Good video. I would add that I like to cut the boot after I slip it on. Sometimes a tear can start at the ragged edge of the boot. I use Dorman and the boots may not be as tough.

The last one I had ripped on me. I tried to return it and the clerk got really intrusive about how I put it on. He said "did you have the tool because nobody has the proper tool. Everyone tries a tranny funnel and rips the boot then they return it saying it was defective"

Luckily I'd posted a selfie of me with the boot gun earlier that day. I showed him the photo in my phone of my green boot gun and calmly asked for a refund. I'd say I lose about one in five of the Dorman boots. Especially since I like to expand them inverted to install the inner without actually taking the axel off the diff.

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79 300TD “Old Smokey” AKA “The Mistake” (SOLD)
82 240D stick shift 335k miles (SOLD)
82 300SD 300k miles
85 300D Turbodiesel 170k miles
97 C280 147k miles

This is another supplier of flex boots and installation tools. (From Australia, it seems. They say on their site that their tool can be used without removing the axles. But that must depend on the vehicle. May be easier on a FWD?

STRETCH CV Boots – STRETCH CV Boots, Rack Boots, Tools, Wipers & Gloves

On vehicle boot replacement (FWD):
https://youtu.be/oEKY0uFlBpc

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

I suppose it all depends on how you define "removing." There is no way to install a one-piece boot unless at least one end of is disconnected. And if you can get a boot on the shaft for one end, you should be able to get it on the other end. It's just a matter or orientation. Unless, of course, you are dealing with an axle which features a center support bearing, which a number of FWD vehicles have.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

The factory boots are not overly expensive and are vastly superior quality .

I buy mine from the Classic Center and they ship to my door .

FWIW, those cute little tubes of special short fiber grease are plenty *if* you're diligent .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

So, how do you install them? If you have homokinetic axles, don't you have to cut off the cans and then use a special press to install new cans?

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

It seems that there are universal split boots that should fit the 123.

In UK seems they call boots gaiters!

This is a universal model.
This boot is suitable for shafts 19-35mm and CV joints 56-110mm. Our cars are in that range, I believe (25 & 64mm ?) There may be others. For example, Stickyboots.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

I did a boot replacement for a guy a while back. He got estimates for replacing the boots, and for good quality rebuilds plus labor to R&R the axles. He found out that the price was about the same as buying the boot gun and boots. I did the labor in exchange for the boot gun. It worked out good for both of us. He has new boots on his original axles, and I have a boot gun for future jobs. The Astoria 2000 is a great system, and I give it two thumbs way up.

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

Yes .

I am lucky (so far) as one of my W123's has annular CV joints .

Still and all the factory boots last hundreds of thousand of miles and age out before they wear out, no aftermarket boot I've ever seen on anything, will do that .

Split boots are a passable jerry-rig but they really do need to be glued along the seam and it's amazingly difficult to not get one iota of lubricant on that dang seam .

I wish there were still any axle rebuilders near me, all gone it seems .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

You do not need any adhesive or glue where the boot bolts together it will not leak there the critical fit is on both ends and it is better to get the boot a little bigger the shim it then too small. I shim it by cutting a piece off the old boot get good tight fit on both ends and your good to go. Wish the company would make an exact fit but so far have not found any yet.

You need to do that on one end of the Homokinetic Axle.

People have used a large channel locks to crimp over the new can lip. I have had no experience with that so cannot comment on it.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

This is not the Boots from Mercedes but the stock type boots on my Cardone Rebuilt Axles started getting little cracks after about 5 years of use. So not all of the stock type boots are created equal.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Found another UK company that sells a cone, a pneumatic expander and a mechanical expander operated by an electric drill!
Pneumatic:
Mechanical: http://www.toolstop.co.uk/sealey-bsl104-cvj-boot-tool-mechanical-p75175
Cone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8Qyr3x05ZU

They say: "Install CVJ boot without removing drive shaft from the vehicle or the CV joint from the drive shaft." Question is - On our W123s, would there be enough clearance for the expander tools? Looks like there might be for the cone.

These show up on ebay & amazon.

By the Way, This is what WHunter said here:

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Wow ~ that cone thing looks slick .

Where to buy ? .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

They can be found on eBay. Probably ship from UK. There are also China knock-offs - not much cheaper. Some have used a transmission funnel, but this cone is cheap enough and seems rugged and designed for the job.

Pneumatic looks best, but the cone may be better if trying to change boots without disconnecting axle from diff. ??

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Thanx very much ! I simply typed in 'CV Boot Cone' and got :

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2051541.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xcv+boot+cone.TRS0&_nkw=cv+boot+cone&_sacat=6000

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better