Repacked my front wheel bearings (81 240d) today and wondered what that brass-springy thing is sticking out of the end of the front axle after removing the cup?

brake wear indicator.. if so how's that work?

That provides a solid electrical ground between the wheel assembly and the chassis....

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

It's a "radio inteference tab"

http://www.diymbrepair.com/Maintenance/Bearing/

Danny

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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does that interfere with the radio?

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.