240D Half Shaft question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

will66 · #1 11-26-2002, 11:20 AM

I am new to the forum and I just picked up a 1983 240D with 207,000 miles (ebay). According to the paper work in the car, it was a grey market import, no electric windows, no sunroof, cloth interior.

Problem is that while changing the passenger side rear tire, I noticed the inside CV boot was torn completely in half. I have driven the car a total of 300 miles in this condition, and I have no idea how far the previous owner drove with the boot in this condition. It does not seem to be making unusual noises, but as this is my first diesel mercedes, so I am not sure what constitutes an "unusual" noise.

I read some threads about Half shaft replacement, and I feel confident I am up to the task. Any thought about where I can find a used or remanufactured half shaft? What about simply replacing the torn boot?

Car has some other issues, but I'll try to tackle this one first.

samiam4 · #2 11-26-2002, 11:04 PM

COngradulations on the new car,

In general, axle boot replacement is not an option. Mercedes axles are pressed together and require special service tools. For a while, people that caught them early were rebooting them(sending them out ??).
Used is an option, there you want a clean looking one with out lots of rust around the boot/axle joint. All the old boots will have some cracking. I don't know of any sources.. someone posted about a junkyard in lower Tennessee and they charged $80.

New use to be a great option until about 3 months ago and prices have gone way up(qouted about $400 in November). Rebuilt axles go from $99-250 with you returning your old axle. Beck and Arnley use to sell lifetime warrentee ones for about $125(remanufactured in Spring Hill Tn at TRW). I think Advance Autoparts sells B&A parts, but they were not warehousing the MB axles 2 years ago. We did get the part number and find another B&A source, that couldn't find mercedes listed, but could order our part number(funny how life works@!).

Replace the differential seal on the side while you have the axle out. It's like a GM, you have to pull c-clip in the diff holding the axle in place. It's not hard and it take me about 2hrs, but ppl report 4-6 is more common.

Michael

leathermang · #3 11-27-2002, 08:55 AM

Will66, That is great that you do not have electric windows and sunroof... simple is better...
I thought this would be a good time to suggest being sure the drain and refill plugs work before taking off the back plate of the third member ... because they are likely to be ' tight '.... and it is easier to deal with them bolted on than trying to hold it in a vise...

will66 · #4 11-27-2002, 03:40 PM

Thanks for the info samiam4 and leathermang. I'll start looking for a remanufactured axle. Should be a good Thanksgiving project.

Will