rabbitjetta

Hey everyone, I just wanted to post this as I did not have much luck finding information before I trail and errored some axles for my 08 E350 4Matic.

First, The Mercedes axles range from 1100-1300 at the dealer and from several online resources. I found the easiest way to get the Mercedes axle locally is to go into the dealer with a print out the Mercedes Fort Mitchell parts page, they have the part listed for $845 which my dealer honored the price instead of their $1130 list price and then $12 for the stretch bolt. https://parts.mbfm.com/p/Mercedes-Be...113301801.html

Second, a good high-quality axle I have found on the driver side front is from the Duralst brand one from Autozone that can be found for around $100. I have been running this axle on my car for a few months and about 10K now and have had no vibration issues or torn boots. These axles come into stock from time to time you just have to keep your eye open. https://www.autozone.com/drivetrain/...93_0_2362_2805

The Passenger side is only available from Chinese companies and are low quality. I have tried 2 FEQ axles and found that when stopped in gear or accelerating there is a resonating vibration that comes from the axle being solid instead of hollow like the Mercedes one. A local shop attempted to use one of these on a customers car as well I was informed by my local Mercedes dealer and had the same result. They brought the car to the dealer and after a new MB axle the car was fine.

kjb55

Great information. I would add that you search your local area for rebuilders. Used a local rebuilder in Chicago 2 years ago on a 2004 E320 Driver's side front. $45. You get your part rebuilt so it should minimize any concerns with it working / vibrations / etc. Zero trouble so far and about 30k miles.

cetialpha5

I'd like to find a local shop that will rebuild them. I think nationally I only ran into one place that does them for around $300. There must be other shops out there that will rebuild them for less.

Anyway, as for MB parts, the two places to go would be oediscountparts.com which has it for $847 with free shipping or genuinemercedesparts.com which typically has it for less but sometimes the shipping makes it more expensive. In high dollar parts, they're probably cheaper as shipping to me is only $25 for the $791 part.

https://www.oediscountparts.com/part...&siteid=215242

https://www.genuinemercedesparts.com...bly-2113301801

NCTRNL

I can second the issues with the FEQ axles. I have them on both sides on the front currently and they're terrible. I need to get my old axles rebuilt but aside $400/each at http://www.cvjreman.com/ I can't find anywhere else to do it. I may take them to a local shop to see if they'll just reboot them but the inner joints are the ones that tore on mine and the bearings came off the spindles. I have them all but I'm worried that since they won't be in the exact same orientation, they may have issues. I could be overthinking it.

kajtek1

You are overthinking it. Axles - unlike driveshafts turn at lower speeds and I don't see any balancing done on them.
The inner joint is hold by boot only, so nothing wrong with putting it back.
MB boots cost slightly above $100 (per axle) and that is what I did on my car. You can find my pictorial about the job.

deandome

Where did you get your axles rebuilt? I'm up in Libertyville. Thanks for the input!

kjb55

Here is the place I used:

United Driveline, Inc.
2500 South Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
773-579-1100

NCTRNL

I really wish I could find someone local to rebuild mine but no one seems up for it. Even the local german shop that everyone goes to, Hafkemeyer Motors, won't touch them unless they're on the car. CVJ wants $380/side with a $225 core.