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Brent
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: SW Colorado USA
Vehicle(s): '13 Wolfsburg GTI
Posts: 1754
| Re: Front Axle
Braingears - 9/7/2011 3:34 PM
It's one thing to find someone that can do it. It's another to find someone that will stand by thier work on an axle they have never seen or heard of before. If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know.
This is not that difficult. Any shop that has rebuilt a domestic axle can do this. I wouldn't hesitate for one second to tear into one myself, there is tons of support from people who have done it right here too.
What do you expect to "stand behind"? I do not know a single reputable shop that doesn't stand behind their work regardless of the job at hand. Anyone willing to do it, is pretty well bound to fix it if they get something wrong.
At your milage I would replace the CV joints, regardless of boot condition. The 463s send power though the front axle all the time. I would expect them to be worn if not broken. Do it once, do it right. |
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| Re: Front Axle
The CV joints on mine were still snug (zero looseness) at 160K miles. That was when the boot broke. I replaced the boots and presume that the CVs are still good. With proper lubrication a CV joint will last for a very long time. Also only 50% of the torque goes through the front axle.
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Warren T
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: May 2006
Location: Montreal
Vehicle(s): 230GE,300GD,300D
Posts: 519
| Re: Front Axle
someone used to doing domestic axles might ignore the importance of centering and
preloading the swivel housings. When done right, a rebuild will last a very long time but
if done wrong, it won't last. Loose king pin bearings won't last due to shock loading and
can cause steering wobble and if the axle shaft is riding on the bushing in the end of the axle tube, the CV joint will be carying the weight of that corner and will eventually break.
Doing it right requires the right tools and is quite time consuming but worth while in the end.
Wheel bearing adjustment is also a little tricky......
Warren |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Front Axle
Warren T:
What tools are you referring to? I know there is one tool needed to get into the axle / hub that is proprietary to MB.
What other specialty tools are needed for this? |
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bimmerc
Veteran
Date registered: Jun 2009
Location: Alta, Norway
Vehicle(s): 1992 300GE swb Portals, 85 300GD STT Cab swb
Posts: 102
| Re: Front Axle
Two excellent DIY articles on front axle serviceØ
http://pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=19242&posts=...
and
http://www.clubgwagen.com/gtech.php?pageTitle=G-Tech%20Article&sid=...
The articles helped me service both sides with the assistance of a backyard mechanic (my cousin). Took me a weekend. No special tools.
My cousin is a skilled mechanic but he had never worked on Gwagen front axles. I would not have started the job without him, but would have no problems doing it on my own in the future.
We did not do the recommended MB adjustment due to lack of special tools but followed all torque specifications and mounting procedures. I am happy with the results. |
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