Removal and Installation of Rear Axle Shafts

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF REAR AXLE SHAFTS





Preceding work:
Removal and installation of wheels.

Caution! Moving the vehicle on the wheels with the rear axle shafts removed will damage the wheel bearings.


Removal, installation

1 Model 124.06 (convertible)



When removing the left rear axle shaft, remove left cross brace (36) on frame floor. Replace self-locking polygon head bolts (36b). Tightening torque 120 Nm.

Caution! The body must be jacked up without any distortion when working on cross braces. A twin-pillar hoist can be used for this.




2 When removing the left rear axle shaft, disengage rubber rings of exhaust system (105). Support exhaust system. Check rubber rings for damage, replace if required.

3 On vehicles with ASR



When removing the right rear axle shaft, remove the cable rail (X62/8b) on rear axle bracket. When assembling, ensure correct cable routing.




4 Using socket wrench insert 30 mm 126 589 02 09 00, loosen twelve-point collar nut for attaching the rear axle shaft and remove.




Installation note: Replace twelve-point collar nut. Lightly lubricate thread and bearing surface of twelve-point collar nut. Socket wrench insert 30 mm 126 589 02 09 00. Torque wrench 001 589 74 21 00. Secure twelve-point collar nut (arrow). Tightening torque 280 - 320 Nm.




5 Remove rear axle shafts (37) from connecting flange and remove locking bolts and plain washers. Replace locking bolts and plain washers. Lightly lubricate thread and bolt head support. Tightening torque M10 = 70 Nm, M12 = 100 Nm.




Note: As of 04/91 the rear axle shafts and connection flanges have a centering feature (arrows). Centered connection flanges can be installed with uncentered rear axle shafts (closing plate). However, rear axle shafts with centering feature cannot be combined with connection flanges without centering feature. In such cases a closing plate without centering feature must be installed if required and the grease quantity taken from the installed closing plate.




6 Compress rear axle shafts in axial direction and remove downwards.




7 If seated tightly use extractor/pulling-in equipment 140 589 03 61 00 to press rear axle shaft out of rear axle shaft flange.

Note: Observe locating pin if brake caliper and brake disc have already been removed.




Note: The M 8 thread on the outer joint for the rear axle shaft has been eliminated since 08/93. A blind hole with core diameter of 6~4 mm is still present. If the rear axle shaft is seated tightly in the rear axle shaft flange cut an M 8 thread in order to pull out and install the rear axle shaft with extractor/pulling-in equipment 140 589 03 61 00.

Testing

8 Check constant velocity joints and rubber cup seals for leaks and damage, replace if required.

9 Install in reverse sequence.