Help!! rear left outer axle boot has split - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rickjordan · #1 05-29-2003, 09:38 PM

My wife pulled up in the '83 TD and I noticed that something was dripping form the rear right corner. Upon a closer look I discovered that the outer boot was leaking. Is it possible for the grease inside to of thinned out over 20 years, and leak out the boot. Or do I need to look closer at something else. If it is the boot, is this a DIYer and whats involved?

rwthomas1 · #2 05-29-2003, 10:59 PM

The factory axles are filled with oil. You can shoot some grease into the boot and keep and eye on it to make it last a while until you get the parts to fix it. Carquest has the axles for $69.95ea and Pepboys has them for $99ea. Replacement boots are available but they are $30?ea and you have to order them. Since you have to remove the diff cover to swap the axles you might as well replace both of them. I went though the same thing a while back and there is a post on it so try a search. Yep it sucks. Piece of mind, replace both of them and move on. RT

84300DT · #3 05-30-2003, 05:31 AM

rick i agree with rwt- i had one of mine go out including the differential, so i got 2 carquest rebuilts and a used diff and went on to other things.

rickjordan · #4 05-30-2003, 07:51 AM

I looked at Fastlane and the boot "kit" is $29 and it's OEM Febi/Bilstein. Now, I am used to CV joints which are packed with grease. Are you saying that the whole half axle shaft is filled with oil? Also, Fastlane list whole half axles @$430. How can Carquest sell them for $70? I looked in my Haynes manual for the car and it says this boot job requires "special" tools. Has anyone actually just replaced the boots with out having to replace the whole half axle?

Ken300D · #5 05-30-2003, 12:32 PM

The "can" around the CV joints are crimped. You can cut them open without special tools, but I understand one of the major "special" tools is the crimper for those CV joint cans. And one of those cans has to come off to get the regular boots back on.

I have heard of a more flexible boot that can be pulled over the can, and I have heard of the split boots.

These CV joints are lubricated with oil.

For my part I went with new Lobro-GKN axles.

Ken300D

240-diesel · #6 05-30-2003, 01:30 PM

I had the same thing happen to me a couple months ago, I searched around and came up using another split boot a little oversized so I left the end part of the old boots on and it fit for a while . I did this on both axles left and right , The right one after a while came loose just tightened it up some. And then about a month later the joint started making noise once in a while , so I just ordered one complete axle from carquest less than a 100 bucks ! It is a very easy job It took me less than one hour. Much easier than on any other car I ever had. Good luck .

Capt Kirk · #7 05-30-2003, 02:19 PM

less than an hour???

you must have small nimbe hands

Brad123D · #8 05-30-2003, 03:21 PM

RJ,
As you can see from the above, there are several options to solve your problem. I don't like split boots but you may want to try one and see how long the 3 other boots hold up...they may last thousands of miles or another one may give out soon. If you are rich, factory axles are $600+ each. I think those are the two ends of that spectrum.
I think Carquest and Auto zone axles have lifetime warranties. Not bad for $100ea. or less.
If you can afford the car being down awhile and are mechanically daring, these things can be repaired without the factory tools. The tool to open the can is like a can opener, but an angle grinder used carefully will also work. The joint must be pressed off. The crimper is extremely expensive but I know of someone who does this with hammer/visegrips/pliers... that sort of thing. I recently did a set without crimping and without split boots(Used Uni-Boots...approx.$10 ea.) and I will plan on posting the description after I use them awhile.

84300DT · #9 05-30-2003, 03:49 PM

rick, as stated by others the carquest 1/2 shafts come with a ''lifetime'' warrantee. as they are re-built this is a good thing.
i would mention the market does vary for these things and you will have to return the old ones for the ''core'' charge. my core charge was $90

each side so you can see they really wanted old ones to re-build.

i've been running mine for about 10000 miles with no problems whatsoever.

#10 05-30-2003, 03:55 PM

Sure its not the rear suspension leaking?