300SD 1983 Axle Flange Kit and easy axle changes

[rhodes2010]

I have been searching the board for more information on using the flange kit

Listed as:
1243505645 Drive Shaft Flange (or 124 350 56 45 ).

When I look at replacement axles for a 1983 300sd I am finding axles with an inner flange that seems to eliminate having to open the differential and
remove the clips. Each time the notes says that this flange kit is required
for this type of axle.

I am surprised that this is not written up here somewhere.
Not having to open the rear end to replace axles would be awesome.

Below are pictures of each piece being sold online.
The stubby part fits in the differential and needs to be attached with C clips,
just like the original inboard spline of the axle needs to be attached with C clips.

The axle pictured then bolts to the newly installed flange style mount. Future axle replacements would not require opening the differential anymore.
Although to install this you need to open the differential to remove the existing axles and C clips and install the new stubby flanges and new C clips.



In two weeks I will be replacing both axles on the 300SD and will go this route if possible.

Asking if anyone has any experience converting an existing spline on each end axle to this style spline on wheel end only axle.

From the picture of the part is looks like it goes into the read end splines, clips in, and provides a mounting surface for the axles to bolt to.

[Doktor Bert]

Yes....

Remove cover, install flanges with 'C' clips. Use appropriate length axles for your application....

However,

Your 83 300SD has the small 185mm differential. I have only used the flanges with the larger 210mm differential (shown) and have never used the flanges with the smaller differential.

Perhaps Delivery Valve will chime in....

[charmalu]

There are two types of axles, the Homokenetic, all one piece, and the Annular two piece with the Flange. I have not heard of a Flange Kit, but when you order the Annular style, the Flange is part of the new axle.

If you already have the Annular style axles and have to replace it with another Annular, then just unbolt the 6 bolts at the flange and R&R the axle and bolt it up. no need to take the cover off the Differential.

Changing a Homokenetic to an Annular, you will still have to take off the Diff cover to R&R the axles.

I haven't worked on the 116 or 126 chassis replacing those axles, just the 123`s. they bolt up the same way just a longer axle.

Here is a thread that shows the 2 different style axles in one of the posts.

Homo and annular axles

Charlie

[rhodes2010]

At the junkyard yesterday and found several W126 MB from 1981 to 1989.
Some had annular axles, some had homokinetic, some had the outer weight ring that unbolts from around the can.

Then there was this one that was labeled 1981, it was a 2 door 5 liter engine.
Badge gone off the trunk, but must be a 5xx SEC .
Inside drivers door tags says manufactured 1981, imported 1983.

This model had axles the same length as my homokinetic axle, but
with annular inner joints, and flanges with built in weight rings.

I have read that the larger weight ring is an obstruction in the 300SD diesel
because of the fuel line, and I believe it. My fuel line is extremely close to the can on the inner right axle.

So after removing these axles from the 1981 I left them in the trunk.

Doing this gave me a chance to measure the length of the spline and smooth shaft on the flange side. (1 1/4 inch smooth shaft, 1 inch spline).

I realize that converting to flanges on the small differential 1983 300SD
will require getting those original axles out to study the inside axle stub.

I really want flange / annular style axles in the car and if I have to change to the larger 210mm rear end I will do that.

There are a lot of posts on this board about people trying to get different gear ratios, and several comments that getting those gasoline car gear ratios
has not improved diesel gas mileage, so that is not my motivation.

I thought that getting a pre 1986 W126 set of axles was all that was needed
but now I see those weights, and different differential size and it gets confusing.

Can anyone offer a simple answer on getting from where I am.
A stock 1983 300SD with what appears to be a 7 inch wide differential (185mm) with homokinetic axles, the differential has the mount dead center
(as opposed to the side mounted diff cap that appears on 1986 and above W126) .

To: Annular axles.
If I get any W126 with center mount diff can I slip in that with its attached axles ? (even if it is the 8 inch / 210mm )

Some of the posts talk about the pinion/driveshaft (propeller) mount being different.

In the end I may end up simply sending out these axles , getting them rebuilt, and be done with it.

Any advice is appreciated.