SamIAM & Ray,

It just occured to me, if I replace the shocks or even remove the topmost shock bolts; I'll need to see a professional for a 4-wheel alignment?

There is no way I can "eyeball" the camber, caster and all that other alignment mumbo-jumbo.

Many thanks in advance,....

are no adjustments to the rear of a benz.

on the original poster, are you sure the half shafts need replacing? the price quoted is not the price an honest shop would charge. the boots on the half shafts are quite thick and can have a lot of superficial cracks and not leak. if they are not leaking, no worries. as long as the shafts are not loose.

tom w

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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.

Hi there,
I did this exact same job on my '82 300D/4.3 a couple weeks ago, and it is a very straightforward process. The only thing I had trouble with was that I could NOT remove the fill plug no matter what I did! I eventually removed the cover, drilled and tapped another hole for a 1/4" pipe plug and used that one to fill the differential. On my vehicle, the outer axle and inner axle shafts came out easily after lowering the differential and positioning it to the other side of the car as far as it would go. The inner shaft actually came out easier than the outer shaft, as it was very well lubed, while the outer shaft splines were a bit dry. I had access to a car lift and transmission jack, which greatly simplified the job. The same boot was split on my car, all the other ones looked fine.

Regards,
Richard Wooldridge
'82 300D/4.3L Astro V6 engine & Trans.

I'll reiterate,

Hit the fill plug squarely with a 1 to 2 lb ball peen hammer. One or two good wacks and it will easily comeout. The hit will break the bond of time and chemcial... what ever- it works.


Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

Gents,

I've stopped for the evening on replacing the axle shafts. So far, I've got the diffy drained, unmounted, and opened. The upper shock bolts are loosend and the long bolt holds the wheel to the shaft has been removed. Its taken about 6 hrs for me to get this far. The serious business is about to begin...

Just one quick question.... whats the best way to get the circle lock clips off the axle shaft inside the differential? The ends of the circle clip are clearly visible and I've tried to pop it off using a screwdriver combined with a rubber mallet.

Just one more thing.... my 240 D seems to have some kind of torsion bar, should I just unbolt the bar from the wheel linkage assembly or should I not mess around with this?

Many thanks,

Butch

Unbolt the torsion bars from the wheel side mounts.

Use a needle nose vise-grip or stiff wire hook to pull out the retaining clip.

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AJ
82 300D
81 240D
76 450SE
86 300SDL

I lost an axle out of town once..

Used a cotter pin puller (90 degree tool with a point) to pull the C-clip. The clip has a tab with a hole. You can grab the tab with needle nose vice grips or.. Don't loose the clip! They can fly off and searching the shop floor is a pain! Goes double for installation=0)


Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E