It's a pretty straight fwd job. I can do a pair in 2-3 hrs, but many state they spend 6-8 hrs the first time.

Let's see- no need to remove the caliper.

The bolt that retains the axle is inside the hub. You can see it with the wheel removed in the center. There have been 2 different sizes.. This also can give you probems as your replacements could be- 2 different sizes!

$1400 sounds like is should be factory new axles- lobro/gkn. Figure $300 labor, so $550 per axle list price- yea that's in the ball park.

Circlip holds the axles in the diff. There maybe shims behind them, keep track of them if they are there- and put them back.

Do you have a 14mm drain removal/installation allen wrench? I'd suggest a few direct blows to the fill plug and make sure it moves..

To snake the axle out- it depends on the height of the diff... you'll be supporting it with a jack when the rear-cover is removed. All pretty easy.

Unless you really enjoy doing this twice, I'd suggest the Lobro/GKN axlesa dn avoid the tempting rebuild aftermarket axles. I think for a W123 that would be about $320 each, but a vendor might give you a pair price. Rebuilds tend to have life-time warrentees... but it's not fun replacing them at regular intervals.

This would be the only easy time to replace the axle seals in the diff.

Michael

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