My rear axle and shocks appear to be original which means 384000 miles on them. The CV boots are completly shot. They are perished and split right around their entire circumference. They obviously have to be replaced but what I'd like to know is if there is a way to tell if I need to get just the CV boot kit or do I have to replace the axel shafts as well?

Second. I notice that the rear shocks also have rubber boots extending up the shock shafts? Never seen these before and the shocks on fastlane dont show any such rubber boots. Can anybody tell me what these are? Are they simply part of the shocks and the problem will be fixed when I replace them?

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

If they have been driven like this for any length of time then you will need to invest in new axle shafts. I just finished replacing mine. There are some excellent threads on the subject in the archive, specifcally one by Jeremy4858(may have the # slightly off). Go with axles from CVJ of denver, will cost you about $325 for the pair. Im very happy with mine thus far.

Im a newbie and I was able to replace mine with advice from the folks here.

dd

__________________
-------------------------------
'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

Once the CV boot splits, the grease gets flung out, and dirt and water find there way in. So you are better off getting replacement axles.

Do not know about the cover on the shocks. Some one replaced my shocks with the dreaded white ones. My 4x4 has the covers on them, that was not a factory thing. The cover protects the polished shaft and seals from water and debris.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

What is dreaded about the "white" shocks?

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

They are not robust or long lived like the Bilstiens.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K