I have heard that the axle halves run around $300 at the MB dealer. Lifetime warranty axles from a local parts store that carries a lot of front wheel drive axles were less than $60.

When I ordered a pair, I got one of each. I'm not sure it mattered but I sent one back (the one that looked like what came off) and got another one of the one that looked cool.

I'm told that the bearing races on the MB axles are hardened and the cheap replacements are not. These cheap replacements seem do do fine for the rice burners and American cars for 10 years or 100k miles. OK so I have to change them twice as often. I'm not going to be upset if I have to deal with this again in 10 years. The boots rot out before the axle wears out anyway.

It's suprisingly easy, there is a thread on this site somewhere. It helped me through mine a few months ago. The trick was the c clip inside. Pushing from the back with two screwdrivers did the trick, but they got lost in the diff. Don't worry they show up when you turn the gears and remove the axle halves. Getting the clip back in was a little tricky, but a good pair of needle nose did the trick. C-clip pliers were a waste of money.

I'm afraid replacing the boots now is sort of like putting a condom on after the fluid has leaked out. It may make you feel like you did something about the problem, but it isn't going to changing the outcome.

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69 220D not running
79 240D parts car
80 240D Beater runs everyday
81 300TD temp disabled cooling problem
82 300SD sweet