Flexx Boot Axle Repair Using Cone - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pawoSD · #1 06-01-2009, 04:46 PM

We just used oil and it seems to be working fine....

DeliveryValve · #2 06-01-2009, 05:36 PM

Talked to the folks at CVJ axles and they confirmed that Mercedes in the past used heavy gear oil for their CV joints. But Mercedes have now switch to Grease because the technology of grease is better today. CVJ uses grease in their axles.

79Mercy · #3 06-06-2009, 10:11 PM

I started this job today. I got me a nice funnel and cut it to work, 4 new Dorman axle boots, and mobil 1 gear oil for the joints. I'll say this, those rubber boots don't stretch out quite as easy as other members said that did. I broke 2 boots. Anyways all 4 boots are on and I decided to call it night. Just need to fill them up with oil and then pu them back in. How did everyone else fill the boots will oil? I was just going to clamp the big end of the boot and then pry open the small end of the bott and fill it up with oil. Good idea, how did everyone else do it?

BTW, I think that MB filled the CV boots with tranny fluid, atleast that was it looked/smelled like. Im using gear oil though.

tobybul · #4 06-06-2009, 11:13 PM

After removing the old boots, draining the old oil out, shoving in the new boots and correctly fitting the new boots (trimming unneeded rubber) on the axle, position the axle so it is standing upright on a work surface. Do not clamp the new boots yet. Push it out of the way. Get the large and small clamps ready.

With the axle upright, fill the lower axle with new oil. IIRC, it took 1/2 pint or up to about half an inch filled over the gear. Once filled, reposition the boots on the axle.

Install the large clamp and the small clamp. Do not overtighten so you won't tear the boot. This completes one end.

Repeat the procedure to do the other end. I recall that all 4 axle ends took a total of 1 qt.

79Mercy · #5 06-07-2009, 12:12 AM

you just filled the cand with oil and then put the boot in place. I wonder if you got enough oil in the joints? I was thinking about clamping the large clamp on the boot and then pulling back the small end of the boot and filling it up with oil. It seems that more oil would get in the joint that way.

thanks

Mike Rancourt · #6 06-07-2009, 10:57 AM

Which clamp tool would I need if I were to buy the Flexx boots? I gather that they come with clamps, but are clamps universal in the sense that I might end up with the wrong clamp tool? I don't want to spend a lot on the clamp pliers. Hell, I don't want to by them at all.
Others on this forum have suggested using zip ties (axel CV boot made easy - posted by someone self-described as "Crazy mechanic," and that sounds crazy). One or two have suggested using a (radiator) hose clamp would be ok, despite the imbalance (this one might, too: CV Joint Removal and all related info, 300D, and there was another one where the poster was much more direct and even said he didn't FEEL any problems with balance, but I can't find that one anymore).
- what tool?
- can the flexx boot clamps be crimped (or whatever is done to make them stay) without a special tool?
- anybody in New York City, Western Mass, Western Connecticut, or Albany have a tool I can use?
- is using zip ties as bad an idea as it sounds?
- is using a large worm-drive hose clamp as bad an idea as it sounds?

Diesel911 · #7 06-07-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Rancourt

Which clamp tool would I need if I were to buy the Flexx boots? I gather that they come with clamps, but are clamps universal in the sense that I might end up with the wrong clamp tool? I don't want to spend a lot on the clamp pliers. Hell, I don't want to by them at all.
Others on this forum have suggested using zip ties (axel CV boot made easy - posted by someone self-described as "Crazy mechanic," and that sounds crazy). One or two have suggested using a (radiator) hose clamp would be ok, despite the imbalance (this one might, too: CV Joint Removal and all related info, 300D, and there was another one where the poster was much more direct and even said he didn't FEEL any problems with balance, but I can't find that one anymore).
- what tool?
- can the flexx boot clamps be crimped (or whatever is done to make them stay) without a special tool?
- anybody in New York City, Western Mass, Western Connecticut, or Albany have a tool I can use?
- is using zip ties as bad an idea as it sounds?
- is using a large worm-drive hose clamp as bad an idea as it sounds?

Some place in the Forum I read that the large end a Member used a clamp similar to a hose clamp but us used on the Ducting/Hose that is in the back of a houshold Clothing Dryer to vent out the hot air.
They are are not has wide and heavy as a hose clamps but they should work fine.
For the smaller end I guess a regular hose clamp would work fine.

However they have different types of CV Boot clamps; one type has some sort of hooks that when you squeeze the clamp get caught in a recess under them.
There is also a CV Boot clamp that came in CV Boot kit I put on a Chevy Cavalier that needed no tool. You grabbed the end sticking out with a vice grips pulled it tight and bent it back the Opposite direction.
Bent back flush in the opposite direction keeps it from slipping; after that there were 2 (or 4 I do not remember) tabs that you bent over on top of the Clamp Band to crimp down and keep it from slipping.

JimmyL · #8 06-07-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Rancourt

Which clamp tool would I need if I were to buy the Flexx boots? I gather that they come with clamps, but are clamps universal in the sense that I might end up with the wrong clamp tool? I don't want to spend a lot on the clamp pliers. Hell, I don't want to by them at all.

Do you call $15 bucks a lot????

And you can get them "on loan" from Autozone. I just went ahead and purchased them because they were only $15 bucks!!

Astoria boots come with the clamps, and they are the style that have the small hooks and the "bubble" that you crimp. Very simple, and the cheaper crimping pliers work just fine.
Come on, you have to spend "something".......

tobybul · #9 06-07-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Rancourt

- what tool?
- can the flexx boot clamps be crimped (or whatever is done to make them stay) without a special tool?
- anybody in New York City, Western Mass, Western Connecticut, or Albany have a tool I can use?
- is using zip ties as bad an idea as it sounds?
- is using a large worm-drive hose clamp as bad an idea as it sounds?

- The tool which Astoria also sells is similar to the one AZ sells. The AZ tool looks beefier.
- It may be possible to crimp it without the tool but not effectively IMO.
- I'm in Michigan. The tool is only $15 in AZ
- If u r referring to the plastic zip ties, I would not do it.
- The hose clamp may work as long as it does not loosen up.

pawoSD · #10 06-07-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79Mercy

you just filled the cand with oil and then put the boot in place. I wonder if you got enough oil in the joints? I was thinking about clamping the large clamp on the boot and then pulling back the small end of the boot and filling it up with oil. It seems that more oil would get in the joint that way.

thanks

Once the axle is in the car most of the oil is in the can anyways, as its the lowest place unless the car is loaded down a lot. Even when horizontal there's tons of oil sloshing around in there. Due to the physical nature of the spider assembly, it sloshes oil all over the place in there when turning.

79Mercy · #11 06-07-2009, 07:02 PM

Im done. Looks pretty nice to me. Aleast I won't have to worry about them for a long time.

Let me know if anyone need to borrow the clamps pliers.

JimmyL · #12 06-07-2009, 09:28 PM

Looks like a very nice job!! That W123 deserves nothing less.....

DeliveryValve · #13 06-07-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

.....That W123 deserves nothing less.....

Than Monroe Shocks?!?!!!!

J.K.

79Mercy · #14 06-07-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeliveryValve

Than Monroe Shocks?!?!!!!

J.K.

I know it.... Thats the next project, although they're still good.

tobybul · #15 06-07-2009, 10:35 PM

Nice job...

I know u r done but in answer to your question about quantity of oil, you should have noticed the amount of oil inside the can b4 you poured it out. The can is NOT filled with oil. Only up to the level I described which came to 1/2 pint.

I think overfilling it may not be good.