500SL rear axle removal

[matthewz108]

Hi all,
I am trying to remove my axles to get them refurbished and new boots installed. As they are the type that are connected inside the diff, i need to remove the rear cover of the diff to get access to the securing clips on the ends of the axles.
However I'm stuck at trying to drop the diff low enough to get the top two bolts out of the cover. I can drop the diff about 25mm, but it's not enough to get the top two loosened bolts out because of the horizontal chassis member behind the diff.
Picture shows me holding one of the diff cover bolts against the rear face of the diff and longer than the available gap.
I've undone the four rear mounting bolts to the diff, but am wondering whether i need to also undo the sub-frame mounts or drive-shaft centre mount.
The car has the anti squat rear end.
Appreciate any guidance if anyone's done this before, on a similar r107.

[T-Modell]

Hi,
I cannot help you with this exact problem; but when you want to refurbish the rear axle, why don't you take out the whole thing? Some screws and it pops out. If you have it on a pallet, it's nice to work on it. I guess you want to change rubbers and derust the stuff?

Regards
Thomas

[Bartman4800]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62g_w9V-Er0

[matthewz108]

It does look easier to work on, but i was trying to avoid removing the whole thing. I might have to bite the bullet and take the whole thing out. Can you access the 4 or so bolts that mount the top of the diff to the sub-frame or do i need to lower the sub frame? Of course that would allow me to re new the balance of the rubber components at that end of the car. The front end is all done so i suppose...
I don't want to open a can of worms for the sake of re booting the axles...

[newMercowner69]

Do you need/require/want new bearings&oil seals?,
If so let me know &i'll quote you inc postage.

[matthewz108]

Thanks, but just need technical advice at this stage.

[John Green]

Thanks, but just need technical advice at this stage.

I suspect it is how you have the car supported? If I do this on a two post hoist with the wheels all hanging free, the diff comes down enough to get those bolts out. Where are the stands supporting the car?

[matthewz108]

John, the car is in a two post hoist, only on the first or second lock-off position about 300-500mm in the air. i had a regular trolley jack under the diff for support as i expected the diff to lower gracefully down where i wanted it, but that obviously didn't happen.
I am now slowly going down the route of removal of the rear axles with the diff centre in one unit. Before i start i need to sort out a support stand (i don't have a motorbike stand or similar) to support the removed unit, which will show me to lower the diff and sort the axles until i can roll it out from under the car. I'd rather spend a bit of time making sure that part is safely done, than rushing into dismantling. I've probably got a good week up my sleeve as I'm currently flooded in (were high and dry, but isolated), out past windsor.

[matthewz108]

So, just an update, the axles have been removed. I ended up disconnecting the shocks and the rear flex discs, to enable access to get to the top two bolts on the rear diff cover.
Once the diff cover was removed, and retaining clips removed from the inner ends of the axle, undoing the sway bar shackle and the brake hose mounting plate on the hub, the axle begrudgingly came out.
The second axle came out in about half an hour.
It's the slight differences in rear end set ups that makes every job in these cars a leaning lesson.

[CraigB]

Thanks for feeding back what worked for you - never know when that will help someone in the future who goes searching for answers.

[matthewz108]

Now the dilemma of whether to buy new axles, or recondition the originals. The rubber boots have a Mercedes logo on them so I presume they're original.
The dilemma is:
Will reco'd ones be as good as brand new aftermarket ones? Can't imagine new replacement parts are made using the same materials as original.
Given the car is not concourse, and probably only gets driven once a month on a Sunday or so, longevity, not originality are important to me.
I'd love to hear a long term review from someone who's installed aftermarket axles

[CraigB]

I've never had an axle wear problem ever. Boots yes, but if they are kept in good condition and given the use you describe, and if you can't feel any obvious wear, I would be fitting new boots and put them back. But just my opinion.

[Bartman4800]

Best thing to do with the boots still mounted, is check for rotational clearance.
Put one end in the vice and try to rotate the other end left and right.
Do the same thing while compressing the shaft to various lengths.

Good shaft have no noticeable clearance, and also no binding spots

They usually sit at the same position, that is where they wear most.

If you cannot find any obvious sloppy spots, they should be good to reinstall.
If the rubber is perished, just put new boots on and replace the grease.

Bart

[T-Modell]

I'd replace everything, once the axle is out. This old stuff is "old" and it's not getting any better. I trust on the stuff from dbdepot, but I don't know, if they deliver to Oz these days. For my Pickup (500SL axles), I replaced everything.

Regards
Thomas

[matthewz108]

So i dropped them off today to my local independent mechanic, and he assured me they were still in good consorting, but he's pulling them down and re-booting as a minimum.
I'm really trying to preserve this car as much as possible, rather than replace with new parts, and if i can keep original components on the car, I'd prefer to do that.