This site is awesome thats to everyone!!! I am planning on taking the car on my honeymoon and want to regrease the front axles, I am getting new seals but I don't know if I have a large enough 1/2 inch socket, anyone know just how big the axle nut is? My craftsman set goes up to 27 or 28mm.

I don't think you can get a socket on the front hub - its elongated to incorporate a locking 5mm hey bolt. Once you loosen the hex bolt, the nut should turn pretty much by hand. Put a crescent wrench on it.

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tgingrich
'83 300TD 282k
'83 300D 239k
'82 300SD 204k
DFW

Thanks for the info, I just remember getting all ready to change the axle hub on my 97 Buick and hitting a complete stall just when I was getting really into it.

I would follow the Factory Manual way of adjusting the wheel bearings closely. I thoght I could set my by "feel" the way I had done all of the other vehicles I had but it did not work. I ended up over heating the hub and having to change the grease again and start over.
If you are not going to use a dial indicator to check the wheel bearing clearance; after you are done drive the car a block or 2 and carefully put your hand on the wheel and see if it is warmer than normal.
You might want to take a look here:
http://www.pauldrayton.com/uploadfiles/merc/Service/W123/Index/Groups/33FrontSuspension.html
Under- Adjustment of Wheel Bearing and play.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel