MB doesn't sell the boots and doesn't sell the CV joint.
The only available axle cost $1200 couple years ago.
Ask me how do I know?
Inspect CV joint and if it is OK you can get universal boot for about $15.
If you need axle -I have used one with good outer boot.

 

Mercedes Benz sales the CV boot as a OEM kit including special CV Lubricant. They are around $75.00 per axle. It is about 2 hrs of work per axle and messy DIY.
A kit for one axle contains one each inner and outer boots, clamps and three bags of lubricant.
If the joints are ok I would recommend replacing the boots only.
Just call your Mercedes Benz Parts department and ask for a w210 4matic CV boot kit.

 

Hey, MAE320.

Lots of things can cause them to tear, it sounds like you caught it right away which is key to preserving the joint.

You might contact The CV Man he sells boots, universal boots and split boot kits. I've never heard of anyone using the latter on a benz but I've used them on lots of other cars to good effect. They aren't a "permanent" fix and must be inspected regularly and renewed every couple of years but they're cheap and easy to install and will protect the joint from dirt and keep grease in the joint as well.

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

 

I have had 3 axles rebuilt for ca. $100 for each joint at Dependable Driveshaft, Clearwater, FL. They will disassemble, clean, re-grease and install new boots for ca. $35.00. Their procedure is to clean and inspect joints for damage. The later case would be where a rebuilt would be required. I live 50 miles from Clearwater. I removed the front axles, drove to Clearwater and was in by 12:00 and out by 5:00. I may be behooving to FEDX or UPS the axles and let them take care of it. Best Regard

 

I am attaching four pictures of instructions how to replace the boots.

 

Thank you guys for all of your replies! gregs I also think I caught this on time as last Sunday I did my oil change and they looked fine.

ozcan you are right on point. I called the dealer minutes before they close and they confirmed what you said. $60/axle after 20% discount if ordered by a registered mechanic.

Needless to say I also contacted my mechanic who quoted $200 labor for both axles. It will go in the shop Friday .... . I will let you know the outcome.

Thank you again!

 

Just make sure he has special tool for bending the clamps properly when installing back. Also when you get the car inspect the boots carefully that there is no holes punched accidentally on the boots during installation. The axle is somewhat heavy and mechanic may accidentally hit it and punch small holes in the boots during installation. I have heard this happened to my friends.
Last thing; Replace the entire boots while you are at it.
Good luck.

 

Warning. sort of thread hijack. the car i am looking at purchasing has this issue. Is there any problem driving it 800 miles with a torn boot?

 

Torn boot will let the grease out and dirt and sand in. That will destroy CV joint, immobilizing the car.
If the CV joint is good, you can easily install split boot and than worry about putting better one at home.

I'm willing to bet that if it is torn, it's been torn for a while and the damage is already done: split boot or no, you're on the road to a replacement axle. Unless the car is otherwise immaculate and the price is so good you can't refuse (and reflects the damaged boot/joint) then I'd keep looking.

 

Torn boot will let the grease out and dirt and sand in. That will destroy CV joint, immobilizing the car.
If the CV joint is good, you can easily install split boot and than worry about putting better one at home.

 

Go under the car and stick your finger thru the thorn boots and see if there is lubricant inside. Also carefully check if the lubricant contains dust particles by examining. If you don't hear clicking, grinding sound when you make sharp turns your axle is good to go. Also while you are under the car hold the axle with good grip and twist both ways to see if there is any play. There should not be any play.
Usually there is enough lubricant left in the cv's. As Gregs210 wrote it must have happened a while ago. But don't loose your hopes. As long as the car hasn't been driven or raced on dirt roads you are fine. Insert some more CV lubricant and drive and as soon as you get to your destination replace them.
Good luck.

 

I had the car inspected by the MB dealer and they noted the boot tear and suggested replacement. Their quote was appx. $1000. I would rather drive it back here and have my indy do it instead.

 

But, I also don't want to get stuck in the middle of Nevada...

 

Don't you worry. You'll find some kind of gambling even on Nevada desert.
CV joints can be tricky. Mine had the boot in perfect shape, but was making lot of noise on sharp turns. I drove with it close to 1000 miles. No play, so for some time I was suspecting front differential, but when differential oil show clean, We took the CV joint apart.

 

$1000 is pretty high. Is that just for 2 boot kits and the labor to replace them? That sounds about right if they are replacing one 1/2 axle at the price Kajtek1 was quoted earlier.

 

898.15 to be precise. just for left front axel boot replacement.

 

Then it sounds like they think you are in a pinch and have no alternative. If it takes them 6 hours for what a good mechanic can do in 2, as ozcan just wrote, there is something wrong with that picture.

 

Their labor rate is $150 per hour. Note that the dealer is not the same entity selling me the vehicle. I just hired them for a PPI. They are identifying issues that could affect my drive. But, I'm sure they wouldn't mind doing the repair.

 

$900 is about right, seems to be a standard quote from MB Stealerships. I ordered the parts on Monday from autopartsworld.com and they arrived today - $100 for 2 kits. Car is in the shop as we speak. Mechanic was nice enough to suggest changing the front rotors, pads (about time) and he would not charge for labor as they do come off in the process. He quoted $200 prior to starting the job, however I asked him to change the inner boots as well. We'll see how much but definitely not $900 .

 

I'm heading to San Jose tomorrow to look at the car. keeping fingers crossed.

 

Good luck MAE320 and alexnatt.
Keep us informed.

 

Bought it and drove home 800 miles. Car performed flawlessly. No problem with the axle boot although I will replace it. 80mph and 24.5 mpg. Needs rear brakes badly though. I used the manual tranny to keep my speed in check going down Donner Summit. Fun ride. My wife and I just got finished detailing the interior. Kids and white dogs do a job on a black interior.

 

Just as we thought. I am glad nothing happened. Now you need to replace the boots asap!

 

Boots, brakes, and oil change on Monday. Here is it with its stablemates.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd-sdl-class/1381451-added-3rd-benz.html

 

Nice ride. Let us know how it went.

 

Left Outer Boot is Totally shot...

Will need to look into that ASAP. Is this the right boot? I found it at autohausaz

Your Parts Search Returned 1 Part(s)

BTW it is the front left outer boot. Also, ozcan, what is this special tool for the clips you speak of? I see this on the site

 

This picture is not front outer nor inner boot. It looks like it is a rear axle boot.
Neither inner nor outer boots for front axle looks like that picture you posted.
I would recommend you buy the boots from Mercedes Benz dealer. They sell them as a kit. A kit has an inner and outer boot, three bags of CV lubricant and 4 clamps.
A kit is around $70.00
I would also recommend you replace both front axles inner and outer boots while you are at it.
Attached drawing shows how the boots look.

 

Thanks for the info ozcan. The schematics will be very helpful.

UPDATE: Had the job done (replace front left boots) for $319 by a local indy. Is that a fair price? BTW the book said 3 hours labor, the mechanic did it in less than 2 yet they still charged for 3. The shop would not budge. Standard practice?

 

Picture

This is a picture I took from a kit I bought from Autohaus AZ. This is for one wheel (axle).

Cheers

 

Yes, those are the right boots for one axle. Complete with clamps and lubrication.
One on the right is the inner and the left one is outter boot.