w201-w210 rear axles NEED SERVICING!!!
 

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/348451-ok-w124-rear-bearings-bear-replace.html

the tail end of this thread, I have issues with the axles on the car.

I find that even axles with zero traces of rust externally. with fine looking boots, have severe corrosion on the axle shaft under the boot.

EVERYBODY needs to get their axles opened up and cleaned of rust, and rebooted with extra grease...

For the click-lazy here are the pictures that John posted in the thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...e-imag0985.jpg

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...e-imag0986.jpg

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...e-imag0987.jpg

I'll be pulling mine apart this week so I'll show what I find

Well I'm alright Jack!
 

I had time this morning to have a quick butchers at mine. Here they are =>

1992 W201 axles

Quite rusty on the outside but OK within

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1389608258

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1389608258

If you happen to have a multi-tool thang (Dremmel for example - other options such as Proxxon are available!) then you can cut through the clips with ease - no nasty sliding screwdrivers stabbing into your hand etc

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1389608258

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1389608258

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1389608258

You can then slide the boots along the axle shaft to check (if you wish)

'Cos I'm keen I've spread the word here too =>

Possible future W201 / W124 / W210 axle problems? - Mercedes-Benz Forum

So you've led us along on how to inspect behind the boots, now how much and type of grease goes back? We've all read the horror stories of folks re-booting axles. Do these boots slide right back into place? Where are the replacement bands obtained and how are they secured?

This is not up to your normal level of detail......

I stock and use Astoria Flexx boots. they are a very pliable rubber that can stretch over the outer joints with an expansion tool, or funnel... they come with axle grease (not enough for an entire joint though) and stainless steel crimp rings. I also have extra crimp rings, and tons of left over grease, since I primarily use 74W140 synthetic oil in the 123/126 axles.
any auto parts store should stock CV joint grease, and the crimp rings. they could also be sourced on ebay I'm sure. the crimp pliers are not pricey at all... around 20.00

Oh deary me! 0/10 - could do better!

FSM says 100g of special long term Mercedes goo per joint.

If you were to clean up your original (uncracked unsplit undamaged) boots with aerospace101 or such like you could probably put another 5 plus years (guessing!) on them.

Sliding them on and off the axle shaft like shown above is exactly what you'd do if you were rebuilding / re-booting with OE axle boots.

I reckon you could do this with the axles on the car.

Other methods of boot clip removal do exist! A bolt cutter would also work quite well (worked well on my W123 axle boot clips) - though under a car there's not so much room if you don't have a lift...


...as for the good grease - that black goo does seem to come in different qualities. The stuff fitted to MOOG tie rod joints for example seems to be of particularly poor quality to me as it doesn't stick too well to metal. I've got several large tubs of Kroon Oil black axle grease - not commonly found outside of the Benelux countries though. Pick a good brand of axle grease and it should be good enough.

I would not try to slide the boots back into place unless they are very soft and pliable and crack free.

@John - sorry for the thread jack - I got all excited...

...slap my wrists...

clip removal for me is a pair of sheet metal snips wriggled into the crimp and twisted to uncrimp it.

needle nose pliers would also work, as would the cutoff tool, etc...

Pish Posh. all are welcome to add to the discussion on this subject!

a thread jack would be to start talking about window regulators or some such!:D

also... I'd NEVER attempt to open up an axle that had that much crud on it!!!

I remove all crud, and clean the boots and axles prior to removing the rings. ANY dirt in there leads to rapid wear on the joints!

here's a better one that I've found from the 1/2 dozen or so I opened up last night...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...g-imag1010.jpg

Well I try not to tread on toes...


...but now you mention it I was wondering about W201 door locks...

I just had a few minutes this morning to whip my boots off (die with your boots on if you're gonna die?) and check for rust as I'd seen some second hand ones going cheap recently. My axles are going to get rebuilt anyway - particularly as I know they're not rusty on the inside (which is a relief).

That's a better one?

Oh my...