I purchased a 1981 240D 4 speed manual back when I still worked. Used the car daily driving from home (Fayetteville NC )to Raleigh, about 70 miles one-way. I did my own oil , oil filter, fuel filters change, glow plug replacement, water pump, adjustment of the valves. Other things I left at different shops here in town to fix/replace such as new air pump, brakes, new tires, etc.

A few weeks ago, I took a good look at the boots on the axle. No tears, but they need replacing before they bust. Looks like the orginial boots to me. Anyway they need replacing.

Because I now have the time, and most of the tools, I plan to move my 240d into the small gargage and my wife's Escape into the driveway.

I plan to order inner and outer boots for both left and right axle. After reading a lot of different posts, I am leaning towards taking the axles and new boots to a local MB indy and let them put the boots on.

If I run into trouble, I am very sure you fellow MB owners will be more then willing to point the way for me. I plan to follow this thread http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123RearAxles.

This will me my very first major project so I am a little bit concerned of starting something that I will not beable to finish. but, will cross this bridge when I get there.

Any comments from those who have replaced their axles will be greatly valued.

Bob Kerstetter
1981 240D
Manual

It's pretty straight forward. Have a pry bar handy to wedge the axle out. If you have one ready you won't need it! Something about Murphy's law.
I would be more worried about kicking your wife's car out of the garage. You're treading on thin ice there. Go easy and be quick, she WILL use this against you at a later date. You have been warned. Have Fun.

Those boots go for many miles and will generally last the life of the car, cracks and all. I would seriously look for a more needy "first big project".

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

This is the first time I have tried to attach photos,so I hope everything works.
Question I have is what will be the best type of boot to purchase?
Bob

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After much reading, I beleive I have Annular axles. If this is true, then I do not have to open up the rear end. Is my thinking correct?

Bob

Correct, Annular axles are a piece of cake.
Remove the bolt in the end of the hub, 13mm. remove the 6 bolts that hold the 2 halves together, 8mm I believe.
push axle towards the hub, drop it down, and pull out.

might have to use a brass drift and hammer to get it to move out of the splines.
reach under and hold it with one hand while tapping on the drift. and she should slide right out.

from the pictures your boots don`t look all that bad. the first picture, don`t know if that is a crack, or just a loose piece of rubber flaking off on the left side.


The DIY you linked to, the old axles are Homokenetic and replaced with Annular.


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Seriously those boots look very good! Much better than mine. I would not touch them. I never change them until they leak.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The car was up on a lift back a few weeks ago, for tires. I looked at these boots, and the mechanic showed me where the boots are dry rotted. I am just trying to fix things before they break. Easier to fix before than after. Also, need something to do, first since 1967 I have time to do things I want. This is a side benefit of retirement.

Bob

Retirement, ain`t it great? the 30th will be 4 yrs for me .

Now Iam just a Bum, hanging out here and there. some times in front of the computer, sometimes asleep in front of the computer. sometimes hanging out at PNP, and hanging out under the car ZZZZZZZ. and other times, just hanging out

Now you will find things to do to the car you didn`t know needed to be done, even if they didn`t need to be done. and other times just invent things to do, just because you can.

Enjoy it.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I now have the 4 boots, two outer I got from Advance Auto - Dorman.
And two inter from Peach Parts - Febi.
Since this is the very first time, I have undertaken this project of installing new boots, I open up the boxes and took pictures of each type.

the Dorman, came with the boot, grease and clamps.
The Febi, came with the bolts, bolt retainer (?), clamps, grease and two ?? parts.

In the Febi picture, what is the function of the two parts in the upper left hand corner. I already have the Annular axles, will not have to pull the axles from the differental.

Bob
1981 240D

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