Rear Sagging Possibly

[rmmagow]

Car is a 1983 300D.
This past summer I replaced the two rear axles in the car. The new axles were re-built units from AutoZone. I noticed the car seemed to have a much more even keeled stance after these axles were put in. Everthing nice and level, looked good.
This morning I noticed the car appears to be sagging just a little on the driver's side rear view. I've been using the car regularly and the ride is still about the same. I got it pretty badly stuck in a snow bank a couple of weeks ago and had to do a little R & D action to get it out.
Mostly, I am wondering, could I have broken the axle again? ? Is crawling underneath and trying to move the axle in and out a valid test to see if all is OK inside the CV joints? Am I maybe just looking at subframe/diff mount replacement? The AZone axles don't have more than maybe 5K on them so even if they're not the best, I'd be surprised if one of them failed already. Main question is in the absence of any axle type noise, is there another way to determine if the axle's CV joint's are still OK. Boots are all intact.
Thanks Much

[Brian Carlton]

I believe that you are confusing two issues.

The axles do not support the vehicle in any way. They simply carry torque from the third member to the wheels. Replacement of the axles cannot affect the ride height. It would be unlikely that you damaged the axles by attempting to get it out of a snow drift on one occasion. They normally exhibit a noticeable clunking sound when they go bad.

Now, on the ride height, the issues are subframe bushings or springs or both.
If one side is higher than the other, I'm inclined to lean toward subframe bushings rather than springs.

The SDL has a low ride height in the back and there is an even opinion on whether the problem is springs or subframe bushings.

[aklim]

But if the ride height suddenly dropped, I would be inclined to check the springs first. Check them for breaks then go to the bushings

[phantoms]

Also check the diff mount as it effects ride height too.

[Hatterasguy]

The rear diff mount will affect ride height. How old are your rear shocks? Old shocks will let the rear drop a bit too.

I had Autozone CV joints on my Camry. I put them in when I got the car and then beat on them for 15k miles. They are still fine, then new owner has another 10k on them. A diesel rwd car doesn't stress CV's like a gas fwd car does.

[aklim]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

The rear diff mount will affect ride height. How old are your rear shocks? Old shocks will let the rear drop a bit too.

I had Autozone CV joints on my Camry. I put them in when I got the car and then beat on them for 15k miles. They are still fine, then new owner has another 10k on them. A diesel rwd car doesn't stress CV's like a gas fwd car does.

I don't follow. If the mount is bad, shouldn;t it sag on BOTH sides?

[Hatterasguy]

It should. Isn't the rear sagging evenly or is one side lower then the other?

[willrev]

My 300sd is sagging in the rear some. I am thinking about going ahead and replacing subframe mounts, shocks, springs and pads, and differential mount.

Would there be any value to replacing sway bar bushings, trailing arm bushings and sway bar links too? I know if it aint broke don't fix it. But would all of this not constitute a complete rear suspension rebuild? Or did I leave out something. Let me know.

[boneheaddoctor]

Originally Posted by willrev

My 300sd is sagging in the rear some. I am thinking about going ahead and replacing subframe mounts, shocks, springs and pads, and differential mount.

Would there be any value to replacing sway bar bushings, trailing arm bushings and sway bar links too? I know if it aint broke don't fix it. But would all of this not constitute a complete rear suspension rebuild? Or did I leave out something. Let me know.

Personally if I would replace EVERYTHING if I was going into it as deep as you are..........the rest of the parts are less than the alignment will cost when you are done. Why chance having to go in again soon. I did EVERYTHING when I did my 300SD.......becasue I only wanted to take that appart once. The front end that is....the rear stuff looks in good shape.