looks like you nailed it.

The driver side is not yet slinging grease, but its awful wet all around, so both axles turn out to be junk.

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1c728d27.jpg

The passenger axle boots were really hardened rubber, compared to the driver side. what a waste of money these axles turned out to be

In the First Year I got My Car I replaced the Axles with Cardone rebuilt Axles. The Boots lasted somewhere within 3-4 years and started cracking.

The Cardone Axles were rebuilt with Grease.
I one of the threads I believe some one said that they ask CVJ about the Oil Verses Grease issue and CVJ said they used Grease.

When I rebooted the Car Done Axles I left as much of the Original Grease inside as I could and added more and even some in the Boots.

I bet you still have a warranty on this. You might want to try take advantage of this.
http://my.cardone.com/English/Club/Products/Brakes/Warranty/16107WARR%20Caliper-Booster%20Warranty.pdf


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With the Boots that look like the stock Boots you cannot stretch them over the Cans like you can with the Astoria or the Dorman Boots.

To use the Stock Boots on the Axle with the Cans on each end (a Homokinetic Axle)you need to un-crimp one of the the Cans and use a Hydraulic Press to press one of the Spiders off.
When it goes back together you need to restore the Seal around the Can Seam and Crimp over that Seam.

If you have an Annular Axle (has Bolts going through a Housing on one end of the Axles) you can take apart the End with the Bolts and slide the stock type Boots on.

Even if you don't plan to do the job yourself you can look in the DIY and see how it is done.
DIY Repair Links
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/forumdisplay.php?f=82

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/DoItYourSelf

Annular the axle end can be removed to slip on a new boot without stretching it over the can?

I thought it was the same procedure for both annular and homokinetic

the annular axles have a circlip on the differential end, under the plate that's closest to the diff stub. pop off the plate, remove the clip, slide the joint apart, clean the axle shaft, and slide on new boots. no stretching needed...

now... where can I find OE axle boots? MB does not sell them.

Have you considered self-healing silicone tape?

3M Electrical - Product Catalog - US:*Scotch® 70 Self-Fusing Silicone Rubber Electrical Tape, 1 in x 30 ft (25 mm x 9,1 m), 24 per carton

I've seen similar tapes in hardware stores (plumbing isle)

OE? Look right here at our sponsor!

Pelican Parts - Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche & BMW

So far I fitted these on r107, w123, and w126 axles.


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