Pictorial on how to replace the axle boots.
 

I just finished up a quick pictorial on how to replace the axle boots.

http://dieselgiant.com/mercedesaxleshaftbootreplace.htm

Enjoy.

Russell, that's the neatest trick that I have seen in quite awhile.

OK, now the scoop:

Where does one rent such a "flexgun". I presume that nobody wants to buy such a tool.

Or, maybe you could put yours in the rental pool??


Another question:

The grease that was provided completely fills the new boots?? Or is it simply packed around the joints?? It does not appear that one package of grease would be sufficient to pack both boots.

Be careful--I used this tool
 

Be careful--I used this tool, and the boots got ripped, all four of them.
These are universal boots, they come in some sort of red and white box and not specific to the Mercedes 300D which must have the biggest Cans ever on a car; the tool was designed for SAABs, Toyota's and Volvo's. I know Diesel giant is a good mechanic and I respect his success, but these are not as heavy as Mercedes boots, they are almost 50% thinner and there is a chance that like me you might get yours ripped.
(So which alley are you going to wait for me in, Diesel Giant? Remember first you gotta catch me.)

Diesel Giant:
Very nice pictorial instructions.
I wish you could include some pictures on how to take off the axle from the car.

Thank you

Thanks for the pictoral!
:D
What did you use to install new clamps?

Great job.

Also: if you switch sides when you re-install the half shafts to the car, you have essentially new "drive" surfaces in use on the balls and cage. There are "drivers" (3 balls) and "idlers (3 more) in the joint and when the sides are swapped idlers become drivers; and versa vice. ;)

No I am not going to meet you in an alley:P Maybe at a diesel service station ha ah.

In my semi-enginering opinion the boots are very well constructed and plenty heavy enough. They are only a fraction thinner than the Mercedes boots. However that does not mean they are any less weaker. They are more pliable so I think they will actually resist tearing and dry rotting even more than the factory boots.

Rubber is a weird thing. It all depends on the chemical make-up to tell if they will outlast the originals. But even if they only last 10 years, they are still cheaper and easier to do than the old fashon way.

AS far as I know the tool was designed for axle shaft boots, any. The tool clears the "can" fine. I took a boot and opened them up on the tool to maximum capacity and there was no tearing or failing of any kind.

My Jetta Tdi needs to be redone also, so I will be using this same method also. I will be the guinny pig for a long term test.

Regarding the boots...

...first hand experience outweighs semi-engineering opinion :) :D

Time will tell.

Also are the axles really that difficult to rebuild? I know doing VW and other such german car components that they come all apart for cleaning, repacking of grease, and stock boot application.

Of course its not for anyone to just randomly tear down and put back together (bug axles will lock if you are off by one ball when putting the CV back together) but are these pressed together? Snap rings?

Just curious...mine are still in good shape so I am not there yet.

Nice writeup DieselGiant. Got a good list goin :)

What is a source for obtaining the boot expander tool?

Ken300D

quick question about the transaxels themselves.. my left side assembly looks like the one dieselgiant has the pictorial on.. but my right side doenst look like that.. it looks newer but the boots on both are cracked and the left side makes a clunking sound when i back up.. help

You can get them from places like tool source or snap-on.

If it is toolsource.com, I'm unable to find. Snap-On can't be cheap...

What about a source for the boots themselves?

I know that one of my boots has recently failed as I can see oil spotting in the wheelwell.

You can buy the boots where they sell the unit. They are only about $10 per boot.

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/arafb5000pk.html

Ouch!:eek:

http://www.astoria2000.com/welcome.html

The company with links. I guess they want you to buy from Snap-on. A manual cone for installation is available. That could save some $$.

Will be interesting to see how long they last.

Dave