I need to replace the rear axles in my '81 240D. How do I tell if it has the homokinetic or the annular half shafts? And how difficult a DIY job is this? As for experience, among other things, I can wrench my '53 pontiac and '79 Fiat. Which manual will be best for step-by-step instructions?

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240D '81 265K
300SDL '87 81K

If both ends LOOK the same on the axle shaft then they are annular.


Takes 1.5-2 hrs at dealer to install 2 new axles on that type of car.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

The Haynes manual for the 123 diesel or gas has a good write-up.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

If there are bolts holding the joints to the flange as in this picture you DO NOT have a homokinetic axle.

The homokinetic jointed axles have the joints covered by a can that is crimped together.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Does anyone know if they are interchangeable? Someone suggested that. What is the advantage one over the other?

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240D '81 265K
300SDL '87 81K

The axle in the picture is the way they are currently sold unless you buy rebuilt. The homokinetic were the only ones installed on those cars.

On 126 body cars that passed through the era when the annular joints were introduced that event occured in about 1986. so 126 cars can be seen with both type axles as original equipment.

if you buy the axle from MB the original number subs to 123 350 04 10 and needs these extra pieces: 2x 124 350 56 45 (flange) 4x 124 357 01 75 (load applying washer for 3 bolts), 2x 124 357 02 89 (gasket I think) and 12x 000 990 92 12 (bolts)

The axle in the picture includes all of the extra pieces. After installation a future repair could involve just the boots or individual C/V joints. This is the advantage. The disadvantage to a homo axle is that it can't be purchased anymore and without special tools it can't be disassembled. Only boots are available for those with the tools (yours truely, included).

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Steve,

When I purchased my GKN rebuilt from SSF- it was complete with the extra flange and bolts already assembled. Drop it in just like the old hommo style.

I'm now looking at W124 stuff and it seems that the inner flange was changed- hence I will still need to replace it when replacing an axle assy??

Car is an 1986

Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E