I have some concern over those aftermarket W123 "Rebuilt Rear Axles"...when you read the fineprint on the stock description, I seriously doubt any of them are rebuilt. The text reads "ONE - NEW REMANUFACTURED Mercedes-Benz rear axle shaft (half shaft). This axle will fit ALL THE (W123) CHASSIS VEHICLES. 240D, 300D, 300CD, 300TD. This auction is for one axle & will work for either the passenger or driver side. These are axles that have had the CV joints inspected & replaced when deemed necessary. Boots & grease have all been removed & replaced. Come with 13mm bolt that runs through the hub. REMAN IN A BOX"

They are merely steam cleaned recycled axles with new boots and paint. The ones that dont pass spec are thrown away.

The reason I wonder about this is my axles had bad boots for about a month or two, but they still are "tight". I doubt that any Rebuilt Axle with new boots I order is going to be significantly better...For a completely rebuilt axle made to OEM specs, you would probably pay a $1000 bucks. I think I am just going to REBOOT mine and avoid being ripped off.

I think you have a valid concern. I had both my 300D half shafts replaced (with reman's) by my indy earlier this year because one was starting to make noise. After about a month, one of them got very noisy again. He replaced them both (under warranty) with reman's from a different source. So far the second set seems good. The "new" set was from CVJ Axles in Denver, 303-297-2448. I don't know the supplier for the first set. Now, I'm glad I paid him to do the work so I didn't have to do it twice. It did cost about $1000, including labor, but I would have been annoyed if I had to do it twice myself. Then again, I'm old and lazy.

Craig: What was the cost for the axles themselves? I have a boot splitting, and I'd rather not regrease/reboot it if I can get a unit done that can be depended upon.

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'83 240D with 617.952 and 2.88
'01 VW Beetle TDI
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD
'89 Toyota 4x4, needs 2L-T
'78 280Z with L28ET - 12.86@110
Oil Burner Kartel #35

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...oD/bioclip.jpg

My indy charged me about $200 each for the half shafts, but that was for the first set (from another supplier) including his mark-up. I don't know what they would charge retail, if they even sell retail. I would just give them a call. I hope these are good, I still have less than 10K on them.

Your Indy usually charges retail (actually Suggested retail price).....but pays wholesale...SOP in the business.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

BTW, how would you describe the sound made by a failing axle? Some of us need to know

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

In my case, I started to hear/slightly-feel a mild thump-thump from the right rear. It was usually detectable when "coasting" through a long, higher speed right turn (highway ramp) without power. I could sometimes hear a couple of thumps while turning at low speed around town. I had them both replaced before it got any worse. When the "new" half shaft failed, it was much more sudden. I started hearing a "jack hammer" sound while driving at 60 mph in a straight line. By the time I got home (20 miles) I could hear/feel a distinctive thump with every wheel revolution. I then jacked up the rear and let the rear axles spin at idle speed. I could clearly see the right half shaft shifting about 1/4-inch back and forth on each revolution, like it was binding then releasing.

I assume so, but sometimes he gives me a pretty good deal on parts (if he thinks retail is too silly). In any case, $200 each sounds about right for retail.

The price for a set of rebuilt CVJ axles is about $145 each plus shipping. They are NOT torched or have had the CV joints "torched" back on. I think the owners name is Steve and I've spoken to him a few years ago. He takes in used axles and inspects the joints for wear. Once he finds good joints, the axle is rebooted and relubed with the proper viscous oil that was OEM. Only about 30% of the axles he gets are candidates for rebuilding. I've had good luck with mine.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

Glad to hear it, hopefully mine will do as well.