Newbie just learning here. I keep reading how its easier/better to replace the axle if the boots are cracked instead of replacing just the boots. My rear passenger side boot (on my w123) is horribly cracked and well, being a student I don't have the 500 bucks my mechanic is gonna charge to replace the axle. I certainly can't do it myself! So how awful is it if I keep driving on it? It is not making any noises or showing any other signs of ill health. Is there anything else I can do about it? Or should I start stripping for extra cash, or am I pretty much ok for now?

Thanks in adavance!

*dreya

 

If you are reasonable handy then you can do what I did. I put a split cv boot in for $20. I have done 13000 miles on the split joint without trouble.See my reply to '84 300SD CV joint'. To do a good job then you really need to replace it with a rebuilt or OEM half shaft.

I am not aMBZ mechanic but I think you can drive the car until the joint dis-integrated completely. It is a rear axle drive and the car would just stop as the differential will just keep spinning. Someone can correct me if I am wrong.

 

OK great. I will look into that. Thanks!

 

Actually, it is fairly easy to replace the cracked boot with the OEM style boot if you are willing to spend just a bit more of your time working on the car. I've never had good luck with the split boots and they always end up leaking grease right at the split. Plus, if one is already torn that badly then the others cannot be far behind.

You'll have to disconnect the axle shaft from the car and do the work onyour workbench. After the axle shaft is removed cut the boot retaining clips off with a pair of side cutters and slide what remains of the boots back onto the axle shaft. Clean as much grease out of the joints as you can and use circlip pliers to release the CV joints from the axle shaft. Remove the torn boots and discard them. Clean the axle well and slide the new boots into position. Don't forget to put the inner axle shaft squeeze clamps loosely into position before sliding the boots onto the shaft!

Clean the CV joints well with a solvent like minteral spirits and dry them with compressed air. Lube them well with a good German CV joint grease such as Lobro. Slide the joints back onto the axle shaft and make sure the circlips are secure. Move the new boots into position. Secure the axle shaft end of the boots with the retaining clamps. Squirt 50% of the remaining Lobro grease into each of the boots. Secure the remaining ends of the boots with the retaining clamps. You're done with one side.

Put the axle back and repeat for the other side of the differential.

 

SOUNDS simple enough and I know Dieselgiant has a video on that. I guess always replacing the axle with the bootis just a "while you are down there you might as well for good measure" type thing? I am probably going to hold off a little bit and weigh my options, etc.Being new at this I want to make sure I don't get into anything that's over my head and hurt mygreat car in the process.But this is all very good to know. I have more thinking to do...Thanks so much for the info!

 

Well, we're here to help too. For what it's worth I always considered those split boots to be a cheapo Band-Aid fix. As a great mechanic friend once told me " If you don't take the time to do it right the first time you'll be forced to find time to do it again." Words to live by - not only for a mechanic.