Hi All!

So I've got a 84' 300D (123). Got it inspected. Was told that one of the rear brake hoses was cracked (needs to be replaced). And the rear right bearing needs replacement. Car has 165,000 on it. Don't have repair history on these two things, I'll be checking out the hose hopefully tomorrow (if it stops raining.)

Questions: I was quoted about 170.00 for each job. I went online and found a rear brake hose for 17.00 and a rear 'outer' bearing for 25.00. Thinking of getting the parts myself. But, is there also an rear 'inner' bearing? Because i haven't come across one. And when this mechanic says 'brake hose' is he speaking about these 30cm hoses i keep seeing?

Appreciate the help. This forum is great!

Rob

With the term "brake hose" I'm thinking of the relatively short (might be 30 cm, but I was thinking they were a little shorter) flexible hoses that connect the hard lines to the calipers. I believe I paid about ten dollars each for these. I replaced them, along with both rear rotors and calipers (loaded) in about an hour and a half in a parking lot, and I took my time. Total parts cost for all that stuff was about $230 from NAPA after core refunds.

I haven't tackled a rear bearing yet, but I was told they are a bear.

Just the hoses should take about ten minutes per side, plus bleeding, assuming they aren't corroded into place. BTW, if one side is bad, the other probably isn't far behind, so you may as well do both.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

I agree, the hardest part of the job is bleeding the brakes, if you can do that the rest of the job is a piece of cake.

If they are quoting $170 bucks for a rear bearing replacement, have them both done. Fast!!

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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

Keep in mind that not everyone knows how to do Mercedes rear wheel bearings. It requires a special tool and to be tightened to a specific torque.

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1982 300CD Petrol/Black Leather

Agreed, rear brake hoses are easy. If you've ever bled the brakes on a car before, or are good at following instructions in a Haynes manual, then you won't have any trouble.

Bearings are a huge pain, however. What symptoms made them think it was the rear bearing, and is this a 'regular' shop, or a Mercedes specific shop? A quote that low for the bearings means they may not understand whats entailed, and they could either screw it up, or charge you way more than the estimate...

peace,
sam

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"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

if the hose wasnt leaking, personally, i wouldnt change it.

and why does he think the bearing is bad? i have owned 29 benzes and never had a rear wheel bearing go bad.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.