Any indys near Bpt Ct can replace 85 300D half axles in less than 7 and 1/2 hours? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

raslaje · #1 05-08-2007, 05:28 PM

I'm usually quite satisfied with his work and cost. He was installing a flex plate on somebody's MB when I went there to pick up my car, and his partner and him both have owned MBs so I know he has worked on them and he seems to be quite knowledgeable about MB. Of course I mostly only know what I read on this forum so it would be easy for any mechanic to pull the wool over my eyes. I think he just hasn't done an 85 in a long time because he mentioned it's an old car. He was going to replace both half axles today with the reman CVJs I left, but when he realized it was a 7 and 1/2 hour job he said he would have to do it next week. So he gave me my parts (axles, diff side cover seals, stub axle bolts, crush washers or whatever they're called p/n 1153570675). Forgot to buy diff bolts but he said he would just use loctite on the old ones).
So the labor would be $500+. Right now that doesn't jive with all the threads on this site concerning axle replacement. But I've been wrong before. He's not ready for it so I might as well check.

Brian Carlton · #2 05-08-2007, 05:33 PM

It took me about five hours to remove the differential completely from the vehicle and replace it with a 2.88. Naturally the axles came out withs the diff and got reinstalled in the new diff.

With a lift (which I don't have), R & R of the axles shouldn't be more than three hours for a non-professional. A professional mechanic who knows the tricks of getting the axle spline out of the hub quickly can easily do each side in one hour.

I think a blind man can do the job in 7 1/2 hours if he has a lift.

tjohn · #3 05-08-2007, 05:48 PM

The only way this jobs stretches out that long is if everything on the car is rusted through. I did this job in two hours total, and probably could do it a bit faster if I ever have to do it again. This was on a lift with air tools such as a professional would have. It sounds like you have a good relationship with this guy, I've got to think that he just doesn't realize how easy this swap is. I too used CVJs btw, and I'm quite happy with them.

vstech · #4 05-08-2007, 07:20 PM

"book time" is the 7 1/2 hour figure. it is broken down by axle and by part reassembly.
ask if he can charge actual time, or if he can do it in less than 4 hours. most here have reported doing it in less than 4 hours and they are DIY mechanics in shadetree environments.
of course you can call around and get other quotes. and take them to your favorite mechanic. but bear in mind, you brought him the axles, so he is making nothing on parts, and you get no warranty on installed parts. he only makes money on the install, so he should charge by the book.
John

Bama1 · #5 05-08-2007, 08:44 PM

Last time my mechanic did mine with jack stands and a floor jack in Fours hours tops on a Saturday... charged me a half case of beer for his labor...he would'nt take more so I stuffed some cash in his shirt pocket and told him to go treat his Kids. He always liked to wrench on the 123s as he said it made him feel honest...

Great guy! Wish he was closer to where I am now.

Also, VSTECH is probably right about his going by the book since it is a labor only task...

OMEGAMAN · #6 05-08-2007, 09:04 PM

I can do that job in 1 hour without a hoist. I also own a texas/colorado car so no rust.

barry123400 · #7 05-09-2007, 07:26 AM

A lot of what you are experiencing is why the majority of us change out our old parts. It's really not that hard and the potential savings are more than enough to purchase the required tools and have them for the rest of your life.
Another valid reason is in the world of cars these are pretty simple and straightforward. A friend or buddy could help you out. Two minds are usually better than one until your self confidence at repairing things establishes itself. We have to start somewhere.
Paying four to seven hours labour to just change two half axels is not too attractive to me. Even if affordable.
Save your money for use on a road breakdown if it ever occurs. Or use it to repair something else. Paid for work is not the best approach on a car as old as our mercedes diesels.

Rashakor · #8 05-09-2007, 11:24 AM

I think this should effectively be the trigger for you to go DIY.

Swapping half-axles should NOT in any case take more than 4 hours with normal tools. I did it twice in 3 hours and that counting warm-up drive, post work test-drive and differential sealer drying time!!!!
I used 3 jack stands and and a 2 ton hydraulic jack.

Eric Eliel · #9 05-09-2007, 12:26 PM

I've done this repair twice on my garage floor and only a floor jack (jack stands too). With a lift, shouldn't take more than 2 hours.

ChrisC · #10 05-09-2007, 02:44 PM

This is a DIY operation; I had never done it before on any vehicle, let alone a Mercedes. Follow the suggestions in the following thread as I did and save yourself the $$.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156429&highlight=axle+r%26r

Enjoy,

Chris

raslaje · #11 05-10-2007, 09:37 PM

Well I just might DIY. I had the rear underside steam cleaned in anticipation of my mechanic doing the axles, and that alone makes the job more appealing. As a little warm up exercise I backed the rear tires on 1 foot long 2x6's to raise the rear 1 and ½ inches to see how much trouble loosening the diff fill plug would be (I read that here, fill plug first then drain plug). I telescoped a breaker bar inside a 3 ft pipe which laid across my upper legs and laying on my back in driveway, raised legs and snap! No not leg, just noise from fill plug. So far so good. Applying power with legs allowed me to not only get more power, but to steady the breaker bar with hands so allen would not slip. Next on agenda is to review threads on basics like jack points, jack stands, floor jacks and tools ( I know a screwdriver isn't going to be sufficient for removing the diff side seals) and searching threads to see whether first filling diff with synthetic gear oil to clean up diff before commencing makes sense or just leave alone. And reading again Jeremy's excellent thread on replacing half axles. Yeah I'm tempted to DIY.

barry123400 · #12 05-10-2007, 10:24 PM

Great going, your getting close. This way you can get as greasy as I do from time to time..

Thats free as well.

raslaje · #13 05-18-2007, 10:32 AM

Well I got the CVJ axles installed at http://www.stopandgotransmissions.com/
I seriously considered DIY but my driveway has both a slight north-south and east-west pitch and after reading some threads on this site about cars falling off jack stands and me needing to turn rear wheels to get at clips in differential thus relying on wheel chocks to keep car from rolling I did some web surfing and found that Stop & Go Transmissions did axles as well. I had gotten good recommendations over the years from local mechanics when transmissions were discussed so I e-mailed Ed at S&G Sunday night about installing my CVJ axles and he called Monday morning and said to come down. A professionally run place and pleasant workers. Parking lot was full. I could see business vehicles from Stamford Ct a city 30 miles away for service. Ed pulled up the repair info on his computer and told me 2 hr/axle. Mechanic took vehicle for test drive but heard no noise. Put on lift and rotated axles still no noise. I told him you have to drive about 15 miles before you hear anything. He examined boot and found what only looked like a crack was actually split completely open and no grease inside. I left the car and had my axles, differential seals, crush washers and axles bolts installed. when I picked up the car he gave me all my old parts back which allowed me to see what they looked like. Very satisfied at $386.87 total including tax and parts. Now I can get on to my house repairs.