axle boot, how urgent?
 

For some reason I felt like taking a quick look under the back of the car (300D 206K). The passenger side (around the axle) was coated with oil. The inner boot was torn.
Is this a problem that will get more exspensive with time, the tax refund is on the way but I still need to get around.

Needs to be fixed immediately if you want to save that axle.

It will be destroyed within a few hundred miles.

Unfortunately the boot by itself is not easily replaceable on a W123/W126 car.

Ken300D

Take a close look at the dirt and grime that has accumulated in the underside of the vehicle, especially near the axle...that's what will penetrate the bearings that the axle boot is supposed to protect. :eek:

Needless to say, prolonged exposure to such coarse sediments will ruin precision bearings in short order!

There are some universal kits available that will allow you to just cut off the old boot and fit a new one without removing the axle...has fasteners along one side of the boot perimeter and a radiator hose clamp-type fastener surrounding the boot area.

I've used these on my VW without problems...you might be able to find the kit in a local well-equipped auto store...

Yes, I think that's what I would try if the situation came up for me again, and I caught it early.

The Cosmo split boot kit is available from J.C.Whitney.

Newer axle designs have bolts to take apart the joint covers. On the W123/W126 cars the CV joint covers are crimped with a special, high-value, Mercedes tool rig. Therein lies the difficulty.

A search through the archives here should reveal lots of posts, because its a common problem with all these cars approching and passing 20 years in age.

Ken300D

Thanks for the replys. My mechanic recommends replacing the whole thing due to its age.
If I can get away with just fixing the boot that might be worth it.

Also you should be aware that there is a specified amount of some kind of gear or bearing lubricant that should be put into the replacement split boot after it's glue is dry. (I understand some kind of glue is used along the split).

Not sure what kind of lubricant but I know its more of an oil than a grease.

So once you get the boot on there, glued and cured, you need to get lubricant in there and then tighten up the hose clamps.

Good luck,

Ken300D