81-240 D axles
 

Getting parts gathered to do my rear diff swap and was looking at part here on Pelican, going to get new output seals but also my search pulled up this part number 407-33-003-INT, complete axle shaft assemblies for basically $55.00 each...assuming Pelican wouldn't sell junk ...right....:confused::confused:

I was looking at doing the boot kits but fighting those all over the driveway was going to be fun...so...anybody have any experience with these complete shafts...I'm VERY skeptical of them do to the "get what you pay for thing" but I want to trust Pelican on not offering..shall we say..substandard parts....

I bought Cardone axles off of rock auto for about the same price - they've only been installed a few months but they looked alright when they went in. Also put in some DSS axles from auto house Aye Zee (about twice this price) back in the summer - I had to remove one trailing arm bolt to get them in because they didn't articulate quite as far as the originals, but they're holding up fine so far.

Were they Cardon Rebuilt Axles or Cardon New Axles?

The Cardon Rebuilt Axles are original Mercedes Axles. I had them on mine and after 5 years the boots started to crack (not cracked through to the inside) and I re-booted them myself.

The ones on that rock place are Remans..says so right in the description...

Take a look at CVJ axles.

Yup.. Sent them an email also

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Could you explain what that means?

It usually takes a special tool to install the boots, I should say to Strech them over the cans.. I don't have that tool so I was assuming I would be "fighting them all over the driveway" putting them on.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

I've used the manual tool to stretch the new boots over/on, it was not easy.

I've done them on VW stuff but nothing like these cans.. I can only imagine...

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

I have an Astoria Rapid Flexx Gun in you need it. Band crimper, too.

Where are you located??

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

If your axle looks like the one in the pic on the differential end you don't need to stretch the boots.

To use the Astoria Flexx Gun boot spreader you need access to compressed air.

Drive Axle Boot R&R
 

Just for fun, look up ATF funnel boot replacement on you tube .

I don't see how it works but apparently it's do - able .

I look for annular axles in the junk yards, buy them and re boot, not difficult, just messy and like all important jobs, fiddly if you want it to last .

FWIW, I use original Mercedes boots from the Classic Center, not terribly $pendy, I just have to budget for them .

I like Nate's method. The original bearings are probably lifetime parts if the boots are kept intact. OTOH buying new cheap parts may be a lot less labor but may not last as long. I suspect money wise it would be a wash if hiring the work done, but a person on a budget would probably come out ahead using Nate's method and mb parts.