Lubing axles on W116

[1980sd]

Is there any way to lube them without pulling the shafts and changing the boots?

Thanks

[kerry]

You could inject some oil through the boots. Had it done on my TD.

[layback40]

Originally Posted by 1980sd

Is there any way to lube them without pulling the shafts and changing the boots?

Thanks

Yes you can.
Undo the clamp on the boot around the axle & inject some lube in there.
Make sure you put the clamp back on!

[1980sd]

Thanks guys! What type of lube is recommended?

[vstech]

why are you lubing an axle but saving the boot? if it's needing lube, the boot isn't holding.
or did the clamp let go? what's up?

[1980sd]

The boots are intact but they'll need to be addressed because they are cracked. It has low mileage but has been sitting for years so I figure the lube must be pretty crusty.

I'm eventually going to change boots and swap them from side to side.

[DeliveryValve]

Originally Posted by 1980sd

The boots are intact but they'll need to be addressed because they are cracked. It has low mileage but has been sitting for years so I figure the lube must be pretty crusty.

I'm eventually going to change boots and swap them from side to side.

In my experience, these axle oil do not get crusty no matter how old or how many miles are on them. I think you'll be opening up a can of worms by opening up the boot just to squirt oil in them. You would only do that if you know they are leaking from the clamp.

I'd wait until you change out the boots, which seems you'll need to do sooner than later.


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[kerry]

I had the helicopter noise in my right axle when letting off the throttle and coasting until oil was injected in. Noise went away and has been gone for about 3 yrs.

[DeliveryValve]

Originally Posted by kerry

I had the helicopter noise in my right axle when letting off the throttle and coasting until oil was injected in. Noise went away and has been gone for about 3 yrs.

You had a reason to inject oil in them. I wouldn't do it just because.

Again I would only put in new oil when it's time for a reboot.




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[1980sd]

I'll add reboot to the list of things I can't get done because stuff I hadn't thought about keeps crapping out

Just the usual with a 30 year old machine made of steel and rubber...

[vstech]

Originally Posted by 1980sd

I'll add reboot to the list of things I can't get done because stuff I hadn't thought about keeps crapping out

Just the usual with a 30 year old machine made of steel and rubber...

no reason you can't reboot.
whatever is at the top of your crapping out list, needs to get pushed back behind the axles, as they are pretty much more important to keep working than anything else in the car.
fuel system, oil system, cooling system, transmission/axles... in that order. everything else is behind that in terms of keeping the car going.

[1980sd]

^ I agree. I'm just dreading pulling those axles. I replaced the CV joint on an '84 Renault (Of all things ) years ago but that's all the experience I have with CV's...