Mercedes Driveshaft Restoration - The Hard Way

[@cambo1200]

Probably the only person in history to use filler on a CV axle.

[@Nbomber]

My old car the subframe rust holes filled with silicon sealant. I only found out when the car steered itself into oncoming traffic without my permission.

[@zaftra]

@@ALKUKES Probably something like, not the only person to use filler on unusual parts of a car.

[@krtek673]

I was ready to write something similar....this is not normal :D that should be welded

[@jasoncooperpcola]

And clear coat...

[@tylerr676]

@@Nbomber O_O

[@mardina1a]

40 years old rubbers keept gear oil inside wow, i don't think the new ones can do that.Great job.congs.

[@MrEyad1990]

Exactly.

[@Justinhomii]

nazi car

[@berndcassel2581]

@@Justinhomii Arena KZbin nutzen?

[@kris8742]

Bet the modern MB`s wont last like that.

[@darkshadowsx5949]

I'm pretty sure if he moved it around enough or drove with it like that it would split open like a gateway to the underworld. the grease inside is keeping a thin amount of the rubber pliable only enough to hold the seal, but it can easily be torn.

[@cylon9505]

Well that oil in the boot is a pretty flawless way of knowing the where still sealed!

[@RestoreIt]

True that!

[@emilcarlsson5085]

@@RestoreIt They all came with gear oil from factory, using grease might make it so during driving, the centrifugal force may push the grease outwards and away from the joint ,hence the oil :)

[@RebelWithACause-ts7de]

I have done the same rebuild job with new cans on both ends. We made up a closing tool on the lathe from large round bar and pressed the cans together with the lip swaged evenly on like we guess the OEM did it. Removing and replacing the inner shaft circlips can be made easier by stuffing a lint free rag in the void just in case the clip pings off and falls into the crown wheel or out across the workshop. It's a job worth doing so not to have to revisit that area again.

[@CH4NNELZERO]

Of all the things that look difficult in this repair it's the joining the two case pieces that looks the most nerve wracking. The owner of this Mercedes will have a museum piece by the end.

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks dude! It was a bit tricky for sure

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

Despite my scepticism you made a fabulous job of these drive shafts, well done. Considering it was preventative maintenance it's an amazing testimony to the quality of the parts used by MB.

[@S2_Inlinefive]

Great video, but you are not supposed to fill grease in the boot. They may rip apart sooner, because of the centrifugal forces. The grease in the boot are not going in to the CV either.

[@flipfinish]

The world is going crazy and yet this guy continues to be meticulous and pump out quality content. Thanks for taking my mind off the craziness for 22 minutes. Much appreciated!

[@jerbear7952]

Never assume the whole world is going crazy. Your bubble was going crazy

[@pedrodscom]

it's incredible all the time and dedication you put into this. Amazing work. Total respect.

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you Pedro! Much appreciated.

[@razberik8320]

I cant help myself of not thinking that restoring driveshaft is a total waste of time. Driveshaft is the exact part which is better to buy brand new. It is not worth the effort. Sorry.

[@pedrodscom]

@@razberik8320 is worth The effort if he enjoy It. If he want to do it. Is his decisión. And i loved seeing the video, so...

[@outofthinair1]

Amazing uber detailed, TRUE restoration on both the diff and axles !

[@zakshah3480]

Man, the fact that you did it the hard way instead of the easy way was a nice tough. Great work!!!

[@davidgruen7423]

This is the equivalence of polishing the bones inside your body, makes it look shinier if you happened to get a x ray on yourself, but does absolutely nothing mechanically. I guess it feels good knowing that you have shiny parts inside of something, regardless of whether it’s actually still being shiny.

[@sompka1]

My thought as well. I skipped around but did not see anywhere where he addresses the condition of the races.

[@bokosdieselgarage]

Great video on how to properly restore these axles. Except I don’t understand why you filled it with grease after going through so much trouble doing it the right way. Why not also use gear oil? That’s what these axles are designed for. If you’re going to use grease it would be a lot easier to just get flex boots. But I’m concerned that using grease won’t last nearly as long as gear oil and aftermarket axles are very poor quality compared to the originals. So doing it the hard way with replacing the can, like you did, would be the way to go. But you have to fill it with the proper gear oil.

[@bosniamenrepairmen5810]

1.Never put grease in rubber 2.Closing is wery bad 3.The original one is better no matter how old it is Waist of time but the most important thing is that you are happy

[@paullyczek9358]

Good job! My respect to 40 year old rubber compound!

[@dil6969]

Pretty impressive quality on the boot rubber. I regularly see modern cars less than 10 years old with torn axle boots.

[@frankotto83]

Well, I would guess that the car was a barn find and these driveshafts haven't moved in a long time. Regular use would have worn them out decades ago.

[@135Ops]

Fantastic attention to detail as always and great to watch.

[@RESTORATIONRESCUE]

Great job, your attention to detail is amazing. This car is going to look awesome once its done. We hope our 1963 c10 looks half as good once we are done.

[@stevengriffin7873]

I like the way he uses etch primer,also the horizontal spraying of the shafts was a good idea.The gloss finish looks very good,like a factory finish.

[@jkr3008]

Those old cars were surprisingly well made. The parts are not that bad on the inside, I was expecting much worse.

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

Awesome video as always. No apology required for the delays. Always a treat and understandable how much time jt must take to not only do these jobs but when you have to film it, edit, and voice over etc.. nightmare!

[@GalvanizedGreatness]

I didn’t even know Mercedes used gear oil in their axles I guess they were building it like a truck so that it would last longer

[@archygrey9093]

I can comfirm that Mercedes did indeed use gear oil from factory rather than grease.

[@alemariiyengari8739]

Man...there is magic in your hands. Most will chuck the old ones and go for new. But not you. This is called real restoration. Amazing job. Waiting to see the end result. I am sure the Merc will be staggering once finished.

[@jamiewood4280]

Staggering attention to detail. I can only hope the client actually uses this car and doesn't just park it in an air conditioned garage until the internal combustion engine is banned.

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you Jamie! I think his plan is to drive it, so all good there :) Lets just hope they don't "ban" them too soon!

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

Yeah true, the way governments and the environment folks are harping about the goodness of electric automobiles.

[@EVAN-re2yo]

you should spray the driveshaft with red colour...it can add 4 hp

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

Is that at the crank or the wheel?

[@MrBlaadieblaa]

Thanks for the vid! Any specific reason why you assembled the things before painting? You now have bare metal under the lips of the boots where water will come in and start rusting again. It would also have saved you quite a lot of masking time. Just wondering.

[@maxbradley9534]

I imagine because assembly would be quite damaging to the paint. Hammers and punches and being held in a vice etc.

[@F0XD1E]

I was wondering the same. He could have at least painted the driveshafts to have a little overlap under the boots.

[@yagomojaes6636]

It wont be in contact with water and very little oxigen so there will be pratically any rust inside the boots. Even if it did anyone will see there inside unless the person is making maintenance or a restoration so....

[@MrBlaadieblaa]

@@yagomojaes6636 I was talking of the area just under the lip of the rubber boot. Where the clamp is. There water will creep under and start rusting.

[@steinbauge4591]

@@MrBlaadieblaa with plastic strips like on my steering rack there will always be a little oil creeping on there and normal maintenance should include having a look at it once in a while ..

[@stephenduclos9693]

Nice video. I found that the proper amount of grease can pushed into the can by simply shoving it in with one finger. Hence, no need to put any inside the boot. This way also assures that the spider and balls are completely lubricated.

[@tomswindler64]

Great job on updating the axle shafts,starting to look like a improved Mercedes coming back to life.👍👍👍😎😎😎

[@RestoreIt]

Cheers Tom! 👍

[@thunderbolt513]

Outstanding and remarkable. Surely someone with these skills won't have any difficulty on finding a job, or even make hands meat on himself as self establish business man. Kudos for him👏👏👏

[@devilsoundwave375]

Can't really argue with the results!

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks dude!

[@OldtoNewRestorations]

Great work as usual! I was wondering why you hadn't painted it before assembly, but seeing what you had to do to assemble it I can see why now 😄 Keep it up 👍

[@RestoreIt]

Cheers! First time doing it this way I think!

[@Crashride-e9r]

Excellence work man!! Fabulous resolve

[@db1jdm]

Why didnt you change the inner cv joint cups?

[@WhiteWingsGarage]

Ну давай, после этого видео, расскажи нам, как тебе тяжело менять ШРУСы на своей приоре XD

[@dillanmistry]

Came out brand new

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks Dillan!

[@M1LAD81]

Nice Steve! Looking very nice indeed!

[@RestorationApprentice]

Didn't know these Merecedes driveshafts are that complicated... Great job!

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks! :)

[@Gustav4]

Me neither but they seem to work well.

[@RestorationApprentice]

​@@Gustav4 I just restored mine few days ago on a Porsche 924 project... Much simpler design for servicing.

[@FranRuiz]

Hi Man! Those shafts must be filled with oil, not with grease..

[@RestoreIt]

Hey Fran! I did some research, this is not the case. Both can be used.

[@jimmyroos1677]

What would the amount of oil be ???

[@ShaunHensley]

Why the use of grease when the factory used gear oil?

[@TheDaf95xf]

Excellent attention to detail buddy 🤩🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@frk380]

Restoration is complete with the help of roman 👍

[@RestoreIt]

Good ol Roman!

[@electronic7979]

Very good video

[@nokbeen3654]

Fabulous work, buddy. Well done ❤️🤩 But, from a feelin human, I’m working on an offshore drilling rig, and having experience around pressure, i just have a little headsup. That scene in the beginning, where you pressed out the shaft, please avoid those angles and length. You should’ve moved your workpiece to the highest position and used a smaller, and wider tool to press with. That thing you did there, could’ve flinged off at projectile speeds, and maybe turning into someones last day.

[@nitt3rz]

Another good episode as always.

[@markharris7662]

Really interesting video. Really enjoyed it. Those Germans build stuff to last.

[@CrToloss]

Good Job Man... Thank you..!

[@robinwalton-gm5ms]

For the cans we turned a round steel billet up with radiussed lip, put under a pressure with support tube for the main body then the lip turned over just a Mercedes produced it.

[@coolissimo69]

Great to watch you back with another great video.

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks mate. Been a while. Back on the grind now with four more vids in the bag!

[@IQ.Cars.Airplanes]

This is factory job !! great result, I enjoyed watching.

[@DowntimeMedia]

Man, I wish I could paint half as well as you do with my collection of spray cans. Could you make a video sometime of your spray process?!

[@BEUSA42]

Excellent video

[@Tigerfire75]

Silicone spray would help get the boots on. Could you also take a very wide chisel and cut a curve into it to match the cases?

[@ДмитрийНиколаевич-ж8в]

hello from Russia

[@jonathanhinchliffe672]

How apt that working with broken shafts is sponsored by an E.D company

[@M1LAD81]

😂

[@rashidmohcin1672]

Simply the best 👍👍👍💪💪💪💪💪

[@AdventureNa]

I know why you didn't try the pneumatic boot stretcher. The OEM boot wont stretch enough to go over the can. However you can stretch an aftermarket universal boot over the can with the tool. I've been here before.

[@Djwally13]

It's too bad you didn't have Lathe, it could have helped crimp the caps on a little cleaner. I hope it doesn't leak. It's definitely better than it was before though. 😁👍

[@jimmyroos1677]

If u don't use the special crimping tools, the joint can leak grease.

[@nikxohs3925]

factory painting was hardly one layer and last 40 years. now will be ok for 100.nice work

[@Mr88kERN]

I hope the boots don't slip off the new cans, the lip seems tiny🙊 great video!

[@RestoreIt]

I thought that! But then again these clamps clamp hard af...

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

@@RestoreIt which is good although can make it tear.... ask me how I know hahaha

[@RestoreIt]

Febi must have done some testing to make sure boots stay on, surely? Haha.

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

@@RestoreIt I would like to think so. Had an astra a few years back that I replaced the outer cv joints on. I cannot remember the brand of the aftermarket cv joints i used on the axle but the area for the boot to grip onto appeared smaller than oem. And no matter what I did the boots kept sliding off when turning turning wheel, I used some good clips and tightened it like a mfer. It held for a couple weeks but then ripped the boots.. ended up buying oem cv joints.. the boot lip area was bigger and never had the problem after that. The aftermarket world of parts is a minefield!!! Lol. Normally febi do have their shit together though in my experience. I should have just tried their joints but hey, hindsight and all that lol. I just got fed up and went with the option I knew would work!

[@parma786]

Good jobs thanks very much God bless everyone around shops ❤

[@RODZILLA65]

Nice work!

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks Rod!

[@danielbriggs7110]

Nice finish 😁 Personally I would have had them chromed

[@barneykennett9282]

Excellent work...👍.

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

Very nice work.

[@ulmanito5237]

Very very good made!!!!

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you :)

[@ulmanito5237]

@@RestoreIt i have an W123 to on my canal

[@WorkingAxle]

That parts washer could do with some love from 'Restore it!'

[@ast1527]

You are a legend mate. Great vids, cheers

[@victormanuelprietoiglesias9843]

Great work!

[@Zaid-Ol73z]

Brilliant!

[@Mr229357]

Nice work 😊👍🏻👍🏻

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks Magnus!

[@jm1551701]

as a retired tech. we never ever r&r these axles we just replaced with new, a true high output commercial repair shop would never waist the time, got to get them in and out, even if i did a side job of this type of repair i still would never r&r

[@vieyraart2720]

The problem is nothing is going to be better than the west Germany made OEM, not even modern Mercedes part

[@kieranmann9761]

Well done!!

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks Kieran!

[@julienfortune251]

Very good job

[@andrewedwards6548]

Always great seeing an upload. Top man as ways

[@zaszz]

loyal old boots still holding oil after 40 years

[@RestoreIt]

I did think fair play

[@ptroinks]

Your skills are mind boggling! Are you a trained mechanic? Just amazing work!

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

Hes not. He's just taken the time and effort to research, learn and practice skills and have a bit of confidence in himself. It's amazing what you can do with these attributes. He's learned alot and taught me a few things that I didnt even know before with some of his restorations. Anyone can do anything they put their minds too! So give it a go buddy. Go do an oil change and replace the filters in your car. You'll discover how satisfying it is to do it yourself and how good it feels!

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you, Phil. You're spot on about me and everyone else. The internet is an amazing tool. Great comment.

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you Ptroinks! Please see Phill's comment :)

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

@@RestoreIt years ago id never done anything. I watched a video on how to do an oil change, one of Eric the car guys first videos, I was one of the first 50k subscribers to him lol and now I have a garage filled with special tools, engine crane, 200l air compressor, Lord only knows how many tools. But yea... your a credit to all of us serious diyers. The attention you pay is admirable throughout so many frustrating points in restorations and I think we are both alike in that we both seek the perfect result, just making it work isn't good enough! It's a curse lol.

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

@@RestoreIt and yes. Out of all the tools available the Internet is by far one of the most useful tools around... if only most people used it for that purpose lol!

[@lucasconstantino3884]

9:25 é a primeira vez que vejo alguém passar massa em uma homocinética.

[@azni4424]

Nice .I wish you more progress

[@Benas272]

Why not to use oil (as it was originally) instead of grease in the boots ?

[@unogazzy84]

You can also make a clamp tool out of an old end cutter/snipper.

[@RestoreIt]

I didn't think of that, good idea

[@unogazzy84]

@@RestoreIt Thanks for the video BTW :)

[@horstszibulski19]

Instead of punching the seams together I had a shop made device in mind, consisting of some round jaws and a thing like a oil filter wrench, the ones with the chain...would that work? Great job, what an effort! :-D

[@josewandasson7641]

What a good work man, thanks a lot it was great

[@CARRJ142]

[@jimsdad3739]

I wonder if the alignment of the CV joint is important. I guess by definition it may not be, but wonder anyway. I'd have painted before the build. Great job regardless.

[@snail415]

I never expect you to disclose what you earn from this work, but if you are up for a challenge, consider a video that discusses how you quantify this level of work (and how clients come to the same conclusion). I ask for this honestly, because there are so many people that want epic work, and they want to pay nothing for it. Of course, amazing work. 2021 thanks you in advance. 🙂

[@MiG21aholic]

Not sure I'd want to pay for this work.

[@stefanramirez1999]

​@@MiG21aholicwhy?

[@wernerdanler2742]

Wow! That was amazing. I bet all new OEM drive shafts cost a lot. I wonder if there are commercially rebuilt ones available that are done this well and if they are cost effective. I have heard cars make a clicking noise in the cv joints. Does that mean the bearings are worn to much, usually on front drive cars?

[@ianrutherford878]

Yes.Because of steering there is a lot more articulation on the outer joints which is a true CV joint and more complex than the inner one.That clicking is the final warning before they disintegrate.

[@arnhemseptember2009]

Looking good!

[@gkkUK]

legend as always cant wait for more

[@pascaljeske7307]

Very good Job Love it more more 👍❤️💙👍

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks Pascal! 👍

[@sonyhk3824]

Perfect 👌 nice job. Cheers

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks Sony! 👍

[@oldskool1979]

Never seen gear oil inside driveshaft boots ! Is it better than grease maybe ?

[@josephpeterson277]

Keep up the great work!

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks Joseph!

[@zaidxperia7283]

Hello >>>> Grease should not be placed inside the rubber Because of the heat, it will turn into a liquid And cause damage to the rubber With centrifugal force

[@PorchGarage]

Amazing attention to detail as always 😊 Why are the replacement ring clamps with screws not as good as the OEM style clamps?

[@kakourosa2955]

vraiment du beau travail bravo

[@Pedro5antos_]

AWESOME CONTENT!!

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks Pedro!

[@paullyczek9358]

Very good job! Mercedes used to make special tools for opening the cans and clamping them together. I can't find them though. Here are the Mercedes numbers: 115 589 40 63 00 for Cutting Tool and 115 589 36 63 00 for Beading Tool for protective sleeve.

[@American_Jeeper]

Job well done. What did the factory use to crimp the cans together?

[@RestoreIt]

Cheers! Something similar to the tool I used I'd imagine

[@MrBlaadieblaa]

They probably had some special tool to roll the lip over.