[peteinmissionviejo]

Using my Haynes manual I've got one axle out and have got the new one almost back in. I reversed the taking out procedure installing the differential side first and I'm finding I am hanging up on the wheel side by about 1/8 inch. I jacked up the diff but I'm wondering if reversing the taking apart procedure meant putting in the wheel side first. This is on a 84 300 d. I'm new to this forum and this Mercedes is new to me. The boots were shreded on the old axle assemblies. Yes - I did try the search function first. If anyone could advise if it's best to reinstall putting in the diff side first or wheel side first that would be great. Any other helpful tricks to this job would be appreciated.
Thanks
Pete

 

[300Dman]

When I did mine I inserted the Axle in the Differential first. Also there may be metal Spacers/Washers that go between the Axle and the Differential with wich the Retining Clip should go in without too much problem but ounce the Retaining Clip is installed there should be no detectable in and out play of the Axle in the Differential.

When I went to install the part of the Axle that goes through the Wheel Hub I had to do some moving up and down of the Differential (my Rear Trailing Arm was hanging free).
But, I still had to compress the Axle; shove it into itself to to make it short enough to reach the Hole. The caution here is you do not want to tear your new Axle Boots so compress it carefully.

Somewhere in these repair links you will find a proceedure on the Axles.
Repair Links
DIY Links by Parts Category - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

PeachPartsWiki: Do It Yourself Articles - Mercedes Vehicles

If you plan on keeping your car for a long time you might consider buying the Factory Service Manual 2 CD set. It covers the complete Car back to front with the exception of turbo and transmission rebuilding and it does not have the front end alighment specs.
The cost (in the US) is $19.99+$7 shipping. (The money saved on a few repairs pays for the manual.)

Classic Technical Literature

 

[kiteoregon]

Pete, where did you get your new axle from, and what was the cost?

 

[peteinmissionviejo]

axle assembly sources

I got the axles on E Bay. If you go to auction number 32043919211. They were $65 per and shipping for two was $25. The seller is apxautoparts and their phone as listed on my order details is: 910 653 7101. They are discribed as and appear to be new and there is no core charge. There were some FEQ ones listed at several vendors at about the same price but they are not available. I can't really tell you if they will now last 100,000 + miles but they have got to be better than the knocking ones with shredded boots that are on the car now.

 

[300Dman]

If you buy the Asian made Annular Axles (one end of the Axle will have 5-6 Bolts going through it) users have been reporting the Nuts come off of the Bolts.
I would suggest removing the nuts one at time and re-installing them with Loctite Thread Lock type compound.

Others have reported that the machined radius on the Differential End of the Axle is too fat to allow the stock Spacers to slide up against the Axle Face.
Some solved this my modifying the Spacers.

Some have had problems with the shaft area where the Retaining Clip goes.

Some have had problems with the Splined end that goes throgh the Rear Wheel Hub not fitting into the Hub.

 

[peteinmissionviejo]

still can't get wheel side to fit

I've raised and lowered the diff and raised and lowered the trailing are - took off the shock to get more play, compacted the axle, and stretched it out so it would bend and I'm not finding the last 1/8 inch. I don't want to go to bfh technology so I think I'll loosen the four nuts holding the diff to the car so I can swivel the front a bit. I've measured the new axle to the old and they are the same length. Anybody had to loosen the diff to get their axle in?

 

[sokoloff]

Just did the left side on my 240D and it was tricky getting it in place. Had to wiggle, twist, turn to get it to slip into place, but it eventually did without having to remove anything. I may have had to do some fiddling with the jack and change the height of things, but it did eventually go in.

 

[peteinmissionviejo]

Figured out the problem - bad axle

After raising the diff, disengaging the shock, jacked the trailing are down I got the axle in. When I turned at the rotor/hub they didn't turn together bunching the boots. I looked at the old thrashed axle and found there is a splined end inside the boot at the inboard or diff side that meshes with another piece that swivels on large ball bearings. The new axle was shipped with these pieces disengaged so it wouldn't compress. I'll see how the vendor takes care of me replacing the defective axle. No problem installing the good axle. What a pita and waste of time.

 

[winmutt]

Ya you get what you pay for with cheap axles. I have a number of threads on them. My old theory was junkyard finds and when my current chinese crap goes that is what I am going back to.

 

[areusche]

I just did this repair a week ago and I didn't have to take out the shocks to do this job.

Basically once you get the axle into the differential I put the c-clip back onto the axle. Then I raised the differential up to get the other side of the axle into the wheel hub.

It takes a LOT of messing around with to get them into the hubs. Basically when I was pushing it in I had to push the boot down and then pull inward. The motion of pulling inward made the axle go back up so I had to push it back down. Eventually I got it in

I know those cheap axles are tempting to buy, but consider buying rebuilt axles from CVJ denver. CVJ Axles - Remanufactured Axles & Power Racks

Call and ask them for a quote. I've had them on for about 500 miles and no problem as of yet :thumbsup: