I drove my 240D in to work today. 45 miles one way. Last 15 miles I start hearing a high pitch squeal. When I came to a traffic light slowing down the knocking starts. And the knocking/banging continues as I take off. I continued on to work hoping it would hold together and it did. Looked underneath and the rubber boot is half gone on 1 side and the other one is ripped. Looks like I'm going to be spending a few bucks on this one.

Any suggestions on if I should replace any other items while I'm in there. I'll be doing the work myself, so it's just a matter of parts cost. Maybe universal joint, driveshaft bearing, change differential fluid?

Also, have any of you done this job before?? Helpful hints would be appreciated. Thanks.

Mark-

You WILL be changing the diff fluid as you will have to open up the diff to pull the circlip to release that end of the axle. I would suggest a synthetic like Mobil 1 in the diff. Check the other axle carefully and change it if the boot is ripped.

As for the driveshaft, I would see if the flex discs are still resilient and that the center support bearing still adequately supports the center bearing (if you drove it at speed and did not feel a vibration it is probably OK). The on-line price for these items totals about $100-$120. Be sure to mark your driveshaft halves before you remove the driveshaft. If you plan on keeping the car and want it to drive better - do it all. The flex discs can disintegrate and fall apart-not good at speed. If you are still thinking of changing to a stick, then you may as well wait on the driveshaft as you will be messing with it then.

Rick

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Are we talking about the drive shaft, or the half-shaft (CV joint)?

Half shaft. CV joint.

FWIW, I've had good luck with my rebuilt half shafts from CVJ Axles in Denver, 303-297-2448. I've have them installed for 50K+ miles, now.

I lifted the car at lunch. Definetly the cv shaft on the passenger side. It knocks and there is about 1/2" play in and out. Both boots on that shaft are pretty much gone. I think I will change the flex joints at the same time. The shaft on the drivers side the boots are splitting. I'll change that one as well.Looks like I have something to do this Holiday weekend besides fishing.

Found them at Parts America. Advance auto parts website.http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?mfrcode=A1C&mfrpartnumber=609022&parttype=945&ptset=A $76.00 each.

CVJ Axles in Denver gets my vote, too. This forum has reported mixed results with cheapie rebuilt axles. Do a search of the forum. Replace the side seals in the diff while you're in there. See this link for more info:

W123 axle R&R job--some questions?

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Realize that this is normal and must occur if the suspension is to compress.

The replacements will do the same thing.

Boooo..Parts America Nazi's say they cannot locate any of those Cardone rebuilt $76. cv axles. Oh well. I have another outlet for a brand new one for $329. delivered to my door. I'll try to take pics and document the process.

mark did you try autozone... they have them but you have to specify if they are splined or not( i cant rember which it is to order)

Any that I could find are rebuilts and noone actually has them. Henry will have a brand new one at my doorstep tomorrow. I charged the 134A in that manual system. BBBrbrrrrr...ice cold.

i replaced both my axles in my 300D with those from partsamerica, and it went well. i have put 10k on them since and no issues. it was a hassle to get my core back, because i bought them online and returned the cores in a store. but it was cheap and not that hard to replace.

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Grey '91 350SDL 214k Dad's car
Beige '81 240D 4 Speed 254k SOLD
Blue '82 300D 225k SOLD
White '95 E300D 46k SOLD
Blue '87 190D 2.5 Turbo 315k SOLD
Brown '80 240D 4 Speed 716k SOLD
Beige '80 300D N/A 119k SOLD
Blue '85 300D Model 186k T-Boned

How long ago. I ordered and paid then they e-mailed me back to say they could not locate any. At $76. and a $60. core I was happy enough with the price, I was doing both sides.