Originally Posted by xke190sl (Post 2910313)

I have been searching all morning for a rear axle split-boot for my 1982 300CD. Does anyone have a reference? The axle is not making any noise whatsoever, and I would have never known it was split until I looked at it yesterday while changing the sway bar links. I realize most agree the split-boot is a temporary fix, but I used one on a 77 240D years ago and the boot was still perfect after 50,000 miles when I sold the car. It was held together with small screws & washers. I put about 2000 miles on the car per year;therefore, maybe a easy solution in my case. If there is no direct source for a MB split-boot, does anyone have suggestions for a universal fitment? I did have the brand/fitment of the universal type a few years ago, but I cannot find it now!

Thanks!

Richard

Originally Posted by ah-kay (Post 2910400)

I used an universal split boot from Kragen/Orilley. It was blue in color and I needed to customizing it by trimming the bellow as it was a little too big. It was mounted on the inside so it was not flexing as much as the outside boot. It lasted about 30K miles. However, the outside boot also split and making noises so I replaced the whole axle instead. The decision had nothing to do with the split boot, it was still holding OK.

Would I use split boot again? The answer is probably NO. Changing the whole axle was not as difficult as I first thought it would be and a replacement shaft is not expensive. So I would not mess with a split boot again. But it does work and last a long time. If you are in a pinch then ...