Mercedes-Benz W123 axle shaft replacement and clunking
Mercedes-Benz W123 axle shaft: how is it removed and replaced?
1. Drain the rear axle oils, remove the wheel and the brake caliper (the brake hose does not need to be opened). 2. Detach the shaft from the hub and swing the end aside. 3. Support the rear with a jack, remove the bracket from the rear beam and lower the rear axle. 4. Open the rear cover of the differential and remove the shaft pin. 5. Refit in reverse order. The differential cover is sealed with a liquid gasket, which cures in about a day. Brakes are safety-critical, so have a workshop check the result.
Mercedes-Benz W123 clunking or rattling from the rear: is the axle shaft at fault?
The cause can be the balls in the shaft joint slipping out of place. A little end play is normal for the shaft, so play alone does not explain the rattling. Also check the lower end of the shock absorber, the rear control arm bushings and the washer of the axle hub bolt. A broken wheel bearing can seize at any time.
Does any axle shaft fit the W123?
According to the parts lists, one shaft fits all 123 models, and there is no difference between the left and right shafts. Do not swap the direction of rotation of a used shaft, because the joint does not tolerate it. Compare the length of the new shaft with the old one: a shaft for the wrong model can be too long and not fit.