Symptoms
Grease or oil weeping from the steering-ball swivels, torn CV boots, wheel-bearing play.
The fix, step by step
- Strip each front corner: hub, wheel bearings, kingpin bearings, steering-ball gasket and wipe seals, inner axle seal and bushing, CV and boot.
- Expedition Imports sells separate kits for 2001-and-older and 2002-and-newer W463s, and 2002-on trucks use a different lower kingpin bearing.
Tools & part numbers
- W463 front axle service kit for your year
- kingpin bearing kit (to 2001) or the 2002-on kit
- steering-ball wipe seal 460 331 01 80
- axle shaft bushing 463 337 00 49
- W463 hub-nut socket
Where to buy the parts
Front Axle Service Kit — W463 2001 & olderExpedition Imports ↗Amazon ↗
Front Axle Service Kit — W463 2002 & newerExpedition Imports ↗Amazon ↗
Kingpin bearing kit (to 2001)Expedition Imports ↗Amazon ↗
CV joint kit — W463 front axleExpedition Imports ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Mercedes-Benz G-Class W463 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.