That is AWESOME!!!! Thanks! Now I am going to do the wheelbearings and brakes while I am in there as well. Pads are worn and get the rotors turned also... Nothing like a new rear end! Whoot! Kyle
On Jan 13, 2017 10:53 PM, "fmiser via Mercedes" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > Kyle wrote: >> > > Ordered a set, both sides and homokenitic, from CJV in Colorado. >> I will let you know how they are doing in 5 years or so... >> > > Seems like an appropriate time to post my replacement procedure. > Last time I replaced an axle shaft (on a wagon) it took me > less than an hour from putting the jack under the car to the > car back on the ground. Full disclosure - I've done it a few (too > many) times. And I had just done it (the replacement axle shaft > immediately began leaking) so all the bolts were clean and greased. > > Here's my procedure > > * Jack up the car enough to get under to drain the > differential oil. It's a Good Idea (TM) to make sure the > fill plug can be opened before you drain. The higher the > back of the car is jacked up, the less oil will drain out, > so I only jack up the car enough to get to the fill and > drain plugs. > > * While the oil is draining: > > - take off the wheel(s) > > - take off the brake caliper. Yes, it really does need to > come off. I have tried many tricks to avoid it and > always had to take it off. Don't let the caliper hang > by the hose, and try not to twist/stress the hose more > than necessary. > > - remove the bolt that keeps the axle shaft in the wheel > hub and push on the axle shaft to make sure it's loose > in the hub. I have never used a tool like the manual > shows. Occasionally I have had to tap the shaft out, > but it's never been more than just a bit stiff. > > * Once the oil is fully drained, jack up the back of the car > to working height. I like to have the lower shock mount > about 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) off the floor. I get it this > high just to make it easier for me to work under there - > none of the parts install/removal process need the car that > high. > > * Put a jack under the front of the differential (after this > called the "differential jack") and remove the four bolts > that hold the differential mount to the frame. > > * Remove the differential back cover. Lower the differential > a bit with the differential jack will make getting to the > top bolts much easier. This part is especially tricky on a > wagon because the fuel tank and the suspension control > valve conspire to get in the way. Lowering the > differential changes "impossible" to merely "challenging". > The shape of the lip on the differential housing means > little or no oil will run out when the differential cover > is removed. > > * Pull the retainer clip from the axle shaft. I have a piece > of steel wire with the end bent about 95 degrees. The bent > end fits into the hole in the retainer clip. I grip the > other end of the wire with vise grips and pull to remove > the retainer clip. > > * With the differential jack, jack the differential up as > high as it will go. This should mean it runs into the car > body and is just a bit higher than it's normal position. > > * Pull/push the axle shaft out of the wheel hub, slide it > past the hub toward the back of the car, and once that end > is free, pull the other end of the axle shaft out of the > differential. > > Reassembly is pretty much the reverse. > * First, clean the splines in the wheel hub and if necessary, > on the replacement axle shaft. I lightly grease the axle > shaft splines to retard corrosion and make it all slide > together more easily. > > * Put the differential end of the axle shaft into the > differential. > > * Put the wheel end of the axle shaft into the wheel hub. > > * With the differential jack lower the differential. > > * Put the axle shaft retainer clip on in the differential. > Put the wheel hub retainer bolt in and snug it. > > * Put the differential cover on and tighten the bolts to > spec. > > * Using the differential jack, lift the differential so the > differential mount bolts can be put back in. Tighten to > spec. > > * Tighten the axle shaft wheel hub bolt to spec. > > * Put the brake caliper back on. > > * Put the wheel on. > > * Put Mobil 1 differential fluid in the differential. > > * Remove the differential jack. > > * Lower the car to the ground. > > Things not specifically mentioned, but that always apply are: > clean mating surfaces, clean bolt threads, drink beer, look > for worn/missing/damaged other parts nearby, etc. > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
