Author Topic: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question  (Read 2997 times)

AllenF

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Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question
« on: July 13, 2020, 22:34:29 »
Hi folks,

I made the rookie mistake of thinking I could replace the rear pinion seal safely by counting the turns on the nut so not to disturb the crush sleeve adjustment.   I replaced all of the other hardware on the axle, and I now have a strange clunk sound that occurs when I accelerate out of a corner.   My suspicion is the crush sleeve may be overcompressed and now I have introduced slop.   This is the taller ratio Euro axle I saved from another car and I am hoping I haven't damaged it.   

Couple questions...

Can this be replaced in the car without removing the axle assembly?  I have the MB BB but it's not clear if this can be accomplished.  I am afraid to take the axle to a rear end shop given past experiences.   

If this does require deep expertise and tools I probably don't own, is there anyone left in the Northwest that knows these?  The car turned out great, and I don't want to damage the rear end.   

Thanks in advance for any suggestions! 

Allen

Benz Dr.

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Re: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2020, 15:17:20 »
Which way are you turning when you drive out of the corner?  Could be something as simple as the axle tube hitting your exhaust pipes.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

AllenF

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Re: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2020, 15:21:26 »
Thanks for the reply.  Seems more pronounced when I make a right turn, but I think it's happening both directions. I will check that though...

The noise developed over time, so my sense is that the exhaust probably didn't move but you never know...

Allen

Peter

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Re: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2020, 16:43:51 »
The noise developed over time, so my sense is that the exhaust probably didn't move but you never know...

Hi Allen,
This is the main suspect.
Next check also the fixing and rubber of the mounting in the middle of the axle to the body.
The propeller well-adjusted before fixing?  Before fixing the car must be put once on the ground.

^Peter

Pawel66

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Re: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2020, 16:49:43 »
I know that all you know this better than me, but maybe for the others who read these threads to learn like me: in e.g. W463 exhaust expands good 2 centimeters when hot. When you look at cold car, you need to budget for that.
Pawel

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merrill

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Re: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2020, 13:07:56 »
hi
if all else fails you can check the rolling resistance of the pinion.

Shvegel provides guidance in the link below.
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=27446.msg197106#msg197106


Best Matt
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

AllenF

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Re: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question FOLLOW UP
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2020, 17:51:12 »
Hi Folks,

Just thought I would follow up with the resolution ( I believe) to the axle "clunk" issue.   I went ahead and did the pinion/ crush sleeve and pre-load torque procedure but discovered the real issue as I brought it down from the lift.  I had checked this loose axle issue before, but probably didn't push hard enough on the axle.  But when she comes off the lift with the wheels at the dropped position, it put enough pressure on the axle to produce the clunk.   

Also, FWIW, I had no problem retrieving the crush sleeve from the front without disassembling the axle.    Mercedes Classic in CA had all the parts no problem.   


https://youtu.be/vNMIdlAu-5A



AllenF

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Re: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2020, 20:03:13 »
Yup, looks like the lock washer on the axle was either not fully seated when it was installed last or it worked its way loose.  There was a 3/16 gap between the seat and the bearing.  So, when I went around corners and accelerated it would move one way or another.   

New parts enroute....

Allen

cfm65@me.com

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Re: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2020, 20:33:59 »
Well done, Allen,
Chris
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Benz Dr.

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Re: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2020, 17:02:29 »
A note to consider:
The crush sleeve really doesn't crush very easily at all. When doing an axle a while back, we found that the pin socket we had would not work and kept popping off the nut when enough torque was applied to crush the sleeve. We made a fixture to hold the socket in place while turning the nut. After several tightenings, it finally settled into the prescribed turning resistance.

Keeping all of this in mind, tightening the nut as much as you can will not likely crush the sleeve any further when replacing the pinion seal. The amount it's crushed from the factory should be sufficient as long as nothing else is worn within the axle proper.

I always kind of worried that I would get the nut too tight when not tight enough would be more likely.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

Shvegel

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Re: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question
« Reply #10 on: November 27, 2020, 21:55:10 »
I second Dan's comments.  The new crush sleeves seem to be less crushable that the old ones.  Had to clamp the socket in and stand on an 18" breaker bar to get the correct rolling resistance.

Benz Dr.

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Re: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question
« Reply #11 on: November 28, 2020, 04:47:07 »
I second Dan's comments.  The new crush sleeves seem to be less crushable than the old ones.  Had to clamp the socket in and stand on an 18" breaker bar to get the correct rolling resistance.
Yeah, we were surprised by how much force was required to crush the sleeve and it took a lot more force than expected.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

merrill

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Re: Replace Rear Axle Crush Washer Question
« Reply #12 on: November 16, 2021, 00:50:01 »
I was researching the crush washer procedure because i think i have a pinion bearing issue and was surprised at the difference between the 230  vs 250/280 crush washers.

attachments
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230