You need to purchase some tools to do it properly, most notably a dial indicator with magnetic base. Play is 0.01-0.02mm I think, check the FSM to be certain. It is hardly anything and will take a few tries to get proper.

At the age of these cars, I just replace my wheel bearings. Why? No telling what PO or PO's shops have messed with them before. The seal goes without saying, replace it. There is no excuse not to do so.

An auto company named 'Lisle' makes many odd tools. This is what I use: http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/products/?product=192 works great.



Just be happy you are smart enough to do them. Most of my 126s had original rotors on the back

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Thanks for your post. I actually want to change everything that I can because I imagine most of it is original. The car is in great shape with only 60k on the odometer and it certainly looks that good. However, as you stated, the car is 20 years old now and needs to have plenty done to bring it up to standards. I have no problem with purchasing what's necessary. However, I'd like to do as much as I can myself provided that I can do it correctly. I started off paying two different Indies to do some things and found that their work left a lot to be desired. No one is going to fix our cars the way we do ourselves. It's obvioulsy the little details make the difference.
I appreciate every respponse I've received and all of the old posts I've read to get to this point. The truth is I never expected that I would be able to do so much work on this car myself. It really is a great feeling knowing that I've done it and it's done right. I can replace so many things for just a fraction of what regular mechanics charge. And I only use OEM or equivalent high quality parts. I do believe in doing it once and doing it right.

Lucky for you the M103 powered W126 is very simple to work on and quite durable. Do not hesitate to ask for help on here, we all encounter issues... although some are more odd than others.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]