I posted this message just a minute ago and it disappeareD! I don't understand Now I have to remember all i had said.

Let me start -- I've read through the archives on this site for a while and have answered most of the questions i have, just one that remains.

I'm replacing the axle assemblies on my 81 300sd because the boots are torn on both of them. MB dealer says they can't get the 'original' because they are no longer manufactured, but i have to buy an annular joint and a homokinetic something-or-other to make it work. Of course, they overprice everything there so i've been looking online for several months before i visited the dealer today.

Was able to find an axle assembly in several places online for around $75 +core +etc.

All i really want to know is what annular and homokinetic are and why can't i just purchase an axle assembly without this 'adapter kit' that the dealer mentioned.

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1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD ~285,000 Miles

J.A.P.

You might find the search function very useful for this subject. Its been discussed to death.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

yea, i've been doing that also -- what/who is CVJ

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1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD ~285,000 Miles

Google baby, its the first hit.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

here was a good thread on the subject:

w123 axle swap , old style for new

CVJ is a rebuilder company.

John

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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

Options to Remedy Failed Rubber Boots on W126 Rear Axle

finally found an answer to the homokinetic v. annular

i typed in cvj before in google and it gave me a bunch of stuff about cv joints ! it shows up now, what do prices run for their reman. doesn't seem to be anything wrong with a napa or something online besides the obvious bias against them on these forums.

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1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD ~285,000 Miles

I think I paid about $315 for both rear axles from CVJ. Apparently, CVJ does not cut into the hardened bearing surface like some others do when rebuilding axles. I can't say for sure if this is true as I don't know anyone that has done any Rockwell hardness testing on their rebuilt axles. It could be a total load of crap for that matter.

I replaced my axles with CVJ's and it was a pleasant experience. Good product so far, good support. Cost $142 and axle plus $7 an axle shipping. $50 core per axle.

Jeremy4858 (I think I got this right) authored the thread that guided me through my axle job.

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'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

that sounds very fair -- plus i will know that i'm getting the proper axles without having to fully understand the annular and homokinetic stuff. No extra parts to buy - just order, they ship, receive, work, return core, done.

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1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD ~285,000 Miles

They only have the more common type. I forget which is which. 81 was the only year that had the uncommon type. The tech guy at CVJ said even if you have the uncommon type its a drop in to put the more common type in.

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'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