I have the older style axles, (I can never remember what they are called), the ones with an external bolt flange vs the ones that you have to remove the diff cover and pop a snap ring.

Specifically, Im curious if I can use a diff that was made and sold with one version with the other? My axles are still good on my 1980 240, and I would like to see how it rides with a 1983 300D 3.07 rear end in it.

Can I use the older axles, or would there be a shim spec of depth issue I would run into?

The axles can go either way, doesn`t matter. the all one piece is refered to as the Homokenetics, and the two piece is the Annular.
you can even mix them and not have any problems.

the Annular are just easier to work with once the stub piece is mounted in the Differential. when one has to be changed, just remove the bolt in the hub, remove the six at the Diff. end, push towards the hub, drop down and pull out.

I have read the spacer goes with the Differential, and also read the spacer goes with the axle.
Important thing is the "C" clip should fit snug w/o any play.. they can be purchased from the dealer in the various sizes.

Charlie

NOTE: the "C" clip should fit snug. It is the spacers that can be purchased from the Dealer in the various sizes.

ok great, I have a number of C clips from multiple junk yard homokenetic axle failures until I wised up and just bought some new ones.

The annulars do look way easier to service, im excited that the car has them to begin with, and they are not yet horribly cracked. I give it a few months though.

thanks

I too prefer annulars for their ease of service, but you have to make dang sure the bolts are torqued properly and preferably with loctite applied.

is there a torque spec for those bolts? Ill remember that about he loctite, I already carry around the blue stuff anyway, should these be with red?

(06-09-2010 09:52 PM)dropnosky Wrote:  ok great, I have a number of C clips from multiple junk yard homokenetic axle failures until I wised up and just bought some new ones.

The annulars do look way easier to service, im excited that the car has them to begin with, and they are not yet horribly cracked. I give it a few months though.

thanks

I think I might have missled you some in my first post.

The "C" clip should fit snug, true. It is the spacers that can be purchased from the dealer in various thicknesses. I don`t know the range they are in though.

---

I forgot to mention to use Locktite in my first post.

If any of the Chinese axles are purchased, make sure to double check these bolts. especially if changing from Homo to annular axles. don`t just change them over and think you are good to go.

there were a few member over on Peach Parts that had the bolts loosen up.

Charlie

That was me. They (GSP?) improved their QA, you can see this because they mark each bolt individually. Ive had about a year without issue now. I dont think advanced auto carries them anymore.... Personally I would either use good ones from the junkyard OR talk to rusty @ buymparts.biz. Hes got quality rebuilds at $129 a piece.

So I can order axles for a 300D and use them in my 300SD? It looks like they are the same, I have been searching online and cannot seem to find any SD axles, only 300D - I wonder why?

The car I took the diff out of was a 1981 240D and had one of each style. I want to get the annular style as it looks as easier to service and not have to remove diff cover.

After doing some research, it looks like the W123 will not work - maybe length differences?

I did find some good information on EPC, the following will work for a 1982 300SD:

• 280S
• 280SE
• 280SEL
• 350SD
• 350SDL
  

The new replacement axles require a flange for the annular axles and they are all the same part number: A124 357 0289

Off to the Junkyards to do some searching...

(07-24-2010 09:51 AM)Rudolf_Diesel Wrote:  The new replacement axles require a flange for the annular axles and they are all the same part number: A124 357 0289

Off to the Junkyards to do some searching...

So the inner part of the annular is the same between the 300D and 300SD and its probably just a length difference of the axle shaft itself?

Are there any differences in the hub side between the 300D and 300SD?

Maybe you could order 300D axles, and build a spacer between the flange and axle.