PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

Jeremy5848 · #14 04-09-2008, 12:26 PM

Left and right are the same. I've read about "swapping" side to side because of "wear" but have had no experience. If you can keep the oil/grease from leaking out of the boot, I suspect that the CV joint would last "forever."

The 8mm bolt style is the older one; most rebuilt axles come with the later 12 mm hardware. Either kind will fit any 123 car. Likewise, the "annular" and "homokinetic" types fit any 123. There is a spacer and washer that are installed to correctly position and tension the 12mm bolt. An axle with the older 8mm hole in the end can be adapted to the newer 12mm bolt -- there's an adapter kit available. My '85 had the 12mm hardware already when I took it apart for the first time. I think it was only the early versions of the 123 that had 8mm hardware and I don't know the changeover date. Most "rebuilt" axles will be 12mm.

I would be suspicious of any axle sold as "new" for $100, even made in China, and wouldn't want them in my car in any case. There's a German firm making new axles, but they are about $400 each. M-B factory new axles are $900 each.

CVJ has a very tight spec when they pick axles to "rebuild." The "rebuilding" consists of a careful (tighter than factory) check of dimensions plus cleaning and rebooting. They are the best of the rebuilders, AFAIK.

The cheapo rebuilt axles aren't held to the same tolerance -- some will be OK, others not so good. If you have the time to tear the car apart again when they fail (to take advantage of the lifetime warranty) then that can be a good option for saving a few bucks. A junkyard axle with good boots is an even better bet -- more of your time (to pull the axle from the junkyard car) but even less money.

Jeremy