elchuygrande

When changing the front differential oil on my 2009 E350 4matic, I noticed the rubber boot on the front right CV axle was cracked. No idea how long it's been like that. I read it's better to just change out the whole thing instead of just replacing the boot. I also read I am able wait until it starts clicking before replacing it. Is this true or should I replace it ASAP?

I got a NCV48508 CV Axle and am debating DIYing it or bringing it to a euro mechanic. Don't wanna be stuck not being able to get the axle off. Heard it's a major pain so I got the 3 inch muffler clamp as recommended but still apprehensive about doing it myself.

cetialpha5

You can just buy the MB outer boot kit for around $40. The inner boot finally went on mine and the aftermarket boot kit didn't quite work so gave up and got a GSP axle from Rockauto and luckily it didn't cause a vibration. Save your MB parts in case your new axle causes a vibration. I would fix it now before it starts clicking. If you replace the boot before it clicks, it should be fine, once it clicks, it's worn out and you can't just replace the boot. The reason you change the whole thing out is because it's cheaper than fixing it. But a new MB axle is like $1200 which is why it was cheaper to just replace the boot. But if you don't know how, you run the risk of the aftermarket $100 one causing a vibration which is what the previous one from Rockauto did, but I notice they don't carry that line anymore so I took a chance on another brand and that worked out.

IIGW

i boughjt complete CV axles off of amazon. $72 each.
the MB boot is like $40 but an entire new axle it 32 dollars more....

its a no brainer, and i have like 10k miles on them now, withouth any issues.

elchuygrande

Thanks for the replies fellas. I got the aftermarket axle (GSP NCV48508) off Amazon, but based on the comment from cetialpha5, I may try to re-boot it first and get as much as I can off my original axle. I read good reviews about the GSP axle, but also want to avoid any vibrations after install. I'm going to buy a boot kit off FCP Euro and try that first (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...ebi-2113300185).

cetialpha5

I'm basically told aftermarket boots/axles don't last as long as OEM so that's why I didn't want to do aftermarket so I guess we'll see how long these GSP axles last before the boots rips or something else happens to them. I might not have this car much longer so we'll see.

drchpeteros

My axle came out relatively easily. One guy keeping tension on the outer end with a rope, I tapped at the muffler clamp I put in it with a 18 inch pry bar and it popped right out on the third tap. I didn't even hit it hard. I hit it from underneath the car which was the only way I could access it. Clamp was a bit difficult to get on and it wasn't tight but it worked.
On that side I got one of the last available MB axles just to save time. I did the left boots inner and outer myself with the MB kits and the outer wasn't hard to do but the inner was a *****. I washed afraid of aftermarket because of reports of vibration, but glad to hear some are working out. If it's just the outer boot, it's not hard at all. I agree with do it ASAP.
MB wanted like 3800 to do both. Nope.