This is an excellent tutorial on R&R of front left axle. I replaced both my front left and front right axles on my 2011 R350 this weekend. I do want to highlight a couple differences when doing the front right axle, as it is longer than the front left. To R&R the front right axle, we had to release the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle along with the tie rod end. That gave us enough room to remove the axle. When installing the new axle, it was very helpful to remove the bolt that holds the shock to the lower control arm. That allowed more room and a better angle to get the axle end back into the wheel hub. We could not do it otherwise. Overall, pretty straight-forward R&R. Thanks for the great video Corey!!
Wouldn’t it be easier to disconnect the lower ball joint and tie rod end to move the steering knuckle, rather than the upper control arm? Looks to me there would be more room that way.
Note for others - my old R320 axle splines were as if welded into the hub - tried SDS drill (no luck). In the end I used the nut as a guide to hold a suitably sized impact socket in place (inside the nut) - then a careful swing with a heavy sledge hammer did the trick.
Hi...i got the GL 550 with an off road package as well. Do you know if there is a difference in axles, or are they the same? Not heavier or thicker anything?
I had to remove caliper and rotor to be able to hookup a bearing puller tool to separare axle from the spindle,my car has lot of rust,it came from switzerland
Useful hat-tips for anyone changing or servicing their front differential. The bearings in the front diff (separate to the 'transfer case') of the ML/GL/R are prone to fail when the lubricating oil gets low or old.
Is the right hand drive shaft (longer than left) the same part for the R, ML and GL or are the ML and GL slightly longer to allow for the taller stance?
I tried it and this method does not work on a 2009 GL550 because the inner CV is too large to pass thru the lower strut wishbone. You gotta free the lower strut from the lower A-arm to get the axle out and on the bench.
Great video Corey...realy helpfull...So i got one question. Mercedes original parts in Holland are just as expensive as a small house or a scond gf. How do you feel about imitation parts, and if so...do you have a recommended brand? Thx and greetings from Holland.
I've seen some reports that the Merc GL has a higher torque spec than the ML on the axle nuts. Worth double checking in the official WIS manual. First time around, I guessed the torque, only tightened in one stage. The axle nut loosened and it fscuked up the wheel bearing.
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This is an excellent tutorial on R&R of front left axle. I replaced both my front left and front right axles on my 2011 R350 this weekend. I do want to highlight a couple differences when doing the front right axle, as it is longer than the front left. To R&R the front right axle, we had to release the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle along with the tie rod end. That gave us enough room to remove the axle. When installing the new axle, it was very helpful to remove the bolt that holds the shock to the lower control arm. That allowed more room and a better angle to get the axle end back into the wheel hub. We could not do it otherwise. Overall, pretty straight-forward R&R. Thanks for the great video Corey!!
The 1st video concerning Mercedes axle change, that I can actually understand what he is saying.
(And I've watched 3 or 4 at this point)
I'll second that
Best clearest video I’ve seen. Great job
K
Thanks -- seemed in concept to be an intimidating job but seeing it done talked me off the ledge!
Do you need to replace the c clips, snap rings, on the inboard side of the drive shaft?
Wouldn’t it be easier to disconnect the lower ball joint and tie rod end to move the steering knuckle, rather than the upper control arm? Looks to me there would be more room that way.
Note for others - my old R320 axle splines were as if welded into the hub - tried SDS drill (no luck). In the end I used the nut as a guide to hold a suitably sized impact socket in place (inside the nut) - then a careful swing with a heavy sledge hammer did the trick.
Thanks a lot this is a real help with an ML550 4MATIC with the vehicle off-road package
Hi...i got the GL 550 with an off road package as well. Do you know if there is a difference in axles, or are they the same? Not heavier or thicker anything?
I had to remove caliper and rotor to be able to hookup a bearing puller tool to separare axle from the spindle,my car has lot of rust,it came from switzerland
Useful hat-tips for anyone changing or servicing their front differential. The bearings in the front diff (separate to the 'transfer case') of the ML/GL/R are prone to fail when the lubricating oil gets low or old.
Is the right hand drive shaft (longer than left) the same part for the R, ML and GL or are the ML and GL slightly longer to allow for the taller stance?
Great tutorial video. Subbed.
I tried it and this method does not work on a 2009 GL550 because the inner CV is too large to pass thru the lower strut wishbone. You gotta free the lower strut from the lower A-arm to get the axle out and on the bench.
Same for gl450 2007
Great video Corey...realy helpfull...So i got one question. Mercedes original parts in Holland are just as expensive as a small house or a scond gf. How do you feel about imitation parts, and if so...do you have a recommended brand? Thx and greetings from Holland.
08 ML 320cdi, my axle will not fit through the strut maybe it's different on a diesel?
From where did you get the axle? I have a 2013 R350 BlueTEC 4 MATIC. Can't find that in Pelican or FCP Euro.
Would this be the same for a 2020 GLA 250 4matic
Great Video, is the same two stage & torque spec the same for the axle bolt on a 2016 GL350?
I've seen some reports that the Merc GL has a higher torque spec than the ML on the axle nuts.
Worth double checking in the official WIS manual. First time around, I guessed the torque, only tightened in one stage. The axle nut loosened and it fscuked up the wheel bearing.
Plz mension OEM part.number of Mercedes-Benz which you are changing
Great step by step video
H
Why need the brass bar ? If you are going to use a new cv axle anyway?
Thank you
¡Awesome!
If is just the outer boot you don’t need to remove the shaft , just used the cone method and done
Funny he doesnt show himself torquing it to 185 ft lbs