Rebuild: Swing Axle
EVEN Restored parts need a Review
The rear swing axle is a type of independent suspension system that allows the rear wheels to flex independently so that they maintain contact with the ground despite terrain. This allows for greater control and traction on uneven ground along with reduced unsprung weight.
The swing axle you see here comes from a 1964 W113 230SL and required a complete rebuild after previous service missed a few key details resulting in less than ideal performance and issues that eventually would have required replacement.
When we received the vehicle it had already gone through some service and restoration but after a test drive and inspection we found some unexpected issues. Noise and vibration from the rear indicated that something was amiss, and when we disassembled and removed the pinion from the ring gear, we realized essential shims were missing, allowing the entire interior to move within the assembly when it should have been firmly held in place. While it surprisingly hadn't yet caused any serious damage, this was a problem that would have required replacement of the entire assembly had it gone unaddressed, not to mention making the car largely undrivable due to the excessive noise.
