After searching and looking at many threads here on rear axles and their boots, I need to ask for information I've not found so far...

The rear axles on my 82 300SD W126 are the homokinetic type and still had the original boots in place as oil drained when I cut the boots off the shafts. I've decided to reuse these original joints as they're noise-free and apparently still have much of the factory heat-treated surfaces intact where the balls ride. After disassembly of the joints and a thorough cleaning of all the parts in mineral spirits, I plan to reassemble with four of the Astoria Flexx boots - chosen because of their supposedly extreme flexibility and durability. For lube, I plan to use the supplied molybdenum disulfide MoS2 grease; the boot kits appear to be from somewhere in the EU.

Question: How are these homokinetic joints taken apart? I've found no snap rings and when looking at the ends of an axle shaft itself I think I see the ends of splines where they enter the "three-arm" castings that contact the housing when the joint is flexed to its limit.

I've used a brass drift and hammer to try to drive the "three-arm" casting away from the shaft (secured in a large vise) but haven't had any success so far. Does this joint disassembly require the use of a press? I have one available.

Thanks for any information on this disassembly precedure...

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Respect, protect, and maintain complex systems - whether natural or of German design, to benefit from their full potential.

1982 300SD W126.120 with an OM617.950 from a W116.120
1984 300SD W126.120 with an OM617.951