Just a few thoughts on rear wheel bearing replacement for those planning on someday doing their own. The Mercedes shop manual is a good place to start. If you read the procedure and understand it thoroughly it helps. The special tools you absolutely need are the socket to remove and install the bearing nut, a slide hammer that AutoZone rents or loans and a dial indicator for measuring the end-play(should be .001-.002"). First, that nut is TIGHT. It takes about 250 lbs./ft. to get the proper end-play so if you don't think you can muster that much, it's better to take it to a garage. When you are on your back it is difficult, I was sore for a week. The manual tells you to use a special holding fixture to keep the stub axle stationary. I used some scrap steel bolted to the axle flange and a steel bar going through that and leaning into the floor. This worked out pretty well but it took some experimenting to get the proper hole pattern. The slide hammer is crucial to have too. Getting the stub axle out of the trailing arm when it's been there for 200,000 miles is impossible without it. Don't even think about trying to do the job with a homemade socket, the proper one is absolutely critical.

Here's a pic of the axle swung out of the way:



Here's my homemade holding fixture:


And here's the dial-indicator setup for checking the endplay:

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83 M-B 300D- daily driver
83 240D gray market
2002 VW Jetta TDI- beater