Need help replacing rear axle boot that is torn. The Tech articles only show the replacement for a w124. Are these the same or is the w201 different? Any special tools or anything else I should look for when replacing?

__________________

1990 190E 3.0L

I haven't seen the 124 articles, but the axle is the same. The trick is that the inner CV joint comes off by removing a snap ring, which makes it easy to slide the boots on without much stretching. It's a good idea to replace both boots at the same time.

I highly recommend Astoria CV boots. They're made of silicone rubber, so they stretch better than rubber boots, and last longer. I used an Astoria 3000, but I think the 2001 would be a better fit:

CV Boots

And they're cheap, while OEM boots are priced like gold.

As for tools, you will need an XZN male socket to remove the differential bolts...don't try a Torx socket, or you will strip the bolts. You'll need a big impact socket for the hub nut...I think it's a 30mm. A torque wrench. And finally, snap ring pliers. You WON'T need a boot expander if you remove the inner CV. You'll have to replace all the hardware, do not reuse anything.

Having done this once on my car, recommend also that you have plenty of grease available for inside. Spend 2 bucks and get some extra, I think you will use it.

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

Here's what I did

W201 annular axle re-boot – much easier than W123 homokinetic axles!

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Going to have the moderators add this to the sticky. This is an amazing write up!

__________________

1990 190E 3.0L

So there are 4 boots for the 2 rear axles. Are the boots all the same or is there an inner (close to differential) and outer?

__________________

1990 190E 3.0L

I can not detect any difference between the boots - I'm not sure why the numbers are different

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!