W201 / W124 new axle strife? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stretch · #1 07-12-2015, 02:49 PM

G'day Folks,

Although it might seem like I'm always here and I should know the answer to the following question myself I'm sorry to say that I'm a little bit stumped on this one.

{Question at bottom of this post in big letters if you want to cut to the chase}

I saw that new axles are seriously discounted at the dealership so I bought one from them because it was cheaper than anyone else selling quality + shipping

{Ahh nice shiny}

Oh lush - what a lovely purchase!

I did notice the ASR band on the end of the can before fitting it and kind of had something in the back of my head saying "this isn't going to go right" but as I was in a "just get on with it" kind of a mood...

...I found that the band got pushed back along the can during installation

So OK - I can go with the flow - cut off the ASR band

After checking the can diameters

Fitted the axle again and thought I'd fixed the problem. However when I came to adjust the parking brake I found that the wheel wouldn't turn.

Bugger. Loosened the nut on the axle shaft and the wheel span!

Took out the axle (again) and looked for damage on the wheel carrier

None that I can see. Bearing moves smoothly (as it should it is new). Looks like there's an imprint of paint on the inner side of the axle mating surface =>

Double checked the length and the shape of the axle ends

I think there's a fraction of a millimeter too much off the end of the new axle.

...I'm thinking shim...

...there seems to be a fraction of a millimeter fitment issue...

..however before I go any further with this axle - here comes the question

Has anyone had any trouble fitting new axles to W201 / W124 wheel carriers?

Stretch · #2 07-13-2015, 06:13 AM

Monday morning bump

'ave I missed a whole heap of threads on this subject?

Zulfiqar · #3 07-13-2015, 10:40 AM

is there a difference in the stepped area where the axle spindle is? I had a problem like that on another brand of vehicle, not on MB.

Stretch · #4 07-13-2015, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

is there a difference in the stepped area where the axle spindle is? I had a problem like that on another brand of vehicle, not on MB.

I don't think there's much of a difference but it is difficult to measure with the limited tool kit I've got with me at the moment - I'm going to try a shim to see if that solves the problem.

vstech · #5 07-13-2015, 12:15 PM

the new axle is missing the chamfer that the old one has on the step between the plateau and the can...

take a pic of the two axle ends facing the camera...

vstech · #6 07-13-2015, 12:17 PM

measure the diameter of the two plateaus...

Stretch · #7 07-13-2015, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

the new axle is missing the chamfer that the old one has on the step between the plateau and the can...

take a pic of the two axle ends facing the camera...

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

measure the diameter of the two plateaus...

I didn't really want to show that picture because it gives a false impression.

I've added some information to the picture to help explain.

The main diameter A is the same for both axles

The inner diameter of the plateau B is also the same on each axle

The confusing part is a gutter "C" which looks in the pictures I've made to be higher on the inner side. This is an optical illusion in the photos.

###########

I've made a bit of progress making a shim (looks like a washer) with an outer diameter of 64mm and an inner diameter of 44mm.

I wish I had a set of decent metal hole saws! I'm reduced to this nonsense =>

A set of rust resistant metal scrapers used for spreading glue / tile adhesive were cheaper than a sheet of steel or aluminium

I'm sorry I'm not going to post up a picture of the resulting abortion! I hope It'll do the job and at least will be hidden from sight.

Stretch · #8 07-14-2015, 08:30 AM

Update - and hopefully the end of it.

I added a (dreadfully made) 0.5mm shim and did up the axle bolt and the wheel spins freely.

I hope this is the end of it.

One might assume this is just a bit of bad luck - perhaps too much paint on the wheel carrier - but then the old axle fitted and didn't give any grief...

Simpler=Better · #9 07-14-2015, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

I'm sorry I'm not going to post up a picture of the resulting abortion! I hope It'll do the job and at least will be hidden from sight.

This is the perfect description for every "permanent until it breaks" fix