Good reliable place to buy axles.

[Doug183]

157,000 miles, W123.

Ok, so on the car 1983 W123 I just bought, realized one of my Inner CV boots was split open and not sure how long. My mechanic says its not good and that he can see the ball bearings have kind of worn down a groove in there. So he recommends to replace the axle.

1. Although only one axle is going bad, I am thinking to replace both -like tires. Is this sound or am I just throwing money away?

2. There seems to be a split decision to on whether to buy a new Chinese Axles or get remanufactured ones. Rather than reopen this debate too heavily, could people just suggest places where they have had luck getting axles from and what brand did they buy.

Thanks
Doug

[Doug183]

I went with The FEQs. Hope it will not be a mistake. One half axle I got was definitely bad and got a replacement before installing. It kind of felt like there was grit in the inner joint. One tip, after I installed both axles, i was checking things out under the car and grabbed one the inner boots and gave it a squeeze. It WHEEZED. That couldn't have been good. Upon further investigation, the allen bolts on the inner joint were all loose (these are those axles that will not require the differential to be opened up next time.) Tighten them up and the WHEEZING went away. So a not of caution, check those bolts on the FEQs half axles.

[d.delano]

CVJ axles in Colorado- nuff said. This is the only place you should get them.

[Doug183]

Ok...here is a a definite newbie questions and a small warning about the FEQs. I noticed today that the outer joint connected to the tire was 'loose'. I mean it kind of rattled in the wheel bearing. I popped off the center cap of the wheel and checked the center bolt to the axel and it was tight, but the outer joint was still 'loose'.

1.) I am not certain but I am pretty sure, it shouldn't be loose right?

2) As a fix on each side I swapped back to the older center axle bolt and spacer. I did steal the new washer as the the old washer was kind of bent inwards. I tightened the bolts back down and poof! No more 'looseness.' Is this correct?

3) One last question. Try as I might, I could not get the inner spacer that was previously installed to fit on the right inner joint and also push on the C clip - there was simply not enough of the groove to get that darn clip on. The left side was extremely tight with the old inner spacer but I did manage to jam the C clip in there but it seems like that side (left) clip wants to almost pop out. Am I ok here on both sides? Did I miss something? Everybody says that the spacers must be used but it didn't seem possible. However, this was my first time doing it so its entirely possible I missed something. If I grab the inner joints and practically sway on them (do a pull up and I am 200lbs) they don't budge.

Thanks
Doug

Did I do this right? (and yes, I should have gone with rebuilt but I had already got the FEQs delivered....)

[aTOMic]

Fast, cheap as stock while much stronger, loaner tools in every pkg. Simply great!

WWW.RAXLES.COM

[neumann]

what kind of prices did raxles quote?

[Diesel2theMoon]

How do I know? I asked.

Regarding axles for a 1983 300SD from raxles:
----------------------------------------------------
Sorry to say we are unable to provide these.

www.raxles.com
sales@raxles.com

[dieseldan44]

+1 to CVJ axles in Denver, CO.

They are great, and if you have a problem, a pleasure to deal with.

[whunter]

Fastlane: Homokinetic Axle Assembly New
http://catalog.peachparts.com/item.wws?sku=W0133-1598484

Fastlane: Homokinetic Axle Assembly Remanufactured
http://catalog.peachparts.com/item.wws?sku=W0133-1714774

[JHZR2]

Can we define "new" here? The FEQ new part miht be all virgin new parts designed to MB spec, or may be something else. Any idea how close to MB design the "new" part is?

[Diesel911]

Originally Posted by Doug183

Ok...here is a a definite newbie questions and a small warning about the FEQs. I noticed today that the outer joint connected to the tire was 'loose'. I mean it kind of rattled in the wheel bearing. I popped off the center cap of the wheel and checked the center bolt to the axel and it was tight, but the outer joint was still 'loose'.

1.) I am not certain but I am pretty sure, it shouldn't be loose right?

2) As a fix on each side I swapped back to the older center axle bolt and spacer. I did steal the new washer as the the old washer was kind of bent inwards. I tightened the bolts back down and poof! No more 'looseness.' Is this correct?

3) One last question. Try as I might, I could not get the inner spacer that was previously installed to fit on the right inner joint and also push on the C clip - there was simply not enough of the groove to get that darn clip on. The left side was extremely tight with the old inner spacer but I did manage to jam the C clip in there but it seems like that side (left) clip wants to almost pop out. Am I ok here on both sides? Did I miss something? Everybody says that the spacers must be used but it didn't seem possible. However, this was my first time doing it so its entirely possible I missed something. If I grab the inner joints and practically sway on them (do a pull up and I am 200lbs) they don't budge.

Thanks
Doug

Did I do this right? (and yes, I should have gone with rebuilt but I had already got the FEQs delivered....)

They make different sized spacers to adjust it. You are supposed to be able to get the C clip installed completely without any issures and after which have no end/side play on the Axle.
Some members have has trouble with they way the Imported from Asia Axles fit on the inside of the spacer due to the machined radius where the Shaft of the Axle blends into the larger part of the Axle. (There is a Thread concerning this.)
I am not sure which member it was fruitecakesa or funola; said how he measured so he could get the right sized Axles Spacer. After which he whent to a Machine Shop and they reduced the thickness for him on a Surface Grinder (a Magnetic Chuck held it down). He also opened up the interior hole so that it would go over the Radius on the Axle shaft.


http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=262186

But, even a Genuine Mercedes Axle might need a different Spacer. The Dealer has the different sized spacers.

To answer the Origional Qustion. I put what was Kragen Auto Parts Axles rebuilt by Car Done on my Car and have had no problems for about 2 years. At the time the were $75 each (the price has gone up since then) and the New Asian import Axles where not widly available.

[ashedd]

Originally Posted by whunter

Fastlane: Homokinetic Axle Assembly New
http://catalog.peachparts.com/item.wws?sku=W0133-1598484

Fastlane: Homokinetic Axle Assembly Remanufactured
http://catalog.peachparts.com/item.wws?sku=W0133-1714774

I asked Phil about the reliability of his axles and he said none had ever been returned. I bought 2 for my TD and had put something like 10k miles on them with NO problems.

[Diesel911]

Originally Posted by ashedd

I asked Phil about the reliability of his axles and he said none had ever been returned. I bought 2 for my TD and had put something like 10k miles on them with NO problems.

$83 on the FEQ Homeokinetic Axles is certainly a decent price.
The Homokinetic Axles are the ones that do not have the Bolts going through one end.
The ones with the Bolts going through are the Annular type Axles. Those bolts/nuts comming loose has been a major failure point reported by Members on the Asian Import Axles.

[OM616]

Originally Posted by whunter

Fastlane: Homokinetic Axle Assembly New
http://catalog.peachparts.com/item.wws?sku=W0133-1598484

Fastlane: Homokinetic Axle Assembly Remanufactured
http://catalog.peachparts.com/item.wws?sku=W0133-1714774

Is there any type of warranty on the FEQ axels?

Also is there a core charge?

Thanks

Dave

[fruitcakesa]

I have about 10k miles on my GSK's from AA and have checked the bolts for looseness, none. So far so good.
I did have to thin down the spacer and enlarge the center hole to fit.