↗Amazon ↗
Diff-lock slave cylinder rebuild kit (late style)Expedition Imports ↗Amazon ↗
Front brake / rear locker hose 460 420 50 48Expedition Imports ↗Amazon ↗
Diff-lock indicator switch 000 545 50 11Expedition Imports ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Mercedes-Benz G-Class W460 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.