4ETS for Passenger Cars

&
4ETS for W163
Starting MY1998

1
327 HO 06 4ETS (WJB,RP,GC) 02-27-04

Objectives
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
Identify which 2004 models have the 4ETS option
List the advantages of 4ETS
List 4ETS mechanical components and describe their function
Explain basic operation of 4ETS
Describe transfer case maintenance procedures
Describe the unique features of the W163 transfer case
Explain the operation and function of the W163 system

These technical training materials are current as of the date noted on the materials, and may be revised or updated without notice. Always check for revised or updated information.
To help avoid personal injury to you or others, and to avoid damage to the vehicle on which you are working, you must always ref er to the latest Mercedes -Benz Technical Publication and follow all
pertinent instructions when testing, diagnosing or making repair.
Illustrations and descriptions in this training reference are based on preliminary information and may not correspond to the final US version vehicles. Refer to the official introduction manual and WIS
when available.
Copyright Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, 2004
WIS document numbers shown apply to WIS Version USA/CDN at date of writing.
Reproduction by any means or by any information storage and retrieval system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written authorization from Mercedes -Benz USA, LLC or it's
successors.
Published by Mercedes -Benz USA, LLC
Printed in U. S.A.

Contents
MY2004 4ETS vehicles
Purpose and advantages of 4ETS
Driving with 4ETS
Additional 4ETS components
4ETS Brake torque control range
4ETS block diagram
MY2004 ETS Maintenance and service
Model W163
Off-roading with the W163
W163 Transfer case and controls
Transfer case control unit
W163 block diagram
W163 service notes

4
6
9
10
19
21
22
25
27
29
32
33
34
3

MY2004 4ETS Vehicles

All ML-class vehicles

All G-class vehicles
C-class sedans & wagons with V6 engine-NEW for 2004
E-class sedans and wagons with V6 and V8 engines-NEW for 2004
S-class sedans with V8 engine-NEW for 2004

44

AWD, 4WD, 4ETS and 4ETS+

AWD and 4WD are used interchangeably by some manufacturers

Permanent and full-time are sometimes interchanged, too
Heres the way MB retail training literature puts it:
C-, E-, S-class
System availability: Optional
Type of drive system: 4MATIC AWD with 4ETS
Torque Split Front/Rear: Permanent 40/60 via center differential
4ETS
M-class, G-class
System availability: Standard
Type of drive system: "Permanent full-time 4WD
Torque Split Front/Rear: G-class: 50/50 via center differential
Torque Split Front/Rear: M-class: 48/52 via center differential
G-class: 3 locking differentials. 4ETS with unlocked differentials
M-class: Low range 2-foot mode; downhill traction function. 4ETS+

What is 4ETS?
It is a system that:
is always in 4-wheel drive, without driver having to switch the
system on
works with ABS and ASR in the Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) to provide optimal handling stability and traction
distributes drive torque to the front and rear axle through a
transfer case, which acts like a center differential.
uses brake pressure to control wheel spin, transferring torque
to the wheel with traction
warns driver of wheel slip by flashing warning lamp in
instrument cluster

Torque Application at the Wheels Having

Traction

Wheels without traction are braked to transfer

torque to the wheels with traction

In Comparison to 1990-1993 4MATIC:

Ride height lower

Simpler front suspension
No additional hydraulics
Less intrusive to interior space (floorpan)
More cost-effective
Reduced weight
Better fuel mileage
Improved turning radius
Tire life extended

Driving With 4ETS

Nothing to switch on
Driver is informed via a flashing warning lamp in instrument
cluster that one or several wheels are starting to spin. (The
owners manual says to ease off on the accelerator when this
happens)
Throttle reduction control (ESP) can be switched off using ESPOFF button, but 4ETS continues to operate. Warning lamp
stays illuminated in this mode.

Additional 4ETS Components

Transfer case
Propeller shaft, front
Front differential mounted to engine oil pan on right side
Engine oil pan Front axle shafts different length axles, but both ends identical

10

Passenger Car

Transfer Case

MY2004 components shown

8 Hexagon nut with collar
9 Hexagon nut with collar
10 Output flange to front axle
12 Output flange to rear axle
13 Output shaft to rear axle
15 Transfer case rear cover
16a Transfer case housing front
16b Transfer case housing rear

17 Output shaft to front axle

18 Intermediate gear
19 Hollow gear
20 Input shaft
20a Securing washer
20b Washer
20c Securing washer
25 Planetary gear set

11

Passenger Car

Transfer Case Lubrication

Gears serve as an oil
pump-oil ducts and
splasher pipe supply lube oil
to bearings and planetary
gear system
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
(2004=001 989 2303)
Lifetime fill
For 2004: Check oil level
at room temperature and
not at transfer case
operating temperature.
12

Passenger Car

Transfer Case Torque Distribution:

MY1998-2002

3 = Double planetary gear set: acts as center differential

13

Passenger Car

Transfer Case Torque Distribution:

Starting MY2004

60 % of the drive torque is

transmitted to the rear
axle and 40 % to the front
axle.

