The snap ring is only used on the side that goes to the wheel (the side that cannot be removed) the side that is removable (side that goes to the differential) DOES "NOT" Have a snap ring or else there would be no where to get the CV boot in

The usual procedure to reboot the axles consists using a special tool to cut the "can" at the axle's end, then the entire spider still on the axle is removed. If there where a clip it would then be removed and the spider hub is pressed off the axle shaft. Everything is cleaned and inspected, as long as the parts are not overly worn the parts are reassembled with a new "can" inner section put on the axle first, then the spider hub is reassembled into the axle's end. Then a new outer can with the two rubber seal rings is put in place over the axle's end, the complete axle is placed in a crimping tool and the two parts of the axle can are pressed/crimped together, the axle spider is lubed and the boot fitted into place and clamped there.

The later axles do not use the lock ring as the spider hub is pressed onto the axle at a minimum force of 5000 Nm according to the FSM section 35.1-660

Well with the axle installed there is only so much the axle's joints and splined parts can telescope lengthwise so it doesn't have enough room to completely come apart. With the axle out of the car it would come apart if enough force was applied to move or pull apart the rubber boot which is the only thing beyond the friction holding the spider hub onto the axle shaft.

I have a busted axle from my failed lower trailing arm. I will be disecting it as soon as I get my hands on it.


By the way, my chimanese axle has squirted grease onto my undercarriage. so three months and a small but frustrating rerepair.

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77' 300D, "Cartman" SOLD @ 150K (didn't know what I had)
83' 300SD, "The Superdon" 325k+ @ 28mpg
95 E320 wagon, "Millennium Falcon" 231k+ @ 24 Mpg
95 E300D, "Sherley" 308k @ 33.69 Mpg, currently anticipating a head
99 Suzuki Intruder "Trudy" @ 45 mpg

Nm (Joule) is a unit of work, not force. 1 Newton is a shade under 1/4 lb (.224 lb). 5000N =~ 1200lb, light as presses go. If it went on straight a 2-3 lb hammer would probably do it.

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CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

Is it splined or does it have a keyway to transmit the torque? Seems impossible for such a setup to remain together under loads............??

Well, I'll be darned... This would have saved me a lot of $$ if it was posted before. But thanks so much for posting nevertheless. I installed flexx boots on mine, which I think are not as durable as Mercedes boots. I'll keep the Mercedes ones I got before the flexx boots and follow this procedure next time. Who would've known it was that easy...? Again, thanks for posting!

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[/SIGPIC]~cirrusman

1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD - Wife calls him "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
[SIGPIC]




1983 Toyota Tercel (Tommy, The little Toyota that could)
1965 Ford F100 (Grandma Ford)
2005 Toyota Sienna (Elsa, Wife's ride)


Gone:
1988 Toyota Pickup
2004 Subaru Outback

1987 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1986 Volvo 740 GL Station Wagon - Piece of junk.
1981 Volvo 242 DL 2 Door - Hated to see it go. R.I.P.
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT

yes it is splined and is pressed in with "force" and thats what keeps it in place

the load is transmitted in a circular/turning motion = splinted shaft transmits the power

if the force was applied in an out ward direction like it was pulling on the shaft then yes it would come apart

but the force is not really an outward or inward force its more of a turning force
although it does slightly move in and out its the whole shaft and spider that moves in while sliding on the balls and out not the shaft trying to separate from the spider

Great Job!
('Will INSPIRE the more timid to MB boot their axles!)

What an IMPRESSIVE display of Precipitation by Mother Nature.
[Did I notice a small power failure during the Monsoon?]

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

I cant remember there was lots of thunder and lightning that day, it was the rainy season

Remember when reassembling that the spiders on either end MUST be displaced torsionally 60° to each other. This means that you should mark the spider position on the shaft before you remove it as you won't see the other end unless you strip it too. Failure to do this will result in vibration and jerky rotation when shafts are dog-legged.

Also replace the plastic plugs in shaft ends! The shafts float and can knock on either end when turning - they will still knock but you won't hear it! - Don't ask me how I know.

Lastly swap the drive-shafts to opposite sides - you can double their life in this way.

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Beagle

Here's the procedure on a VW ( Lobro) CV joint. Look way down towards the bottom...

http://www.4130-products.com/step/cvboot/index.htm

Is the MB joint held on the same way, with a recessed circlip on the axle, or is it just a press fit into the splines?

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Maybe one of our members who has used the Flexx Boots for many years may comment.

I know other members have commented that the Mercedes type Boots are thicker.
However, the fact that the Flexx and the Dorman Boots that are able to stretch to the extent that they do they must be made some exceptionally elastic material.
Since they are so elastic I am thinking they are less likely to crack with age.
My Cardone rebuilt Axles have the stock type Mercedes Boots and they claim they are made of Neoprene. However, right out of the box they felt rather dry an inelastic.

I am guessing that either the stock or the Flexx Boots are going to outlast a rebooted Used Axle.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

While I am not sure that they could be stretched as much when I was looking through the various boots that Flexx or Dorman one of the companies also sells Silicone Boots.
The Silicone Boots are for use where the Axle Boot is near a heat source; like the Engine and are supposed to withstand the heat better.

If they are anything like Silicone Sealant I do not picture them cracking like any of the Rubber Boots might. However, they cost more and no one on our Forum has tried them.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Well, I know this is not popular, but I've replaced both of my axle shafts with MOOG units from Parts America - I did "modify" both of the inner joints by removing the bolts that retain the inner joint to the shaft and applying red locktite.

Haven't had a lick of problems with them and they carry a lifetime warranty.

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1982 240
460,000 miles total
140,000 on Rebuild