News:

Please add your location to your profile. It will help others to help you!

Main Menu

What to do with dried out half shaft rubbers

Started by Ub2693v, 15 May 2018, 11:23 AM

Ub2693v

Is it better to buy new half shafts or re-boot the old ones? Mine are not torn but they are very dry and beginning to crack. Brand new shafts can be bought for not much more than the inner/outer boot kits. I plan on doing an entire drivetrain re-fresh on the 6.9 with flex discs/support bearing ETC. I might even have access to a lift (fingers crossed)!!
Jesse

1977 450SEL 6.9  2760

daantjie

If you have lift access then yes if it were me I would do the whole driveshaft, as well as diff refresh, subframe bushings etc.  This is  a huge job so do it once and do it right.  I would personally replace the half shafts with new, again seeing as this is a big job might as well bomb it all out. Also good opportunity to check rear bearings (also not for the faint of heart), as well as the sway bar bushings and anti - squat linkages and bushings.  Be warned though that these anti - squat parts are super hard to find, and if you do you will probably have heart failure at the prices :o
Uncle Kent has a good vid on this as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZH9n8PAdCc
Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

Ub2693v

I love his video's!! I've watched hours of them since my purchase. You're right, I should bite the bullet and do it all at once and hopefully never have to worry about it again. Luckily the ant-squat rubber parts look to be in good order, the leveling valves of course has me worried just because of the price to replace (if they are even available) them but so far no leaks and with most old finicky parts the less I mess with it the less likely for any damage to occur. I'll probably empty my wallet some more today on the parts and maybe have time in the next couple of weeks to dive in. ;D
Jesse

1977 450SEL 6.9  2760

rumb

Dont forget your locking differential probably isnt locking anymore.  New discs are about $500.
'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

TJ 450

The best option for half shafts is to retrofit W126 500-560SEL shafts and flanges. These are also the only option for new.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

Ub2693v

Jesse

1977 450SEL 6.9  2760

daantjie

Rock Auto used to be good but they now they stock some seriously bargain basement brands IMHO.
Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

TJ 450

Those Rock Auto ones are the W126 type, although that seems insanely cheap.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

rumb

Quote from: TJ 450 on 15 May 2018, 04:39 PM
The best option for half shafts is to retrofit W126 500-560SEL shafts and flanges. These are also the only option for new.

Tim

What is the procedure to retrofit?
'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

Ub2693v

http://www.heriautomotive.com/company 

Here is the link to the manufacturer of the axles sold through rock auto
Jesse

1977 450SEL 6.9  2760

Squiggle Dog

Those Heri axle shafts are an absolute steal. I would image the cost of materials alone would exceed the price. Unfortunately, I have heard many experiences about Chinese axle shafts wearing out within an extremely short time (sometimes within a month) due to not having heat-treated surfaces, being out of balance, and boots tearing. I can't say if this brand is the same, just something to consider. They may be worth trying if you're willing to risk doing the job over again if they fail. Who knows--they could last decades. This place has a good reputation for rebuilding Mercedes axle shafts: http://www.cvjreman.com/mercedes/ .
Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

Ub2693v

https://www.amazon.com/Heri-22200-HD-CV-Axle/dp/B00TO0NUO0

Review of a Heri Axle on Amazon (at the bottom of the page), looks like I'll go with the company you had mentioned and have them rebuilt!! To be 44$ US there has to be corners cut in the build process.
Jesse

1977 450SEL 6.9  2760

wbrian63

Quote from: rumb on 16 May 2018, 08:00 AM
Quote from: TJ 450 on 15 May 2018, 04:39 PM
The best option for half shafts is to retrofit W126 500-560SEL shafts and flanges. These are also the only option for new.

Tim

What is the procedure to retrofit?
Forum member Bill Babe (WGB) did this on his 6.9 ages ago:
https://forum.w116.org/mechanicals/6-9-rear-end-rebuild-with-560sel-shafts/
https://forum.w116.org/mechanicals/560sel-driveshaft-conversion-for-6-9/msg77053/#msg77053
W. Brian Fogarty

'12 S550 (W221)
'76 450SEL 6.9 Euro #521
'02 S55 AMG (W220) - sold
'76 450SEL 6.9 Euro #1164 - parted out

"Bond reflected that good Americans were fine people, and most of them seemed to come from Texas..." Casino Royale, Chapter V

ptashek

Quote from: wbrian63 on 17 May 2018, 10:41 AM
Quote from: rumb on 16 May 2018, 08:00 AM
Quote from: TJ 450 on 15 May 2018, 04:39 PM
The best option for half shafts is to retrofit W126 500-560SEL shafts and flanges. These are also the only option for new.

Tim

What is the procedure to retrofit?
Forum member Bill Babe (WGB) did this on his 6.9 ages ago:
https://forum.w116.org/mechanicals/6-9-rear-end-rebuild-with-560sel-shafts/
https://forum.w116.org/mechanicals/560sel-driveshaft-conversion-for-6-9/msg77053/#msg77053

Just for future reference - can those be retro-fitted to any W116 or only the 6.9?
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

TJ 450

I don't see why not, they would certainly fit the smaller V8s and the diesels, they 280 would require further investigation as the diff housing is smaller so there may be other differences.

For retrofitting, you need the whole assembly as per WGB's write-up on it.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500