I have a 1980 300D with cracked CV boots. I read all I could about refurbing them myself, but finally shriveled and took the shafts, with the appropriate boot replacement kit I got mail order from Mercedes Direct, to my local auto repair shop. These guys regularly replace CV boots, but called me today and said they could not do these because there is some sort of metal part that needs to be crimped on before the new boot is placed on. I believe they are talking about the can shaped part that is on the outside joint, which I did not realize needed to be replaced in order to replace the boot. Has anybody heard of this? These guys tell me that they think Mercedes Benz is probably the only shop that can do it.

Yes, it takes a special tool to crimp the can, although I believe people have done it with pliers...how well they did it is another question. I suspect that the typical Mercedes dealer may not have this crimp tool any more -- I'd be delighted to be wrong, though. Ask and let us know.

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

If they do end up crimping it with a pliers or channel lockes have them degrease (with brake cleaner) the both contact areas and apply some silicone sealant in the area where it will be crimped. This way if the crimp is not perfect it will not leak and also the sealant has a glueing effect if the area is degreased and would compensate for any looseness.
That being said some companies sell completely new axle assemblies for around $130 and I have rebuilts on mine that were less than $80 each.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Well, after much running around, Mercedes cannot reboot these axels and every other import auto repair company in Austin Texas balked. I finally found a one man shop that says there is no need in replacing the "cans" and also he said he has his own grease and an assortment of boots that are better than my kits included; thus I can get my money back on the kits I ordered. I had to agree, why replace the cans?...the boot is what needed replacing...and I am willing to take a shot with his boots. I am supposed to pick them up tomorrow...if it is not what I think, I will report back. Thanks for all of the input.

I know it can sometimes be a tacky question, but could I politely ask how much he is charging for this? If the boots are replaced before the internals wear then that can be a perfectly acceptable repair. And maybe cost effective.....

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I thought that the cone on the can was removed so that you could clean and inspect the joint and the "balls" in it; in addition to getting the right amout of grease in the right places. If the boots were not cracked through maybe nothing got inside and there is no problems.
I like to fix things and save money but I could not resist exchanging my axles for the less than $80 each rebuilts, getting that life time warranty and having my car on the road the next day.
Keep us posted on the results and cost.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel