anyone use a BEARING RACE INSTALLER ? any info on this device would be helpful. Do they come in different sizes? anyone know which style for my 1998 c class front wheel

Check out your local auto parts store. I bought a bearing race set from Pep Boys. Also, check online for Lisle or K-D brand. Regards.

i just use the old race that is being replaced, once out it makes a good tool for installing the new ones

AutoZone has a bearing race installation kit for rent.

__________________
1986 300E (3/2002) Rear ended and totaled (10/2009)
2000 Xterra (5/2000)
1992 400E (11/2009) -Sold
1986 300E (12/2009) - Sold
2004 E500 Wagon (6/2013) - Sold

Any one have any problems keeping the clamping nut on the drivers side wheel bearing? I replaced the wheel bearing inner and outer, and the clamp fell off good thing I was not on the freeway. and secrets to tightening. I'll just guess I did not tighten it up. BTW I need a clamp any body got one they want to get rid of? 1985 300 sd
thanks
thom

your wheel clamp has a 5mm allen head screw?

did you tighten up the clamp then hit with a mallet then back off the clamp, repeat, then set for end play?

BTW i used a Lisle bearing nstaller kit that I purchased from JC Whitney and it worked very well. For me it was easier than using an old race.

Remember: on the c-class install the inner bearings inner race and bearings before installing the grease seal.

Yes that i the one I have 5m alen wrench cap screw. I failed to hit it, and I may have loosened it to assure a good fitment. any hoo it fell off and I lost the clamp/nut and outer bearing.

I used the old race to install. Do the new outer bearing sit flush with the hub? and the grease seal also? I noticed that both seemed to be about an milimeter so from being flush inside the hub. .. in other words it seemed they should have been set further in, but I am confident that I seated them all the way down. perhaps I got a set that was not quite what I ordered, as the grease seal was too big a circumference (had to reuse the old one) and the new grease cap was too small. maybe the folks who sold the bearing to me sold the wrong set??? I bought from a different vendor this time.
thanks for your knowledge and assistance, and I'll smack it this time with a mallet (wood,. I have one).
thom

Me too.

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.

1985 300 sd turbo diesel. And wondering what is the repair book best for the usual repairs having a diesel a bit on that is also needed.
thanks thom

Best books would be the two volume set of the 126 chassis manual from MB and the OM617 turbo manual also from MB.

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.

I use a hot plate or a coffemaker and heat the new race up to expand it, then pick it up with gloves because it is HOT and slide it on the shaft. I learned this technique from rebuilding woodworking moulders that high precision bearings. They actually had a bearing race heater that was an aluminium stepped cone with a heating element.

However, I did not know that the fit on any axle bearing was so tight that you need a bearing race installer. I recently did my W123 front wheel bearings and everything slid nicely on to the axle. When you tighten the axle nut it clamps the inner races to the axle.

__________________
Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

I'm cofussed I can see this for certain applications but not front wheel bearings. They slide right on at ambient temp.

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.

I must admit that after I responded to the post I too was wondering why anyone would need a bearing race installer for any automotive front wheel bearing.

I am not a professional mechanic, but have switched enough front axle bearings and have never needed a race installer. They always just slid on. I also stated this in my last post.

__________________
Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

I think we're having a failure to communicate. The race is the part the bearing runs in. The outer races are pressed into the hub and the bearings are dropped into the races. The inner races slide into place over the axle spindle and are preloaded with the nut with the allen bolt.

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.

I work for a bearing manufacturer. The reason a specialized bearing heater is used to install press fit races is because too much heat from home made heating can take the temper out of the metal, drastically reducing bearing life.

When I say home made heating, this usually refers to people who use torches to heat the part, which I've seen. Using a hot plate or coffee maker sounds fine with me as long as the installer is mindful of not overheating the part. For a DIYer who only needs to install races occassionally, this sounds like a good method instead of buying specialized equipment to clutter up the garage.

__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K