Symptoms
Oil or grease weeping from the steering ball (the big swivel housing behind the hub), play at the wheel, clicking on full lock, torn CV boots.
The fix, step by step
- Do the whole corner at once, as specialists recommend, because bearings, kingpins and CVs wear together.
- Lift and support the axle and pull the wheel and brake caliper.
- Remove the hub nut and lock with the W460 hub-nut socket, then pull the hub and wheel bearings.
- Remove the kingpin caps and bearings, lift off the knuckle, and withdraw the axle shaft and CV.
- Replace the wheel bearings and seals, kingpin bearings and seals, steering-ball gasket and wipe seals, inner axle seal and bronze bushing, then repack and reassemble.
- Ask the supplier for written instructions, which Expedition Imports provides on request.
Tools & part numbers
- W460 front axle service kit (W460AXLEKIT)
- bronze inner bushing 463 337 00 49 (sold separately)
- kingpin bearing 000 981 59 05 ×4, seal 460 997 00 40, cap 460 332 00 33
- steering-ball wipe seal 460 331 01 80
- W460 hub-nut socket 460 589 02 07 00
- 1979–81 trucks use different inner axle seals
Where to buy the parts
Front Axle Service Kit — W460Expedition Imports ↗Amazon ↗
Axle shaft bushing, front 463 337 00 49Expedition Imports ↗Amazon ↗
Kingpin bearing kitExpedition Imports ↗Amazon ↗
CV joint kit — W460Expedition Imports ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Mercedes-Benz G-Class W460 parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.