I was cruising on the highway today in the 300 SDL at the end of a 240 mile trip when my antilock brakes started going crazy. I limped home (about a mile) removed the hot wheel and found that the outer wheel bearing was destroyed.

The trouble is the remains of the race is siezed to the spindle. Should I simply replace the spindle or is it worth the effort to try to save it?

If I should replace the spindle then should I also look at replacing other things in the front end as long as I have it apart?

I would get a used spindle. The race has probably reduced the size of the spindle as it rotated.

I have fixed this problem many times and most of the time we don't use a spindle though. I would cut the race with a carbide grinder worked back and forth (perpendicular to the spindle) till one area is milled to within a fraction. The race can then be split with a chisel. If it won't break loose with one cut do it again at least 90deg around.

Once the race is off try the new one. It should slide on snugly with no up and down play.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Steve,

Thanks for the suggestion. It worked great. Polished up the spindle and the new bearing went on perfectly.

Again, thanks for the help.

Jack