Front axle
Hello
As most of you know, I have had an altercation with a Volvo which has mashed up the front of my G. I have been told by the body shop that the chassis is fine and that the only possible problem is if when they get it on the jig, the axle needs replacing. I have also been told that axles cost a bomb new so I would just like to sound people out about what I would be likely to pay for a secondhand one for a 1993 300GDS
Could anyone give me a rough idea.? Can PM the chassis number if required. It may be that I don't need one as I have also been told that it is quite hard to bend an axle on a G, which I hope is the case. The crunch was at about 25mph so am keeping fingers crossed.
Cheers
my guess would be that your steering control arms will have taken the hit and axle damage is very unlikely
Was it frontal with the Volvo - unlikely to affect the axle.
I had a hit and run to the front off side of mine many years ago - pushed the G up and over a kerb where it was parked. Hit just behind the centre of the front wheel and no problems with that.... just stoved in the wing at that point.
I did a bit of digging to find the bugger that did it on a Friday night, as I think it was local, but no joy. Their car must have been a mess as half the headlight glass was on the road. Left it like that for a while and got it repaired when I had a lower respray and other work done. Wing pull out nicely and just needed a new rubber wheel arch.
Any pics of your damage - doesn't sound too bad if its driving.
Anything is possible, but I have had quite a few “misunderstandings” with G’s, and one of their strongest points in opinion is their strong axles, if I haven’t managed to damage one yet, I doubt your little encounter would have. I would first and foremost ask the repairer to take a proper look. When catching Zebra in South Africa I drove into a ant-bear hole at about 40ml/h. This caused the car to almost head over heels, it jumped a good 8 meters forward, and I came to a rest facing the wrong way. This is a relative common accident when doing this type of job, and it usually requires a new front suspension and diff. With the G the alignment was not even out, but I did smash the alloy.
I know of an axle, so if needed I could get you a price.
Good luck
Hello Audiominx,
Can your w/shop guys elaborate as to the extent of damage to the axle to justify its replacement or can they get away with repairing the damaged component?
Would you be OK to give your chassis number on the forum other PM it to me.
Cheers,
There's a selection on Germany ebay, if that gives a good indication:
http://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_nkw=mercedes+g+achse&_sacat=See-All-Categ...
Ps. if the link doesn't work go to www.ebay.de and type in "mercedes g achse"
The front axle is a 730.305 type AL 0/3 C-1,3/5,286
and is W463 Wide Track type with ABS and a 37:7 or 5.286 Ratio and diff lock
Yawn Yawn Yawn
I am off for a nap!!!!
I seriously doubt steering colum is touched either. You've got to get past a huge bit of chassis to get close, and I am struggling to imagine how a glancing collision as you describe can have been worse than some body panels and bumper bits? Dont want to underplay the crash mind, but we all know how these insurance jobs can get out of hand.
Funnily enough, just writing an arsey letter to the insurance company about all the 'injuries' he has developed two weeks later!!! Was fine at the time.
Save for a scratch where the aerial caught it, the bonnet is absolutely fine.
I think the main problem with the insurance may be the cost, not the actual damage. This is why I am having a bodyshop I know and trust doing it rather than the 'approved repairers'. No offence to them as I know nothing about them, but they tend to be main dealer prices, which would not be helpful for a 17 year old G
Steering column will be fine.
It would have to take out the Steering Box to get to it and it wont have happened.
I would almost put my house on that, the axle and steering box and column are all untouched.
Steering Drag Link and Tie Rod are maybe bent but i even doubt that!!!
but other than that everyting else is very heavy castings so i would be very very suprised if there is any deeper damage.
That is good to hear. Apparently, their engineeers don't even bother to come out. It all depends on cost. You saw what the estimate was for and most of that was parts, which would be similar wherever it went.
Just awating confirmation to go ahead now
Everything crossed for you!!!!
Good Luck
Highly unlikely that you would damage the axle.
Mine gets extreme abuse in off-road trials with the AWDC - having to get enough speed up a slope that the front wheels get 1m of air under them before crashing down to ground. The only damage I have done is to internal parts (CV joints and one sheared shaft) so you should be OK. Externally, I haven't even bent a steering arm.
It may be that your garage is being ultra-cautious (or getting ready to rip you off?) but if anything had happened it would be pretty obvious. If the vehicle was drivable after the crash you should be OK.
Worst case scenario - try ebay.de as new from M-B will be very expensive, unless your insurers are paying!
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Thanks, I slid down the side of him as he came round a bend in my lane. It was slow because the road is so windy and as I was trying to take evasive action, I caught the side of his car with the corner of my wing. His was a complete write-off. From what oyou have all said, it SHOULD be OK, I was just pre-empting problems. The body shop are waiting for confirmation from the insurance company before they strip it right down
Suspect steering column has suffered though.