Half shafts — removal and installation (Mercedes-Benz C-Class W201)

Note: A new axle nut and bolts will be required for installation.

Removal

1. Remove the wheel trim/hub cap (depending on what is installed), and using a hammer and a chisel with a round end, loosen the mounting nut. With the car on the ground, loosen the hub nut and wheel mounting bolts.

2. Place chocks under the front wheels, then raise the rear of the vehicle and place it on stands (see "Lifting the car and placing it on supports").

3. Remove the appropriate wheel. Note that when removing the left wheel, it may be necessary to remove the rear exhaust pipe to provide the necessary clearance required to remove the shaft.

4. Loosen and remove the mounting bolts and plates securing the axle shafts to the final drive flange and support the axle shaft by tying it to the car body with a piece of rope (see fig. 5.4).

Note: Do not allow the axle shaft to hang in the air as this may damage the CV joints. Discard the bolts and use new ones when installing.

5. Unscrew the axle shaft mounting nut and remove the outer CV joint from the hub. If necessary, knock the joint out of the hub using a wooden hammer. If this cannot be done, the joint must be removed using a puller that is bolted to the hub.

6. Remove the axle shaft from the vehicle.

Installation

7. Installation is carried out in reverse order, taking into account the following points: (see Fig. 5.7, a-c).

• a) Before installation, lubricate the surface and threads of the new hub nut with clean engine oil.
• b) Install the new mounting bolts together with the mounting plates and tighten them to the required torque.
• c) Tighten the hub nut to the required torque and hammer it into the groove on the axle shaft using a hammer and punch. If necessary, tighten the nut slightly, and then tighten and hammer it when the car is standing on its wheels on the ground.