Rear Axle Questions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

PanzerSD · #1 01-23-2007, 06:35 PM

Are NEW rear axles readily available for my SD from anywhere except the internet and a Mercedes dealership?

I don't mind buying an aftermarket rear axle, I can get lifetime warranty....anyone recommend any particular manufacturer?

are all 116 rear axles interchangable?

Jeremy5848 · #2 01-23-2007, 08:35 PM

I recommend CVJ Axles in Denver. http://www.cvjreman.com/index.php
Their axles are about $140 each plus a $50 refundable core charge plus shipping and come with a three year warranty. Mine were installed (by me) in July and now have a little over 7000 miles on them and no complaints.

I doubt that anyone other than a Mercedes dealer sells factory new axles. There is a (German?) manufacturer, GKN Automotive, with a new axle (Phil has them -- just under $400 each). Factory axles are about $900 each, last I heard.

#3 01-23-2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

I recommend CVJ Axles in Denver. http://www.cvjreman.com/index.php
Their axles are about $140 each plus a $50 refundable core charge plus shipping and come with a three year warranty. Mine were installed (by me) in July and now have a little over 7000 miles on them and no complaints.

I agree, I've had CVJ axles on my 300D for about 50K miles without any problems.

PanzerSD · #4 01-23-2007, 09:45 PM

what do they do? rebuild them? are you buying a rebuilt axle..if that's the case then theres a very reputable machine shop here that can do it.

#5 01-23-2007, 09:52 PM

Yup, they are rebuilt, that's why they are cheaper than the new ones. If you have a good local rebuilder, you may save some shipping costs.

dieseldiehard · #6 01-23-2007, 10:29 PM

I would not buy from a local rebuilder unless they have done a lot of axles. Meaning a thosand maybe. The tolerances in the knuckle joints are extremely tight. Most rebuilders cannot machine the knuckles instead they just throw out the bad ones and regrease the old ones and install new rubber retaining seals.
CVJ is good, I believe they do the work in Germany. I heard they get a lot of cores off cars in Europe. I've used them twice now. I also bought some no name rebuilds before my "learning experience" I will relate to you. one of those cheapo axles failed when I loaned my "personal" 300TD out to a friend, it was a long way from home and the towing was a nightmare, you can't trust anyone, the flat bed got my car all the way back to me in one piece then as they were about to leave I noticed my front license plate lying on the bed of the tow truck, it had been ripped off the bumper! I had to flag him down to get it and if I weren't there I'm sure it would have slid off and they would never have paid for a new personalized plates which the State doesn't make in blue and gold any longer (shades of UC Berkeley) plus what $60? Wow I was mad they ripped it somehow while chaining the car up onto the towtruck

I then decided to replace the other axle because I didn't trust them after one went bad (it would not even allow the car to move more than 0.1 MPH it went Clunkedy clunk!

) So I bought a set of CVJ's. More $$$$ spent unnecessarily

Listen, its a real hassle to R&R an axle and not worth the savings from buying cheap axles. Warranties are worth little as they do not cover your time and effort or labor if you have a shop do the work

I do not scrimp on axles since that expensive lesson!