jvanbrecht

So, I did the Service B, followed the checklist that I got from my dealership.

Replaced the Air Filters, changed the oil/filter (pulled out about 7.5 qts via the pump method, picked up the pump from West Marine), put about 8 back in. Checked all the hoses, lines, etc etc.

Came across this, the steering side is fine, the rear however is a different story, took these two pics of the boots over the drive axle.. They appear to be decaying or rotting.. Anyone else noticed this on their vehicles, I may take a trip to my dealer to have them fix it before they completely fail, as its not something I can do myself...

GHAZAN

mine look the same

Jae Duk

I'm kind of lost. What part is that?

jim07

Let us know what the dealership says. That does not look right on a two year old car!!!

jvanbrecht

If you stick your head under the rear of the car, you will see them, they are the seals over the drive lines that go from the rear diff to the wheels.

Mort

Looks to me to be some sort of undercoating that was sprayed and got on the boots. After time it dries out and cannot stick to the rubber, with all the flexing it goes through and flakes off. I have just carefully flaked it off and if the rubber is still good underneath then you should be good to go.

Most boots I have seen that start to degrade from age seem to form craze split lines in the rubber that run around the diameter of the boot in the peaks and valleys and not across the length. I don't think the rubber will flake off like that.

Not saying you should not get someone to look at them, just that I have seen a lot that look like that and it was a protective product that was peeling off the surface of the boot.

ZephyrAMG

+1 Fantastic Assessment. Like mentioned, it could be a coating that is simply pealing, where the rubber is still perfect.

Jons95c36amg

Why don't you drain the oil the old fashion way. Did my drain and put in 8.5 quarts and it was right on the full line. The pan has a 9qrt capacity.

cek

Mine (< 8000 miles) look like that too.

VCA_AMG

B/C it's a pain in the a$$, filter installs from the top, and oil extractor from the top works great. 0.5q of old oil still inside isn't the end of the world in a 9q capacity engine IMO; different story if it was a 4q pan.

Jons95c36amg

Well mine had 1/2 qrt of old oil. But with the extractor he had 1qrt of old oil. Yes that 1/2qrt more of old oil bothers me

novae500

i use the mityvac for doing my oil changes for most of my cars/family cars. But for the E55 i have to drain from the bottom.

jvanbrecht

Mine is identical to the mityvac, but is branded West Marine.

jstefanop

iTrader: (1)

Actually its probably closer to two quarts. There is over a quart of "old" oil inside the oil pump, and high pressure oil lines that feed the engine.

motoman

Drain the oil with the plug out. Hoist the beast on blocks to get crawl space. Leave the wheels on. I use big cat litter container. Cut the top out , voila catch tank for 9 qts. Drain it at least warm. You guys with lifts are really spoiled (green , green envy)

C63newdude

^ + 1.

C63newdude

That remaining oil on the bottom of the oil pan is what it has the most dirt. When I use to do oil changes on other cars I would also let it drain for a few minutes. It is just a matter of preferences.

C63newdude

It is commonly known as CV boot. It is a rubber protectant for the articulation of the axle. It holds grease inside.

Muskoka_AMG

It's a shame that you didn't snap some pictures and put a "how to: Service B" up. That would've been incredibly useful.

Yuille36

This is nothing, it's simply the paint, that's flaking off. If the boots were actually torn, you would see lubricration leaking out. Also I like to use the drain method instead of the suction method for removing oil. As the car holds roughly 9.3 qts, and you only managed to remove 7.5 qts. I also drain the oil cooler, that holds about a cup full of oil. But to each his own.

jvanbrecht

I alternate between suction and drain methods.. and only do suction in winter (the ground is cold.... and usually wet and snowy)

Yuille36

The only issue, that I see with suction is that you can't extract all the oil out. The bottom line is this, one can never get all the oil out. But draining it extracts more oil then sucking it out. And I'm not the only one, here that shares this view.

jvanbrecht

No, I do not disagree with you, which is why I alternate, but 7 to 8 of new with 1 to 2 old is not going to be too much of an issue between the drain from bottom method.. especially since I do my oil every 5k miles instead of every 10k

Jons95c36amg

I saw the boots flaking too. I hope its no issue.

Merc63

You should be draining the oil cooler when you do an oil change too.

You wont be able to get extended warranty on the car if you do your own services.