Disassembling rear axle to replace boot.

[twistedtree]

I have my axle assembly out of the car, and just want to double check the steps to disassemble it to replace the swing axle boot.  I think I need to:

- Remove the right axle shaft.
- Remove the compensator spring
- Remove the hinge pin and pull back the axle tube
- Then install the new boot while putting it all back together again.

Is that right?

[stickandrudderman]

That's about it!

[twistedtree]

Thanks.

Is it not possible (or just a really bad idea) to leave the axle shaft installed, and separate both the axle shaft and axle tube from the pumpkin as one assembly?  The BBB says to pull the shaft, but sometimes it's written assuming you are doing a complete teardown rather than just a spot repair.

[MikeSimon]

Years ago (many years while still in Germany) the MB dealer replaced the boot on my car and they used a split boot. No disassembly required. Still works.

[clunker]

To fit the full (not split) boot, the right axle shaft has to be removed and to remove that you need to remove the hinge pin.

[twistedtree]

To fit the full (not split) boot, the right axle shaft has to be removed and to remove that you need to remove the hinge pin.

Just for clarity, there is the axle tube over which the boot fits.  Then inside the tube is the axle shaft that rotates and turns the wheel.

The hinge pin needs to be removed to remove the axle tube.  No doubt about that.   What I'm trying to understand is whether I need to first remove the axle shaft and then remove the tube.  Or can I leave the axle shaft and tube assembled, remove the hinge pin, and pull the axle shaft and tube off as an intact assembly.

Hopefully that's clearer.

[twistedtree]

Years ago (many years while still in Germany) the MB dealer replaced the boot on my car and they used a split boot. No disassembly required. Still works.

Correct.  There is a split boot available, but it's a nightmare to install, and still has a reasonable chance of leaking creating a second nightmare.  See this thread for my last experience going down that path.  https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=31197.msg226360#msg226360

This time I decided to drop the rear end and disassemble to replace with a solid (non-split) boot.  It may end up just being a different nightmare than the last one - we will see.  But Stickandrudderman's comment stuck with me that taking the long route to fix it right is actually the short route in the long run.  So that's the way I'm going this time.  Stay tuned and we will see how it turns out.

[Peter]

My experience with the split boot is very positive, but you need to use the right materials.
Order the split boot with the right clamps and use “Goop automotive” glue which is heat and oil resistant and stays flexible.

[MikeSimon]

My experience with the split boot is very positive, but you need to use the right materials.
Order the split boot with the right clamps and use “Goop automotive” glue which is heat and oil resistant and stays flexible.

As I said, mine was done by "Schneider Mercedes Benz" in Rüsselsheim in 1986. They most certainly did it the right way and I did have no nightmares to install it.

[twistedtree]

And the answer is....... Yes, you can separate the right axle shaft and axle tube from the pumpkin as an intact assembly.  The whole thing pulls right off.  No need to disassemble the brakes, wheel hub, and pull the axle shaft separately.  Tomorrow I'll see if it goes back together as easily as it came apart..

Hopefully this will save others some work down the road.

[clunker]

Thanks Peter - this is helpful information - the trade-off of full vs split boot is certainly improved by this saving in effort.

[twistedtree]

If replacing the boot was the ONLY repair that was needed, I might suffer through installing a split boot again.  In this instance I'm also replacing all the rubber bushings/buffers, shocks, and brake hoses.  So I'm tearing most of it apart either way.  It's just a question of whether I disconnect and replace things one at a time with the axle in place, or drop the axle and do it all on the floor in open space.  So far I think this was the right choice to drop the axle, and at that point it's a small extra job to separate the two halves and install a proper boot that you KNOW will not leak, vs the risk of leaks with a split boot..

[stickandrudderman]

I presume you will be installing a new pivot bush whilst you're at it? (1103501275) and will pay attention to the correct assembly details.

[twistedtree]

I have the BBB, so following that.  Any particular tips or cautions?  My parts are delayed a day, so I'm stalled for now.

[stickandrudderman]

You need to find the tech details for installing that bush. I have a jig which I use.