Wondering about the half shafts...
 

This may not appear to be MB related, but it will be later...

I have to replace the right front half shaft on the 2000 Altima. The boot split. Nothing new right?

Anyway, on reading on how to change it, I have to remove the center nut from the hub, separate the steering knuckle from the UCA--struts, so no spring action on the LCA. Separate the half shaft from the hub, the just pull the half shaft from the trans axle. No c-clips, no draining the tranny...

I was wondering why is there a c-clip in the rear diff on the MB, which is subject to only suspension travel forces, while on the Altima, it has that as well as steering.

Not having to remove a c-clip would make changing the halfshafts on our MB's that much easier. Any one have any ideas?

Yes

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123RearAxles

Dave

Nice DIY but I don't see a reason for the c-clip specifically mentioned. IMHO, it's there because the suspension can allow the rear wheels to move outward relative to the differential and could pull the half-shaft right out of the diff if it were not held in by the c-clip.

I second--good job on the write up!

On that Nissan, the passenger side has 3 bolts that anchors the inner CV joint. On the driver's side is a spring clip the stay on the axle. So I guess they do get attached at both ends after all. The MB is probably easier.

I broke my 24" breaker bar trying to loosen the center spindle nut on the Nissan...:mad: The cheap Campbell-Hausfeld impact wrench had great difficulty breaking that nut loose as well. Time for a better impact wrench...:eek::D