Hey everyone,

So I turn to the form yet again for some sage wisdom.

I purchased a refurbished set of axles from CVJ Axels out of Boulder, CO. Very reputable company that comes highly recommended on the form.

Had my Indy mechanic replace the axles because I'm short on time and this job seems a little too much for my novice mechanic skills.

Took the car for drive and noticed that a squeaking noise was noticeable during a left turn (at speed), typical of a worn axle. This sound was not there prior to replacement.

My question is, did CVJ sell me a bad axle or is there potential my mechanic installed something improperly?

Thanks!

Those axles usually make a loud clicking sound when bad vs a squeak. Squeak noises are usually brake, wheel bearing or driveshaft related. A rotor brake shield may have gotten bent and is touching the rotor in the turn.

Check everything including the lug bolts for tightness.

Good luck!!!

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

Info for an 85 W123.

Get some WD-40 and spray it in the joints of the Plastic Links on the Sway/Torsion Bar and also spray it on the Sway/Torsion Bar rubber bushings and see if the sound goes away.

Was the end play of the bearings on the rear wheel hub checked? When you turn it could be the end play causing the rotor to ride on one of the brake pads.

Brake pads not retracting as they should.

The Cup shaped washer that the Axle Bolt on the outer end goes is I believe supposed to be replaced but at the very least when that bolt is tightened the Washer is supposed to remain tight and seated.

On the differential end of the Axle there is not supposed to be any in and out play of the Axle. If there is pay the Spacer/Shim needs to be thicker. Although I don't see that making a squeaking sound.

Control Arm and Sub Frame Bushings and the Differential Carrier/Mount?

It also is simply hard to detect where sound is actually coming from. Spray WD-40 on the Front Rubber Swaybar/Torsion Bar bushings. When I replace mine they would occasionally squeak. the WD-40 took care of that.

I don't recall any squeaking but when the rear control arm bushings on mine were no good when I cornered the rear felt kind of squishy sideways in the turn. I additionally found out the Sub frame bushings were shot.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Only for a front drive car, CV's on a rear axle don't pivot at the wheel like a front drive car.

A slightly bent brake shield is a common issue.

There is another less known issue. Wheel bearings used on CV type systems are not adjustable for clearance, this is designed in during manufacture. Portions of the inner race where the 2 meet can wear during use. Not much of a problem until the axle nut is tightened causing bearing clearance to go to zero or preload then coupled with a long term loss of grease.

That might be true for Toyotas and Hondas, but it definitely is NOT true for a Mercedes W123.

The axle-end screw on a W123 plays no role in bearing preload.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

Wow! Thanks for the replies everyone!

Yes, this is for my 1985 300D. The sway bar links are new, 3 months ago. I guess it is more of a whirling sound... it's hard to describe. I am going to shoot a video of it making the noise and post. Hopefully it can help others too.

I gave everything a good shake today and seemed pretty solid. However, I was an idiot and assumed the axles I received were all good so I did not think to check them for play preinstall... sometimes I learn the hard way.

Good to know the preload on the axle nut does not affect the wheel bearings.

I'm not saying that the axle bolt / nut is an adjustment, I'm saying if the inner races of the bearings wear due to fretting, the stack up changes and preload can increase when the system it retightened.

Got a parts breakdown pic?

I vote for the brake shield being bent too.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'm gonna just take a stab here and suggest that there may be a feature in the design which prevents this happening....a collar, or perhaps the axle end is too long to be pre-loaded by the retaining bolt.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The Rear Bearings on a W123 are 2 each tapered roller bearings and they are adjustable.

On both ends of the axle you can compress and telescope it. So there is end play.

The end pay on the rear wheel bearings is adjusted with out the Axles (the tool to do that goes into the bore that the axle stub shaft goes into).

If the rear wheels on a W123 are on the ground and you were go grab the middle of the axle shaft you should be able to slide it towards the differential and back to towards the rear wheel hub.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Finally got the video!! The noise occurs when I made a 90° left turn.

Ignore the other screeching sound likely coming from my brakes. Going to look into that this weekend... a w123 owners work in never done.

from POB on Vimeo.

Looks like Your right axle is rubbing your coil spring. Maybe it is a little larger diameter than the other.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Where do you see the right axle? All I see is two videos of the left side.

In any case, the noise sounds very much like the brake rotor contacting the dust shield. It's real easy to bend the shield when removing/replacing the half shafts. I would spend a couple of minutes with a short pry bar bending the dust shield inboard a bit.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

Bottom video is the right side, top video is the left side. Kind of confusing, since both videos are shot at the same camera angle.

I agree that it looks like it may be hitting the spring. Axle looks very close to the spring on both videos, but on the right side the noise seems to coincide with the suspension moving.

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Milan Brown 1979 240D, rebuilt OM617.952 turbo diesel, rebuilt 722.315 transmission - engine spun a rod bearing

1979 300SD, ~90k original miles, all stock

One of us is definitely confused. I am seeing two (possibly identical) left side views. Maybe my asymmetric dyslexia is flaring up again.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.