W201 Axle Shaft Boots vs Shaft Replacement?
 

Hi All,

So the boots on my driver's side axle shaft are in need of replacing after some 247,000 miles.

I don't have time to do it myself so I asked my shop how much they would charge to do it. They estimated about 150-190 for labor only. Boots total are maybe 50 from Mercedes.

They said that I might want to check around online and see, maybe I could get a whole new axle assembly and just have that installed for about the same total price.

The only manufacturer I've found so far is "GKN Drivetech"

What are your thoughts on this? Should I just stick with the original axle and put new boots on or shoot for a "new" axle?

I seem to recall reading threads about issues with some of these rebuilt/new axles. I don't remember the mfg though.

Thanks
-Kris

Beck Arney remanufactued axles at Rock Auto $51

I'm fairly certain that BA is a re-boxer.. has any one used them before with success, specifically their axle products?

gkn is the oe supplier in Europe. didn't know you could by them new but I see they're on amazon. good luck, chuck.

If your axles are not clicking yet then immediately ground the car and reboot the joints with either factory boots or even universal boots.

Load each joint up with good CVJ grease and a thin bead of weatherstripping glue where the boot ends meet the shaft and joint assembly. This glue prevents salt from getting stuck between the two and start a rust party.

The good part is that the reboots are not that difficult on your car as you have an easily removable lobro style joint on the inboard side.

btw you will also need some anaerobic sealant for sealing the inner joints end caps (permatex make a red colored sealant)

I have heard OK reactions to GKN stuff though I think they supply the wrong size clamps in their boot kits for W123 axles!

If you have no time I'd buy GKN replacements and save the old ones for when you have the time to fix them yourself. Quite a nice easy job to do in my opinion =>

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/352107-w201-annular-axle-re-boot-much-easier-than-w123-homokinetic-axles.html

A few years ago I had to install a new driver's side halfshaft on my '91 MR2 at only about 40K miles... got a rebuilt A-1 Cardone for only about fifty bucks plus core charge, which I got back when I returned the core. It's been fine since, but only now has about 47K miles.

...don't know if they offer rebuilt Merc halfshafts.

Duke