Axles: Replace both or one?
 

I've found quite a few posts describing the awful thumping noise I've got going on in the rear of my '82 240D. It's definitely coming from the drivers side axle and gets worse as the car warms up. Both axles have splits in the boots even though only one side is making the noise.

Here's the question: Can I buy just one rebuilt one for the drivers side and just replace the boots and CV lube on the passenger side? Am I just going to have to do a whole nother axle job a few months down the road? I'm on a budget, but I dont' want to spend more time on this project then I have to.

Thanks,

Deanna

PS: Car likely has 200,000 miles or so- odometer has stopped who knows when.

You can do just one axle, but chances are if boots are torn on both axles the one that isn't making noise now will begin to make noise soon. Unless there is evidence that the passenger one is newer than it's probably not far behind the other one in wearing out. Rebooting the one thats not making noise will buy you some time, but it could start making noise at anytime. And to reboot the axle you have to pull it out anyway. But axles don't come cheap so I understand the concern.

Deanna,

Replace them both. Forum's choice of rebuilt axles come from CVJ in denver, $300 shipped to your door for the pair. Costs another $50 in parts to do a complete job right. That includes the seals in the diff, washers, new sealant for the diff cover etc.

Jeremy4858 has an excellent thread concerning this some time ago that I followed. The FSM article is great for this job as well. Took me about 8 hours over three days, and I was a real newbie at that point and going oh so slowly.

Good luck,
dd

Actually the key word here is 'torn' boots vs 'cracked' boots. If the boots are cracked they can last for an indefinite amount of time. One of mine was ripped in 02 and required replacement in 04. Luckily I had a parts car with an almost new MB part to use for the swap. The other side had cracked boots in 02, and duh... they are still cracked but not ripped. However the joints have not exhibited any of the banging and thumping that the other one did. The reboot route just does not seem to be an economic gamble to me. Heck using a used half shaft from a JY on the opposite side of the car is likely a better gamble. The wear surfaces used when rotating in the reverse direction are practically new.

Replace both if at all possible
 

If you do the axles one at a time, you will have to open up the differential twice rather than once. Doing both axles at the same time will cost more up front (for the second axle) but not much more in time because a lot of the things have to be done anyway for the first axle.

I have also been told (by CVJ, the Denver axle rebuilder) that you can get away with driving a "clicking" axle for many miles, especially if you squirt in some grease and wrap the boot in duct tape. Not pretty but you can't see it anyway, right? That will get you the time to save up and buy both axles instead of just one.

Jeremy

I would (and have) replace both if one is acting up, especially if the boot is torn. It's just one of those cost/risk/convenience type decisions.

I've also had good luck with CVJ rebuilds.

Advance auto has new CV axles for $90 apiece shipped. They aren't in the system but are available according to an email I just received from partsamerica cust. service. Kudos to mattbellivue (sp?) for originally clue-ing the forum in to this source.

Thanks for your e-mail. Your local Advance Auto Parts store can order the NCV 48998 (SKU 20870644) for you. The cost is $79.88 each w/regular ground shipping. Shipping time is 7-14 business days to the store or your residence. Please contact your local store and a Team Member will assist. Not available online.

Thanks,
Jay
Customer Contact Center
Advance Auto Parts

Do whatever fits in the budget, its not a hard job to do. Suggest going synthetic for gear oil.

I hear that its better to re-boot than re-place
 

I use a mechanic that will, if at all possible, re-boot the axle as opposed to replacing it. His argument is that the "new axle" is not as well manufactured as the original ones installed at the factory by MB.
As all 4 of my axle boots are cracked on my 84 300D, I am going to have him reboot them before they rip. The cost for this job is estimated at 800.00, includes all new boots, re-crimped with the factory tool, new diff. fluid and a complete tear down and rebuild of the original axle.

I hope it's worth it.

For $800, I would have the shop install CVJ rebuilds instead of rebooting the old ones. I agree that the originals are much better than the McParts store crap, but I wouldn't spend $800 to re-boot the originals either. The originals will eventually wear out even with good boots. My rebuilt axles have been doing fine for well over 100K miles (I'd have to look it up). Give CVJ a call and talk to them.

When we bought our MB it had 176000 miles. A short time later I was getting this thumping that sounded like the R/R. so had the shop replace it along with the other side with the thinking at that time that it just as old. So had them replaced with new axles, and they came with the up grade so I don`t have to take the diff. apart. just unbolt from a flange on the outside of the diff.
so about 3 yrs ago the R/R was thumping again and had it replaced with another new one. the L/R is still hanging in there.

The first time they were replaced the list price was $545.00 ea. they charged me $350.00 for a total of $700.00:eek:
That was at 182965 miles.

Then at 292814 miles had the 2nd R/R replaced $500.00 plus labor :eek: :eek: :eek:.
That ain`t going to happen again. this was before I knew about MB Shop and all the info I have picked up.

there is a E-Bay seller "macautopartsdiscounts" that has rear axles for the W123 for $64.95 plus $18.00 shipping in the buy now . BUT they are made in CHINA.

Charlie ☺

Why do the boots cost so much?

Excellent question. I like DIY stuff and I especially like saving money but the cost of the boots + the work involved compared to the cost of a rebuilt CV axle that has a warranty leans in favor of the rebuilt axle to me.

I agree with this theory, but $800 is way too steep.

Replacing them both, parts from china
 

The boots on this 240 are not just cracked, not just split, but pretty much blown wide open. A few weeks ago, I had read about the CV lube/duct tape fix, so I already did that. It bought me a few weeks, but that's about it.

Yesterday, I bought 2 new axles at $97 each from NAPA, since we don't have an Advanced Auto around here (this is in Palm Springs, nothing's that cheap). They're both made in China, which sucks, but I have a friend to help me out this weekend and I needed to do this quicker then CVJ can get them to me. I need my car back on the road.

I figure I'll probably get 100,000 miles tops on them...but that's not too bad. Just cross my fingers for that.

Thanks for the advice guys.

deanna