1. Output shaft rear axle.

2. Double planetary gear
set

3.
4.
5.

Spur gears
Output shaft front
axle
Input shaft

14

Passenger Car

Friction Disc in 2004 Planetary Gear Set

To help quickly transfer torque to the front wheels when the rear starts to spin.
It is critical that 4ETS receives accurate wheel speed signals in order to properly
control torque distribution. All 4 wheels / tires must have the exact same
diameter and proper inflation pressures or the clutches will be damaged.
A worn disc would be noticed when driving in very slick conditions and
comparing response with that of a known good vehicle.
15

Passenger Car

Transfer Case & Propeller Shafts

MY2004
components
shown

1.
2.
3.
4.

Propeller shaft to rear axle

Double planetary gear set
Spur gears
Propeller shaft to front axle

The transfer case is

directly flange-mounted to
the automatic
transmission.

16

Passenger Car

Front Wheel Drive Components

MY2004 components
shown

1. Transfer case
2. Propeller shaft to front axle gearbox
3. Front axle gearbox
4. Right front axle shaft
5. Left front axle shaft

The driveshaft has been carried over from model 210

4MATIC and has been modified in length

17

Passenger Car

Front Axle Open Differential Cutaway

MY2004
components
shown

Front axle gear box on model 220 with engine 113

1. Front axle gearbox mounted to oil pan
2. Pinion gear
3. Ring gear
4. Engine Oil Pan with cast-in through pipe

18

Passenger Car

4ETS Brake Torque Control Range

A. Control of rear axle

Engages upon slippage in range of 0 to 50mph
Once engaged, control may remain active up to 80mph
B. Control of front axle
Engages upon slippage in range of 0 to 25mph
Once engaged, control may remain active up to 50mph

19

Passenger Car

4ETS Control Logic

Traction control according to wheel speed

Low speeds: Individual brake application at any of the 4

wheels for maximum traction

Medium speeds: Limited brake pressure increase at the

2nd rear wheel if one rear wheel spins. Simultaneous
pressure increase if both rear wheels spin. Stability and
road adhesion take precedence.

High speeds: Simultaneous braking pressure to both rear

wheels if one spins. At the same time the system refrains
from any braking intervention at the front axle to achieve the
best possible handling stability.

20

Passenger Car

4-ETS Block Diagram

Return pump Relay
K40/

Power
Circuit 31

Hydraulic control
unit A7/

Terminal 61
Stop lamp switch

ETS warning lamp

N47/

Parking Brake
FRT VSS
REAR VSS

ETS MIL
ABS MIL
Data Link (X11/4) 21

Passenger Car

Maintenance MY2004 Transfer Case

Check oil level port 7b
Filling with oil port 7a
The rear transverse mount (45)
and the drive shaft must be
removed.
Draining oil port 7c
The rear mount (45) and the
right case mount (45a) must be
removed.

7a
7b
7c
16
45
45a

Fill port
Control port
Drain port
Transfer case
Rear case mount
Right case mount

22

Passenger Car

Maintenance MY2004 Front Differential

Check oil level port 7
Oil level should be at lower level
of fill port.
Check oil level at room
temperature - not at differential
operating temperature.
Right wheel well
7

Fill port

23

Passenger Car

Removing MY04 Front Axle Shaft:

Wrap chain tool around

constant velocity joint
and tighten. Tap against
chain to remove axle.

1 extension or punch
2 front axle shaft

24

Reference: WIS job AR33.30-P-0620P

W163

Model W163
Starting MY1998
4ETS plus Hi/Low range

25

W163

W163

vs.

Passenger Cars

52%

60%

48%
40%

High/Low range motor

Shift fork

Single speed range

------------

Chain drive
Lubrication pump

Gear drive
Splash lube

26

W163

Off-Roading with the W163

Possible to switch to Low range before driving off road, crossing
water, or towing on steep grades.
Low range of transfer case provides a 2.64:1 ratio (High range =
1:1 ratio)
Off-road software in ABS improves braking when in Low Range
under 18.5mph. Front wheel brakes only allowed to partially
lock. (Helps by packing dirt in front of tires. Steering may be
affected)
Switching into either Low or High transfer case range can be
done only if all of the conditions on next slide are met
27

W163

High/Low Range Selection

Conditions:
Vehicle stopped
Selector in N
Idle (400-1500rpm)

High to Low Lamp

2 flashes, then stays ON.
Low to High - 2 flashes, turns Off.
Conditions not met - flashes 5 times,
28
turns off.

W163

W163 Transfer Case & Controls

High/Low range motor
(A55)
Control unit (N78)
Low Range Switch
(S97/6)

29

W163

High/Low Range

HIGH

LOW

Front gear set: selects High or Low range operation

Rear double planetary gear set (center differential): distributes torque to front
and rear differentials

30

W163

High Range

Low Range

1:1

2.64:1

1 Input shaft
2 Intermediate
shaft
11 Reduction
hub
13 Shift fork
18 Planetary
gear set
19 Planetary
carrier assy

31

W163

Transfer Case Control Unit (N78)

N78 retains DTCs while the ignition is on. All Activity

Module (N10) stores the DTCs after ignition is switched off.

32

W163

W163 Block Diagram

CAN-C

Circuit 30
Circuit 15

Transmission Control
module (N15/3

Circuit 31
Low Range Switch
(S97/6)
Transfer case
actuator motor
(A55)

Traction Control
(N47/)

N78

ME-SFI
(N3/10)
AAM (N10)

X11/4

Low Range Lamp

A1e46

33

W163

W163 Service Notes

Transfer case is filled for life
ML transfer case must be in Hi range before disassembly
W163 transfer case has a total of 5 replaceable seals (items
#22, 24 at each output shaft, 37, 44 on exploded view drawing)
3 seals can be replaced without removing transfer case (#24 at
rear, 37,44 on exploded view drawing)
Transfer case halves are sealed with silicone sealer only
Transfer case oil pump operates in forward gears only
Towing: MB recommends using flat bed equipment
When towing with all wheels on ground, place gear selector
in N, ignition switch in position 2, at a speed of = 30mph
and towing distance = 30 miles.
See owners manual for more options/cautions

34

W163

Transfer Case Exploded View

Legend on next pages

35

W163

Legend
Item No.

Description

Qty

Item No.

Description

Qty

Item No.

Description

Qty

01

Snap ring

05

Thrust washer

10

Ball brg

02

Ball bearing

06

Reduction hub

11

Ball brg suppt

03

Snap ring

07

Int.shaft compl

12

Retaining ring

04

Carrier compl.

07a

Int shaft

13

Diff ring gear

04a

Pinion shaft

07b

Bushing

14

Rr output shaft 1

04b

Planet carrier
plate

08

Gerotor pump

15

Thrust washer

04c

Input shaft

08a

Cover

16

Carrier compl

04d

Needle brg

08b

Gear set

16a

Pinion shaft

04e

Thrust washer

08c

Pump body

16b

Thrust washer

12

04f

Planet carrier

08d

Bolt

16c

Pinion gear

04g

Thrust washer

08e

Hose

16d

Planet carrier

04h

Pinion gear

08f

Hose clamp

17

Spacer

04i

Needle brg

90

08g

Oil pickup &

filter

18

Upper sprcket

04j

Pinion spacer

09

Thrust washer

18a

Upper drive

36

W163

Legend
Item No.

Description

Qty

Item No.

Description

Qty

Item No.

Description

Qty

18b

Bushing

29

Ball brg

35

T-case cover

19

Spacer

30

Chain drive

36

20

Retng ring

31

Red. Shft fork

Companion
flange

37

Oil seal

38

Washer

39

Stake nut

40

Drain plug

41

Motor bracket

42

Hex head bolt

21
21a

Case assy
Transfer case

1
1

31a
31b

Shift fork facg

Shift fork red.

2
1

21b

Ring red. gear

31c

Cam follower

21c

Retaining ring

31d

Shift fork pin

22

Oil seal

32

23

Lwr output shft

Shift shaft
assy

32a

Shift shaft

24

Oil seal

43

Shift motor

32b

Spacer

25

Spring pin dwl.

44

Oil seal

32c

Torsion spring

26

Magnet

45

32d

Elect shift cam

Hex head
screw

27

Ball brg.

33

Shift rail

46

ECU

28

Lower drive
sprocket

34

Hex bolt

18

47

RTV

AR

37