W126 Rear Wheel Bearings Replacement

[Markjw]

Hi,
I know what everyone said, (Don't try and do the rear wheel bearing at home) but I did. I was short of cash and the bearing had totally collapsed and worn into the flange. Let me tell you now, it was back breaking. After doing it I realise I should have bought a good second hand assembly, unbolted the old one, pulled out the handbreak cable, removed the entire assembly and replaced it with the good second hand one.
My problem is I may have tightened the bearing nut up too tight.
I tightened it up pretty much as tight as it would go. There seemed to be a little freeplay in it. Should I loosen it up a touch?
Mark

[stevebfl]

The rear wheel bearings on the swing axle suspensions are set up like pinion bearings in a differential.

This means they are squeezed until a crush washer between the inner races is crushed such that the bearings are tight (NO endplay) and it takes a prescribed force to turn the assembly. The force on differentials is about 10-20 inch pounds.

This force (10-20 inlbs) is that which it takes to spin the flange. This force is due to the bearings running tight. Loose bearings such as properly tightened front wheel bearings would have no such force to spin the front flange.

I am guessing that you haven't started to get it tight. Feel the flange. Can you feel endplay. If so you are still way too loose. Over the years I have stripped out a half dozen new nuts trying to get them tight enough. I now start by dimpling the crush washer with a hammer to cause a stress riser that facilitates its crushability.

[Markjw]

Thanks for your reply, now that its all together and drivable I'll take it to my Merc tech and let him have a look and make any adjustments.
Mark