Ouch! I' guessing they rarely fail?

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Yep, they last a good long time....

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Ok, so I know this might be cheating.... but would it be easier to just replace that whole rear arm with a junkyard replacement? I'm thinking $100.

With trial and error for the last 4 days, I can now have that whole arm off in about 15 minutes. Seems better than a 6h job.

You're not charging $80/hour!

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

So, what leads one to replace the rear bearings in a 123 or 126? Does one routinely repack them at any fixed interval, or does this job only get done "routinely" when the rear axle shaft needs to come off anyway?

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Der Panzermann und Fraulein Fahrvergnuegen

1991 420SEL 201K "The Big Blue One"
1985 300DT 205K chassis/285K engine nee California emissions "Goldbug"
1983 300TDT 255K "The Womble"
1983 300 DT 214K "Sea Sprite"-Rear-ended a truck
1983 300SD 285K "The Donor" Gave his life so that others can live
1980 500SL Euro 105K "Der Panzer"

I got a quote from a local suspension place that did work on my Dad's '95 C-280. $879 to replace the bearings, and $1100+ to replace the control arm.

I called the local junk yard and told them what I needed, and they have the driver side control arm for $150 with bearings already pressed in. I'm headed down there on Thursday to pick it up. I think the hardest part I'll have with the whole process is figuring out how to take the rear seat off to gain access to the top bolts of the shock. I'll post with pictures later of the job and how it goes.

So, how d'ya get on with the arm swap? I only ask cos it's just exactly 100% what I think I'm gonna do as a work around on my rear bearings. Anything you can tell me to watch out for??
Cheers
Giles

The arm wasn't really that bad to replace. I think the hardest part was finding an extra 2 hands. It can be done with one person, but two really did the trick. Here's what happened when my rear bearing seized on the freeway.
www.cityhicks.com/merc/

If you want more detailed instructions let me know and I'll post them.

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http://www.cityhicks.com

87 Honda Accord LXi (sold)
72 Chevy Chevelle 4-door 350 (sold) :'(
91 Nissan 240sx (sold) :'(
92 Toyota Celica (sold)
89 Chevy G-20 Conversion Van (sold)
91 Honda CRX (sold to friend)
81 Lincoln Continental (pimp ride project - sold) http://tinyurl.com/2nddq7 :'(
90 Nissan 240sx (waiting for tranny)
91 Cadillac Brougham Limo 350 (party cruiser)
06 Tank 150cc Scooter (destroyed)
90 Geo Metro Off Road Monster: http://tinyurl.com/36ry87
83 300D Turbo Diesel ~276k

Can the bearings be "repacked" while still on the hub? I mean if the wheel is off and the rotor is there access to the bearing at all?

Not really. The hub should be removed. When you reinstall, get new crush spacers & possibly hub nuts. You'll need the special socket to retorque. If you have a lot of experience setting bearings, you can get it right without a dial indicator. The job in general is not for a novice. My 2 cents. Paul.

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1984 300CD red/blk 290,000 partial resto
1980 240D 4 sp Brn/palomino gone
1997 Mazda Miata STO edition wife's baby
1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC next resto
1986 Subaru GL wagon daily
1993 Isuzu pickup field beater
2008 Honda Civic EX-L 5sp wife's new car
1978 Honda XL350
1974 Honda XL70 my Calif. ride in HS

C Holmes,

NO, wheel bearings can not be repacked with out taking the bearing asembly apart.

This means U must remove the axle and turn out the bearing carrier nut with a special tool. When U reassemble the bearing assembly, U are supposed to replace the crush washer.

Too bad they don't put a grease fitting to lub the rear wheel bearings like on my old 180D. That thing had about 30 grease fittings.

P E H