Anyone in northern California rebuild or have that fancy axle boot stretching tool? One of my axle boots gave way and I need it fixed. I really don't have the time to get into it myself but really need the car HELP!

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1984 280SEL, 62,000 miles
Euro model in the USA
1983 300D (Totaled out 10/2004)
New Factory Mint Green paint
Palomino int
1982 240D (Steak dinner for two)

I've never rebuilt axles, but from what I've read it's a substantial job requiring special tools. It may be cheaper and easier to just buy a rebuilt axle from Kragen or PepBoys. I bought one at Kragen for $80 with lifetime warranty, but some say these axles don't last. I didn't keep the car long enough to find out for myself. Or you can go with a new axle but they do cost over $300 and ironically carry only a 1-year warranty. My 240D has had one of these for about 2 years now with no problems so far. But by all means if you find a reputable place that can replace your boot for a good price or if you can do it yourself, go for it.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

There is a replacement boot on EBay right now. Includes clamps. Don't know how you would get it on the axle, but there's the boot for you.

One thing to say, stop driving the car now. Don't think that you can go along for awhile with the boot broken - it will go bad on you and then you can't just replace the boot to fix it.

If you get new replacement axles like I did on the 1982 300D, then you'll have a family heirloom that you can hand down from generation to generation. I'll never sell the car with those axles on it!

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles