Inner constant-velocity joint - Dismantling, inspecting for wear, assembly - AR35.30-P-0660-03A

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 42 other vehicles, including the 1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 1999 Mercedes-Benz S500, 1999 Mercedes-Benz S420, 1999 Mercedes-Benz S320, and 1999 Mercedes-Benz CL600. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Rear axle shaft has been reinforced at ball retainer

Model 129

BT35.30-P-0001-01A

Disassemble

Mark relative positions of joint ring, joint hub and ball retainer before dismantling using electric scriber or whetting stone.
Swivel joint hub and ball retainer and remove individually in turn.
Remove joint hub and ball retainer from joint ring.

Fig 1: Identifying Relative Positions Of Joint Ring, Joint Hub And Ball Retainer Mark
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Fig 2: Identifying Joint Hub And Ball Retainer
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.
Swivel joint hub toward ball cage by 90° and remove.
Clean all parts.

Fig 3: Swivel Joint Hub Toward Ball Cage
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Check

Check joint ring, joint hub, ball retainer ball raceways and ball bearings for depressions (pitting) and traces of wear (arrows).
If these parts are extremely worn, the entire CV joint must be replaced. Smooth areas and tracks caused by the ball bearings are no reason to replace the CV joint.

Fig 4: Locating Wear Points On Joint Ring, Joint Hub And Ball Bearings
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Assemble

Place joint hub in vertical position to ball retainer and insert.
Insert one ball bearing, paying attention to the markings on the joint hub and the ball retainer.
Insert joint hub with ball retainer and ball bearings into joint ring, also paying attention to markings (arrow).

Fig 5: Swivel Joint Hub Toward Ball Cage
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Fig 6: Inserting Joint Hub With Ball Retainer And Ball Bearings Into Joint Ring While Paying Attention To Markings
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

If no markings have been made, assemble the joint ring such that the narrow side of the ball raceway always faces the wide side of the joint hub or vice-versa (arrows).
Align the joint hub with the ball retainer to the extent that one ball after the other can be inserted in each case.

Fig 7: Identifying Narrow Side Of The Ball Raceway Facing The Wide Side Of The Joint Hub
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Fig 8: Aligning The Joint Hub With The Ball Retainer
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.