Wheel Bearings

The rear wheel bearings on my mom's 87 300TD are going, I can tell by the noise. Is this a job I can do myself? If so what would it involve, I basically have every tool a shop does (my dad use to own a shop).

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Adrian Eckenrod
MBCA, PCA, BMWCCA & SCCA* member
86 190 2.3-16
83 944 ITS Racer

This isn't a normal job that should done at home because Several very Special tools are needed! Leave this job to a trained technician.

I have changed wheel bearing on BMW's before, it took me about 45 minutes a side. Is there something different about Mercedes wheel bearings that makes it very difficult? If it is just a matter of tools I will buy the tools, or I could borrow them from my shop. I basically do everything myself on my car. Everything from an engine rebuild to a complete suspension replacement, so I am familiar and comftorable working on every aspect of the car. I am not "trained" yet but I will be going to a 3 year school starting in the fall on buildings race cars from chassis to finished car.

RAE, The wheel flange is pressed into the wheel bearing and requires a very strong special tool to remove it . The bearing is pressed into the hub! also requires special tools for removal!! And to install the flange back into the new bearing also requires a special tool so that the new bearing isn't destroyed. I've done many jobs at home but this is best left to M.B. shops with these tools!!

I strongly agree with the DOC. I have done this and it's no fun.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Adrian,
I wouldn't take that from those two. They are just re-enforcing the auto service racket known as German Auto Service. As some other techs have been quoted in the past: "just pay us all your money and no one will get hurt" Think of it this way...if you try and fail you will have to take it to a shop anyway. If you manage to pull it off on your own just think of the bragging rights! Just in case....does your mom enjoy long walks?

Lee

Thanks for all the advice guys. The main reason I like to do things like this myself is because I race. On a race car things break all the time, and I usually don't have the time nor the money to have a shop do the work. As you might know on a race car you should replace hoses, bearings and other such parts every two years. If I was paying a shop to do all this work I would be walking, because I wouldn't be able to afford gas. I like to use my mom and dads Benz to learn from, so I can be better prepared on my car. I think I will talk this over with my shop, who I am friends with. The owner use to race and sponsors my friend and I. I'll see what he would charge me and weigh the options. By the way, what would you charge to do the work. Then again this could be a chance to buy some new great toys, I mean tools. Hey, I even have a revolving account with Snap On, I'm good friends with my Snap On rep too. It's good to know the right people.
PS: We do have an extra car to drive while I am working on one of my family members cars. However none of us like to drive it, it is so embarassing to be seen in it. It is a BMW 325, boy do I hate that car. Everytime I drive it I thank god I didn't get an M3, the car I was going to get before I saw the 16V.