Many W123 Axle Shafts to Address - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

nate300d · #1 11-05-2007, 06:29 AM

Well, Madeline (my 1981 300D) made the 150 mile trip from Dearborn to home without a sound from the rear axle while traveling down the interstate. (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=203835) However, when stopped and shifting into gear and sometimes when releasing the brakes a light ‘clunk’ can be heard. While in Dearborn on two difference occasions I notice a small spot of oil under the car. In reference to the cars position both spots appeared to be in the same location so I believe that Madeline was responsible both spots. Although I thought that the noise was coming from the right side the oil appeared to be below the inner boot on the left side. I have not had the chance to get under the car, but I am pretty sure that this axle is toast and not worth ‘re-booting’.

I have two shafts from a parts car with cracked, but not split boots and two shafts of unknown condition from a recent parts car purchase. If can use these axles I do not see any sense in investing the time to install them without putting new boots on first. Mabel (my 1985 ‘Caly’ 300D) is a boot that has split all the way around and the other is looking near. Margaret (my 1985 Federal 300D) has axle boots that are cracked, but not split.

I big picture is that I have three W123’s with axle shafts in need of maintenance and/or replacement. I would like to place for my own ‘axle shaft’ festival and take care of all three. My question I what are member’s recommendations for these axles. Here are what I see as my options and what I see as the pros or cons. Any member wisdom to this would be great.

1. Buy six new axles
+Peace of mind with new axles and new boots
-Big money
-? What do I do with the old axles

2. Buy six rebuilt axles
+Peace of mind with new boots
+Less money than new axle
-How good are rebuilt axles?
-? What do I do with the old axles?

3. Re-booting axles with original type boots
+Less money than new or rebuilt axles
-Risk of putting good money into an axle that may not last long
What is the procedure to replace axles with original style boots? (i.e. Is the axle joint disassembled to replace boot? What is the skill level required?)

4. Re-booting axles with Flexx Boots
+Less money than new or rebuilt axles
+From what I have read Flexx Boots are easy to install
-Purchasing Flexx Boot toll and then not needing it any more
-Risk of putting good money into an axle that may not last long.

tobybul · #2 11-05-2007, 07:43 AM

imho, buy new axles....

..... but do you really want to do all 3 cars right away? are all 3 being driven? don't you want to pace yourself?....theres a thread here where you can get lifetime wty axles from advance auto for $88 ea..... there's also a place that rebuilds them that others swear by for $300+ ea???)....

my 2 cents...

Maxbumpo · #3 11-05-2007, 07:53 AM

The labor and special tool involved in re-booting an axle make that job prohibitively expensive. There is a metal can that is part of the seal, and a special press is needed to make the metal-to-metal seal (although I've heard of one very clever individual who sealed a can with only common hand tools). If you go that route, only do so on an axle which has an original boot that has not begun to leak. If you are serious about it, find an independent MB shop that has the special press and expect to pay for about two hours of labor per axle for a re-booting. If you like to learn new things, you can attempt the job yourself. I was tempted to go that way, bought the kit (which I still have), and realized how much trouble it would be. I found a good used axle for $100 and installed that, drove the car for another 40k miles and then sold it.

If you are curious, I'd be willing to sell you my kit. Send me a private message.

Magoo · #4 11-05-2007, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate300d

4. Re-booting axles with Flexx Boots
+Less money than new or rebuilt axles
+From what I have read Flexx Boots are easy to install
-Purchasing Flexx Boot toll and then not needing it any more
-Risk of putting good money into an axle that may not last long.

At least one person on this forum rents the Flexx tool- do a search.

tobybul · #5 11-05-2007, 09:19 AM

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=200649&highlight=gsp

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=66066&highlight=gsp

Theads above talk about axle replacement

MattBelliveau · #6 11-05-2007, 09:23 AM

I really never understand why anyone would want to go throught the trouble, time, and money to reboot an axle that could be on it's way out anyways. Almost 30k now with no problems.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforu...d.php?t=191042

raslaje · #7 11-05-2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

imho, buy new axles....

..... but do you really want to do all 3 cars right away? are all 3 being driven? don't you want to pace yourself?....theres a thread here where you can get lifetime wty axles from advance auto for $88 ea..... there's also a place that rebuilds them that others swear by for $300+ ea???)....

my 2 cents...

2 half axles from CVJ was $399.70 delivered to my door by UPS. When I returned the old axles they immediately redeposited $100 core charge to my bank account. So total charge was $299.70 plus approx $30 (Federal Express) to ship cores back. UPS wanted about $40, Fed Express $30. Also if you open a FedEx account online you save a couple of bucks.

nate300d · #8 11-05-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBelliveau

I really never understand why anyone would want to go throught the trouble, time, and money to reboot an axle that could be on it's way out anyways. Almost 30k now with no problems.

I believe the reason is that axles are rather expensive and if somehow you are confident that the joints have a ways to go why not.

raslaje · #9 11-05-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate300d

I believe the reason is that axles are rather expensive and if somehow you are confident that the joints have a ways to go why not.

If you go that route you might want to switch the left and right axles around. Someone posted that the wear pattern was different. No personal experience though.

#10 11-05-2007, 06:45 PM

CVJ-Axles.

#11 11-05-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

CVJ-Axles.

Yup.

85 DSEL · #12 11-05-2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Yup.

Ditto!

Diesel911 · #13 11-06-2007, 01:19 AM

My 2 cents
This was my experience: 84 300D Turbo
I needed to replace all 4 boots. I found that the local Kragen Auto parts (Parts America) sold rebuilt Axles with a warranty for $78. The cost of the boot kits (the complete ones with new what I call cans that need to be crimped around the diameter) was going to be around $60 per axle. If I did it myself I would have a lot of labor to do (and I had no band crimping tool for the rubber boots) and NO WARRENTY if the job went badly for me. Buying the rebuilt axles I believed saved me money and a whole lot of labor and I also got the warranty. I don’t see how I could have done better.
Since then I have seen a threads where one of the 2 members claims that they bought BRAND NEW AXLES from Advanced Auto parts (Find the threads for accurate details). (no core to have to pay to mail back.)
I have also myself seen BRAND NEW AXLES made by First Equipment Quality running around $124-$128 from 3 different internet sites. Do a search. The advantage is you do not have to pay the shipping to send back the core.
If I had known about the new axles at the time I had my axle problem I probable would have bought them.
When you look at the auto parts sites be careful as I noticed that they give you a choice of several bands of axles they almost always list the rebuilt ones an the ones that cost more first. Go down the list and read all the fine print.
Also I forgot to say the axles that cost the least are Homokinetic type axles. When you look at this type of axle installed on your car you should see NO bolts/nuts attached to your axle. My car can use either the Homokinetic or the Annular joint type (you will see at least 6 or more bolt/nut head on one side of the axle; I believe on the wheel side) of axle sets. One or the other. Even if you decide to replace the rubber boots you will need to know which type of axles you have as I believe the 2 of the boots are different on the Annular joint axle.

Examples: http://www.***********************/search/?N=11142+1668+4294966765+5637
First Equipment Quality Axle Assembly NEW
1975-1985 Mercedes Benz 300D W0133-1598484 $124.95
Complete 1 (you need 2 per axle) CV boot Kit with CAN 1975-1985 Mercedes Benz 300D W0133-1626142 $57.95
1 CV boot (no clamps) 1975-1985 Mercedes Benz 300D W0133-1637895 $15

JimSmith · #14 11-06-2007, 08:00 AM

Once they make noise the problem is bigger than the rubber boot. They have to be either refurbished or replaced. Jim