I getting ready for another interstate trip in about a month, and I took my car to the dealer (gasp!) for a thorough safety inspection. The only issue they came back to me with were leaky axle boots.

Unfortunately, being a novice and all, I never inspected the state of my car's axle boots when I bought it (plus, it's the first RWD car I ever owned). The axle wasn't making any bothersome noises, and it still isnt clunking or clicking, from what I can hear.

But anyhow, I do have the axle boot problem on my hands, which I will have to solve one way or another. Now, the dealer told me that replacing axle boots means 8 hours of labor. The dealer quote to do both sides, parts and labor, was $4,000. Um, yea... Obviously, I am trying to figure out what options I have.

I did a search on this issue and read a few threads about the options available to me... From what I understand, I could

a) find split boots (if they can be found anywhere?)
b) find used half-axles with good rubber on eBay
c) find cheap reman half-axles
d) find either new or high-quality remanned half-axles

So here are my questions...

1) Does Cosmos International who made split rubber boots still exist??? I tried their 800 phone number in another thread but didn't get anything. JC Whitney doesn't seem to stock these either, or maybe I need to call them. As a quick solution, I could go for this and deal with replacing the axle later...

2) Is it worth my time getting used half-axles off eBay? I am not sure how much of a job it is replacing axles - I've never done anything like that.

3) Where would I get a quality half-axle and what sort of prices can I expect? I didn't see those things available for my W126 either on Rusty's site or on Fastlane.

4) How big of a job is it to replace the axle assemblies on W126 for a newbie who's never done this sort of a repair before and are there special tools needed for that?

Many thanks! I am a bit stressed over this right now, so any feedback would be appreciated.

__________________
84 300SD - bought in April '06 with 237,000 mi

Man your dealer is trying to screw you....

I had my rears both done at an indy here in SA for about $800 total P&L - mine were just cracked but OK so I just had them re-booted, not rebuilt or replaced and 10k miles later so far, so good.

Not a job I had the time or tools to undertake due to the special clamp tool.

Good Luck!
John

__________________
John Hughes, was in Landstuhl, Germany but currently in San Antonio, TX


1978 280CE Astral Silver now 59,xxx miles and counting "Silber-Kugel"
1986 300E Black Pearl Metallic 143,xxx miles 5-spd daily driver w/ blk leather "Schwarz-Schönheit"
1989 190E 2.6 (euro) 5-spd Desert Taupe 112,xxx kms Had to leave behind in Germany!!! "Helga"
1983 300D Pastel Beige now 312,xxx + miles SOLD

OBK#24

I remember seeing a post where somebody spooled duct tape on to the boots to keep the dirt out. It seems like it is worth a try.

__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Yea, it's unreal. Their prices for other things aren't bad, actually, but if you have to buy big parts at the dealership, that's where you lose.

What is the difference between an axle shaft with homokinetic joint (126 350 24 10) and an axle shaft with annular joint (126 350 69 10)? Someone said to stay away from annular joints, but I would like to know what that means first...

What is a decent price for a rebuilt axle? On one website, I saw a rebuilt axle with homokinetic joint (126 350 24 10) go for about $255 per side... Good? Average?

__________________
84 300SD - bought in April '06 with 237,000 mi

I just replaced 1 side on my 240D this weekend. Easy job. I got a new axle for $329 delivered to my house. If you choose to go that route, feel free to contact me. I'll help out however I can.

By "new" you mean... "brand new", or....? You replaced one side only or both?

(Thanks for the offer of help, by the way - I am likely to take you up on that!)

__________________
84 300SD - bought in April '06 with 237,000 mi

Brand new. I only could afford to do one side right now. The axle I replaced basically had no boots left they were so bad. Making a whole lot of noise.

BTW I looked at the axles you need for you car. A little different than mine. Still shouldn't be too hard though.

In my dealings with half shafts on FWD cars, which are pretty much the same as these, once the boot cracks the axle is shot. Dirt gets in there, slipping a new boot on is a temp band aid at best. Before you know it they start making noise. Now FWD axle's have to deal with a lot more stress than our cars.


You can buy new ones for about $300ish each, or remans for about half that. Replacing them doesn't look to bad. I wouldn't bother trying to slip on new boots, not worth the effort IMHO.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Deniss I looked at your pics and noticed your in NJ, which means road salt. Check your brake lines I bet above the rear subframe they look worse.

I have had two brake lines blow on my SD. Lucky for me both were in the garage. I just took it out of storage this week, and stood on the brakes to check this. Sure enough the pedal goes to the floor, the rear pass side line blew apart. I replaced the other side last year, now they both are good!

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Oh man I'd hate to have a brake line blow while I'm in heavy traffic - I'll make sure to check that out. Thanks for the tip!!

Um... Hattie - where can you get a NEW axle for a 300SD for around 300 bucks that you mentioned?? So far I've only seen remanned for around 200... If you have a line on that, please do share

__________________
84 300SD - bought in April '06 with 237,000 mi

On eBay, I found my exact axle up for bid. It's a used, previously remanned homokinetic axle. The description said the axle was remanned in 2004, with boots in "great shape"... It's going for some thing like 25 bucks, with buy it now set at 80 bucks.

Seeing as I'm a bit tight financially right now, I am thinking about this option... The boots look exactly like the factory boots on my "good" axle, which gives me some confidence. Also, the seller has 100% feedback rating, with 7-day return.

What would be a reasonable max bid for an item like this? Advice anyone?

__________________
84 300SD - bought in April '06 with 237,000 mi

I forget where I saw them for that and it was a long time ago. I'd price a set out from Phil first, MB of North Haven second. I get a volume discount from the dealer, me pay list?

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I second the advice by Hattersguy. I also have am '82 300SD. I had the long brake line blow out at the junction right above the left rear axle. Like he said, you stand on the pedal before going out--failures in the garage are inconvenient, but no one gets hurt.

__________________
1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

About removing the half-axle... What tool am I going to need to uncouple the CV joint from the hub? The FSM lists a special tool that looks kind of like a press. Those of you who've done it (excluding the very lucky cases where it came out by itself), what did you use to break apart the axle from the hub?

__________________
84 300SD - bought in April '06 with 237,000 mi