On 2/8/2011 3:03 PM, Steve Parolin wrote:
I think it was on the earlier cars where there was a right and left axle. As I remember there was a very light thread pattern on the inner hub diameter that was supposed to lead the oil that found its way into the surface of the hub back into the trans.My replacment axles where the same part number for both sides and I could not make out any difference in the originals other then the torn boot on one side leaking on the driveway.
I believe also noted when I ordered the replacments that it said fits both passengers and drivers.
Sounds like you are on your way.
Steve
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, Blaise Colasante <supervee03@...> wrote:
>
> Steve, Autozone here didn't have the 14mm hex but it was available on order from
> Sears. The axles came out of the wheel hubs very easily by hand, I did spray
> some WD-40 in a day before. I've read that the axles are marked right & left but
> I can't see any markings or difference on the replacement axles. I haven't
> pulled the axles out of the differential yet to compare the original equipment.
>
> Blaise
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Steve Parolin <stevenparolin@...>
> To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tue, February 8, 2011 8:18:13 AM
> Subject: [diesel_mercedes] Re: Rear axle/differential work
>
> Â
> I did not do the pinion shaft seal, only the axle seals.
> I was able to get the correct allen socket at Autozone, had to buy a 3 pack as
> they did not have the specific one by itself. I also picked up a big breaker bar
> when I was there as I heard getting the plugs out was tough, but they seemed to
> come out fairly easy for me.
>
> There was no Diff gasket on mine, it did not even look like there was any
> silicon on there, when reassembling it I used some, no leaks yet.
>
> Steve
>
> --- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, Blaise Colasante <supervee03@> wrote:
> >
> > Thanks for the replys to replacing the rear axles. Steve, thanks for the tip on
> >
> > pulling the C-clips and locating additional axle shims. Both will be helpful.
> > Did you replace the differential pinion shaft seal or just the axle seals? I
> > just located my brass drift pin this morning and had to buy a 19mm socket to
> > get the calipers off. Had to fabricate a 14mm hex tool to get the
> >differential
> >
> > plugs out. Every place I looked had up to 10mm and none larger. Torsion bar
> >came
> >
> > off Sat. Tonight/tomorrow I'll drain the differential and try getting the old
> > axles off. I didn't see any information on a differential cover gasket so I
> > guess there isn't one, did you use a sealer when replacing the cover?
> > Thanks again, all. This forum is a great resource. I read all the posts. I'll
> > have to post some pics of the fungus infested diesel fuel I removed from the
> > tank compared to some fresh from the pump fuel.
> > Blaise
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: Steve Parolin <stevenparolin@>
> > To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Mon, February 7, 2011 9:13:52 AM
> > Subject: [diesel_mercedes] Re: Rear axle/differential work
> >
> > ÂÂ
> > You may need to change the axle shims, depending if you use factory or
> > aftermarket axles.
> >
> > If you head to the dealer for them, bring your VIN, they always give me a hard
>
> > time when I show up with out it.
> >
> > When I went to the dealer, they had limited sizes, would have had to order
> >them,
> >
> > and it was going to be iffy if they where thin enough.
> >
> > Based on my calculations, I needed to go from 1mm to 0.5 mm, the thinest the
> > dealer could get was 0.7 mm. Might of worked, but special order, had to wait,
> >no
> >
> > returns...
> >
> > I tried a machine shop, they could not help, but the local auto transmission
> > shop hooked me up for free. I had to hog out the center of the shims a bit to
> > fit over the axle, but again they where free and had them in their misc parts
> > draws.
> >
> > I did the axle seals, the aftermarket ones I got where not as nice as the
> > originals I pulled out, but they are not leaking, so no real complaints yet.
> >
> > To pull the C-Clips and not loose them, I used safty wire and snaked it through
> >
> > the little hole on the tab, then pulled the wire with a pair of pliers. This
> >way
> >
> > the clip did not fall into the diff or go shooting across the garage.
> >
> > I did not have to remove the calipers to get them in or out, very worn subframe
> >
> > mounts (since replaced) may have helped give some exta play to make room.
> >
> > Steve
> >
> > --- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, Alan Boucher <alstheone@> wrote:
> > >
> > > On 2/4/2011 6:48 PM, Blaise Colasante wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Well the time has come to replace the rear axles on my 1983 300D. I
> > > > don't anticipate any major problems getting this job done (that may be
> > > > a problem in itself!!) but I know some of you have done this job in
> > > > the recent past & would appreciate any insights, suggestions or
> > > > cautions you would be willing to share. I am thinking of replacing the
> > > > pinion seal and axle seals in the differential during the axle
> > > > exchange. Did any of you do this while replacing the axles? In reading
> > > > some manuals it was noted that getting the differential reinstalled
> > > > was a bit of a headache. Again any advice or commentary would be
> > > > greatly appreciated. I've just reinstalled my squeaky clean fuel tank
> > > > fresh back from a boil out at the radiator shop... that should take
> > > > care of the nasty fungus problem I had!! Also replaced the entire
> > > > metal fuel & brake lines that had nearly rusted through as they passed
> > > > over the rear control arms and in several of the rubber mounts.
> > > >
> > > > TIA,
> > > >
> > > > Blaise
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > Definitely replace the axle seals since you'll be pulling the axles
> > > anyway. I didn't replace the pinion seal because I didn't see any signs
> > > of leakage. Maybe someone else has done it and can comment on the
> > > procedure.
> > >
> >
>
