The time has come to put new boots on the axles. Finally started to leak. For those of you that have done this, on a 300SD, can the axle be removed from the hub by taking the brake caliper off, or must the top of the shock be loosened?
Also, where is the best place to put the jack stands?

Thanks.

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1984 MB 300SD Turbo

I've done it a couple of times when removing the diff, so I had considerably more available room.

If the diff remains in place, I'm fairly sure you'll need to remove the brake hose and also disconnect the upper shock mount to allow the trailing arm to move to the maximum possible lower position.

I would support the vehicle on jackstands under the body mounts.

Then, support the trailing arm in the raised position (axle straight) while you disconnect the shock. As you gradually and incrementally lower the trailing arm, lightly tap the end of the axle shaft to get it to work its way inward with each lowering of the jack. You want to take advantage of the additional length generated.............as it is generated. Trying to get the axle out while it's twisted into a pretzel is counterproductive.

There are 2 type of axles, Annular (2 piece) and the Homokenetic (one Piece).

Make sure car is securely raised and supported. helps if you remove the wheel for more room to work.

The Annular has the 6 bolts around the out side of the Differential. remove the 13mm bolt in the end of the hub, remove the 6 bolts, push the axle towards the Hub, it will drop down after clearing the flange it is bolted to. then tap it out of the hub with a brass drift. reach in to hold the axle from dropping down when tapping it out.

The Homo axles you will have to remove the rear diff cover to remove the "C" clip that holds the axle in the diff. Drain Diff first, place jack under Diff, remove the 4 13mm bolts that holds it to the body, then lower it to access the top cover bolts.

Remove the Caliper and hang it on the sway bar instead of removing the brake hose.
Then the rest is pretty much as Brian mentioned above.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Did the early 126 ever have annular axles? My thought was that this invention occurred in 1986 on that chassis?

I've seen annular axles on 123's and 126's of all years. my guess is they were installed as repair items by PO's...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

It has the "C" clip style. I was hoping I could get the axle out of hub by only taking the caliper off. I did get a set of axles at the pick and pull to get a head start on this operation. But the dummy, ( ME ) chose a 300D.

__________________
1984 MB 300SD Turbo

I've pulled hundreds of axles. the easiest way if you don't have anular axles with the 6 bolts around the inner hub is to raise the car about 18" off the ground and support the car IN FRONT OF THE SUBFRAME with jack stands.
take the wheels off the car, then remove the center 13mm bolt, keep it safe. push the axle out of the hub, then keep the jack under the diff, and remove the 4 13mm bolts holding the diff mount to the body of the car, then lower the diff, and remove the rear cover. take out the axle clip, you will need a dental pic with a u shaped hook on it. then slide out the axle from the diff, keep ALL THE SPACERS on the same side they came from!!! you can change the axle seals while the axles are out if they are leaking.
clean everything up, and reverse to install.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

John, would you only change the seals if they were leaking? I have been fortunate in never having to do an axle but the time is coming, I'm sure of that. Thanks for the tips.

__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Donīt wish for it - donīt tempt it!

Removal and installation of axles is nice and straight forward in my opinion - but those bloody boots - sodding things always splitting; grease getting everywhere...

...how can such a simple job be such a pain in the arse?

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

The 300D, from my ill-fated adventure, seemed to have the front part of the differ. bolted to the frame. Are the SD's different? Can't get under mine right now to check.
Thanks to all.

__________________
1984 MB 300SD Turbo

Even though I only achieved the Boy Scout rank of "tenderfoot" its good to "be prepared"

So what about the seals, not the kind you feed herring to at the aquarium.

__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

One last thing. Just crawled under the car with flashlight. Seems the differential has two bolts ( towards front, one on each side ) holding it to frame. I didn't think that brace on the cover was the only thing holding the rear in.

__________________
1984 MB 300SD Turbo

You are going to leave the diff attached to the subframe. In reality there are four studs on the diff and four nuts holding it to the subframe.

However, to support the subfame, the back of the diff has a "differential mount" that is bolted to the body with four cap screws. John wants you to remove those four cap screws and allow the entire subframe and diff to lower about 3" or so to gain access to the bolts on the rear cover of the diff.

The only issue is the fact that lowering the diff/subframe combination will shorten the half shaft distance, so it's best to get the half shafts out of the wheel carriers first...........then lower the assembly slightly to remove the rear cover and get to the clips.

You'll also find that some needlenose vice grips are perfect for pulling the clips.

The subframe has two bolts, one on each side, just above the rear doors. You'll leave these bolts in place. The diff and rear portion of the subframe will fall 3" and these two bolts with have some bending of the rubber bushings within them.

Pictures do wonders. here is a link from the resources area.

PeachPartsWiki: Replacing the Rear Axles

yeah I know, this is for a W123, but your W126 has the same setup.

Scroll down to the 10th picture, these are the homokenetic axles. notice how the end is made and the rubber boot.
Now scroll down to the last 2 pictures of the finished axles, these are the Annular type axle. If this is the type you have, then all you need to do is remove the 6 bolts (that has been discussed up above) and the one in the end of the hub. once the 6 bolts are removed the axle will seperate from the part that stays in the Differential, and drop down. then (after the 13mm bolt in the hub is removed) place a brass drift in the hub and whack it with a hammer to drive the axle out of the hub. be sure to hold the axle with the hand that is not holding the hammer.

Now if you have the Homokenetic axles, then you have to remove the rear cover of the Diff and remove the "C" clips to remove the axle from the Diff.
The DIY article is pretty self explanitory.

I just removed 2 Annular axles this afternoon in PNP. piece of cake.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works