I'm having a hell of a time getting the wheel bearing cap back on.

Trying the old and the new ones. Tapping with punch around the edges always pops one side in and the other out.

I've tried hammer lightly around the cap, which never goes in straight. I've also tried with a block of wood in front of cap.

There is a small indentation at center, but I'm not sure if this is strong enough to withstand direct hits from a punch?

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W201 1989 190D

Try using a socket or pipe that goes over the cap and catches the lip on the outer edge so that you hit straight on.

Is there too much grease in the cap preventing it from going on?

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

I thought about too much grease, but most of the interior of the cap isn't coated, so no.

Will try to find a pipe that fits.

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W201 1989 190D

I always just hit it with whatever is handy. Usually a dead blow hammer or whatever was used to take it off. Hit the high side if it starts crooked.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

You need a good hammer like 2lb and a block of hard wood and show it who the gaffer is.You could file the edge a little to let it centre up .But clean all grease out after because it will catch all the swarf in the grease [ metal bits ] Dont over fill it with grease , or it will find its way in to the braking ststem .

Clean out the old one and use it as a drift to drive the new one on.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Excellent ideas, thank you! Heading to the garage now...

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W201 1989 190D

I've always used a plastic mallet with no trouble. The genuine mercedes caps are a lot tougher than the aftermarket. I've found the aftermarket caps will deform with even moderate hits from the mallet, while the OE parts do not. Some use a piece of pipe fthat's sized to fit over the cap top, and drive the cap on using the raised lip of the cap.

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1998 E300 turbodiesel

America's Rights and Freedoms Are Not The Enemy!

I did dent the aftermarket ones, but left them on as it seemed to not pinch. Used a rubber-headed deadblow. I kept the originals in case.

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W201 1989 190D