Is Pulling Out Rear Hub A DIY Job? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chupr98 · #1 05-15-2003, 01:28 AM

Hi Guys,

I finished the front upgrade (400E calipers ) and like to do the rear as well. Many postings suggest the rear is much harder to do.
Can someone who had pulled out the rear hub ( W124 ) please tell me what kind of special tools are needed for this job.

Thanks,

Peter

#2 05-16-2003, 03:42 PM

Woooah wait, you don't have to take off the hub to replace the calipers....do you? I was just about to take off my calipers and disc yesterday to figure out what was going on with my e-brake but I ran out of time. I thought you just had to take off the caliper, then the disc. The hub stays intact as I believe.

chupr98 · #3 05-17-2003, 01:39 PM

Hi Chris,

Normally you don't have to, but I am going with 400E calipers and rotors in the rear, the bigger rotors touch the 300E dust shields, and I like to use 400E dust shields. Many members suggest cutting the 300E's, I might if pulling the rear hub requires too many special tools

Thanks

Maddog · #4 05-17-2003, 10:28 PM

Just cut your dust shields. The extra work isn't worth it.

gsxr · #5 06-05-2003, 03:24 PM

I am starting my E420 brake upgrade too. I researched the rear hub question a while ago. Several expensive special tools are required. I was told that even the dealer techs curse under their breath when a car comes in that needs the rear hub pulled, and THEY have the special tools! That doesn't make it sound like an easy or fun job.

The rear wheel bearing is destroyed during this procedure, btw.

What I plan to do is cut the stock dust shields. In the future, I may get new rear wheel bearings and have them installed at the dealer, and request than the E420 splash shields be installed while the tech has everything apart (I'll supply the parts ). That will delay the cost, since I don't want to spend the extra $$ right now. I think it will be at least $500 labor plus ~$150 in parts.

Peter, what brake pads did you use? I got Textar Euro pads, but would have liked Porterfields if they were cheaper. Here's a photo of my calipers all painted (G2 caliper paint kit), just waiting to be installed:

http://www.meimann.com/images/mercedes/W124_brakes/calipers_painting.jpg

(relax, those hoses are not being re-used.

) More photos will be uploaded to that directory when I start the project - will take lots of before & after shots!

Regards,

chupr98 · #6 06-06-2003, 03:58 PM

Hi Dave,

That looks a lot neater than what I did!. BTW, do you know if SEL(W126) rear calipers work with W124? I will work on mine rear pretty soon.

To answer your question, I just used Pagid (OEM) pads on the front. this way I can evulate the difference between the single piston and the 4-piston calipers' clamping power. I think the improvement is enormous. Better pads later if I still need more stopping power.

gsxr · #7 06-06-2003, 04:12 PM

I have no idea on the 126 rear calipers, but I'm pretty sure they will not work. You want either 500E/400E rear brakes, or possibly SL rear brakes (R129) but that may require a hub change - I'm not sure. Glad to hear you thought it was a big improvement! I'm very curious myself...

chupr98 · #8 06-07-2003, 09:16 PM

Hi Dave,

I spent this morning at a local mercedes wrecking yard and bought 2 rear calipers from a W124 (no trunk lid and hood left), therefore I can't tell what year is the vehicle. The rotor has mercedes parts # 124 423 08 12 stamped on it.

You are the first one I thought of, you seem to have done a lot of homework on this subject. From your huge spreadsheet, can you trace back and tell me which year of W124 is it?

Thanks,

gsxr · #9 06-07-2003, 11:01 PM

124-423-08-12 is the rotor to the 400E and E420. The part number was buried on the bottom of my brake spreadsheet.

If you scored those calipers for under ~$50 each, you got a good deal! I hope you picked up the rotors too if they were in decent shape (and cheap), since new rotors are $50+ each...

chupr98 · #10 06-08-2003, 12:16 AM

Hi Dave,

I paid CAD$ 65.00 each for them. OK shape.

So are they the same as 94-95 E320's? Too many combinations!!

Now I have to buy rotors as well, that is the reason for my question, I don't know what year and model did these calipers came from

Thanks

speedy300Dturbo · #11 06-08-2003, 12:52 AM

I'll start my brake upgrade as soon as my darned final exams are over. Anyway, I got ahold of the entire front brake assembly from a late 300CE (same as 400E) and am wondering if the stock 15-inchers have enough clearance for the 4-piston calipers. Can someone stick their spare tire on the front and see? I'd rather find out before, rather than after, the brakes are installed.

Thanks!

gsxr · #12 06-08-2003, 10:17 AM

Peter,

If the calipers are the match for the part number you gave me, no, they fit ONLY the 400E/500E (1992-95). Those were the only 124's that had vented rotors (except a few rare wagons, but let's ignore that.) The E320's have solid rotors in the rear (9mm thick) instead of the 400E's vented (24mm thick). They will be a big upgrade in size over your stock rear brakes though, 20mm larger diameter, and vented for better cooling.

Speedy, I *think* they will fit as they're only 10mm larger, and the E320's came with 15-inch wheels. However they may have changed the later model wheel part number (1992) to clear them. I don't have mine installed yet so I can't check.

You could look in the EPC and see if the 198x wheels are the same part number as 400E wheels, or the 1992/93 E320 15-holers...

chupr98 · #13 06-08-2003, 11:32 AM

Hi Dave,

So these calipers are from 93-95 400E and E420, now I can go and buy a pair of rotors for them tomorrow!

BTW, have you decided to pull the hub or just cut the shields for now? I read from 2phast site he only cut the top of the shields, do you know how much to cut?

Thanks,

gsxr · #14 06-08-2003, 03:27 PM

Yep, if the calipers came from a car with the rotor part number listed above, it was a 92-95 W124.034 (I assume it wasn't the .036, given the rarity of those). When you take off the old rotor, you'll see that the splash shield kind of "bulges" out around the edges part way around, mostly near the top. That's what you'll need to cut, or bend, or something to make room for the larger rotor. I haven't done it myself yet but I'll take some photos when I do. Rik (2phast) has some good photos of what's required on his site.

I am very curious to see if you notice any difference in braking power with the larger rears, or if most of the improvement in feel is from the 4-piston fronts. With the larger, vented rears you'll definitely gain fade resistance.

chupr98 · #15 06-09-2003, 03:00 AM

Hi Dave,

I jut be informed by Rik that he had to cut the shields with an air scissor which I do not have, any suggestion of alternative tools?

Thanks,