Hello...first time on the board.

We need to replace our ML 430's oil pan gasket. It has ~120K miles, and to my surprise is leaking pretty badly.

Has anyone out there done this? Just wondering if the half-shaft(s) HAVE to come off, or if you can get to all of the fasteners without gutting the front end. Also...what sockets fit the @#$% star-headed fasteners on the pan?

Anything else to take notice of before tearing into it?

Thanks in advance...

 

hopefully your talking about the lower oil pan and not the upper, if its the upper then you have a project on your hands. you said you see it leaking and it may look like that but its usually the oil level sensor 0-ring. on the passenger side of the pan youll see a sensor sitting on top, thats the oil level sensor. is there a lot of oil around there? drain the oil, and drop the pan. there is not gasket, benz uses black sealant for the pans. take out the oil level sensor and install a new 0-ring. the sensor is held in by 4 torx bolts. make sure to clean the surfaces really good. apply black sealant and reinstall pan.. let me know if you have any Q's
Frank