Thanks Nate,
"FWIW, you _can_ drive a W123 until the joint is hammering away like the Jolly Green Giant is hitting the bottom of your car as you drive ~ I don't recommend this but two of my W123's came to me this way and I didn't have the $ nor the ability to stop driving.... whew ."
I did this 5yrs ago, hammering from the Grapevine to Merced, before I had that axle changed there. Didn't think it would make it up the grade.
I'm thinking on the lines with you, getting some homeokinetic axles, though I'll check reviews and warranties. Right now, it's not making much noise, so I have a bit of time to find a good axle. Not sure if I want to go to the local PAP this weekend, maybe when it cools down.
I'll also see if I can find a CARDONE at a better price, or no core.
Thanks
Rob
I've been searching for the later, homeokinetic axles in junkyards, then I re boot them with factory boots from The Classic Center .
Of course, I didn't think to begin looking back when every junkyard was full of W123's, W115's & R107's (all fit back to 1968) so they're getting hard to find now .
The second link Summit Racing ones are CARDONE, a good brand -but- they want a $60 core charge you'll have to pay the outgoing freight on plus they say can't ship until a MONTH FROM NOW making it a no go .
The third link is for new, presumably Chinese ones, decent price, Performance Parts used to be here in So. Cal. moved to TEXAS to join a large collector car group .
The fourth link is only a happy talk sales link, no prices given .
I recently found a pair of the original typ Chinese ones in Pick-A-Part and plan to install them soon just to see how long they last .
Some have purchased cheapo silicone boots (*very* stretchy) and used an Auto Tranny Fluid funnel over the end of the joint to force them on, if thise works it'd be great for a quiet joint with bad boots , I think you should get rid of this noisy one ASAP .
FWIW, you _can_ drive a W123 until the joint is hammering away like the Jolly Green Giant is hitting the bottom of your car as you drive ~ I don't recommend this but two of my W123's came to me this way and I didn't have the $ nor the ability to stop driving.... whew .
I'm pretty sure I dodged a bullet on those ones, if you've ever seen what occurs when a drive shaft or drive axle lets go whilst underway .
Let us know your solution .
FWIW, the Chinese ones don't come with the thin metal shims on the inner threaded end, you're supposed to gently pry them off your old axles, Ma Benz no longer sells them .
-Nate
Rob wrote :
Does anyone have any axle recommendations?
I had one of mine replaced at a shop over a year ago (drivers side), and
it seems messed up, I think out of warranty, maybe not. The previous
replacement on the (pass side) is 5yrs old and fine.
I heard some strange sound from the drive train, so didn't drive it for
most of the week, and raised it up, checked bolts, flex disks, and other
parts, along with fluids. The only thing that stood out was this axle.
Engine sounds great, just a light groaning/ vibration from underneath
while driving, first at startup, and later throughout my drive to work.
I'd like to just get a good one, or pair.
Even if the axle isn't causing the noise, it's not right.
Thanks
Rob
'85 MB 300D
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Here's a few I was looking at:
http://www.mercedesautoworks.com/Drive%20line%20123%20new.htm https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aaz-60-9022/applications/model/300d/year/1985/engine-family/mercedes-benz-diesel-5-cylinder https://ppembzparts.com/i-30503846-mercedes-axle-shaft-1966-1985.html#!year%3D1985%7C%7Cmake%3DMERCEDES-BENZ%7C%7Cmodel%3D300D
https://www.cvjreman.com/mercedes/ Pick a Part
or ebay
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