is repacking front wheel bearing a DIY job?

[apprentice]

i have a 95 c220 and two sets of new bearing kits for the front. how hard is it to replace it? is it a DIY job?

[mbdoc]

You need bearing race installers so that they won't be damaged. Also on MB's the bearings "should" be set-up with a dial indicator(end play). ARE the bearings worn out? most of the time wheel bearings will last more than 100,000mi & even 200,000 if the bearings are packed.

Brother of The Benz, apprentice
With my 1987 W124030 with 176,000 miles, I have the front wheel bearings serviced when the front brake pads are renewed.
I do my front brakes every 40,000 miles.
To properly preload the bearings, as noted, a dial indicator is used to set the free play of the bearing.
With the age of your Benz, why are you replacing the bearings?
It is a rare event for the wheel bearings of a Benz to fail under normal driving.
I would suggest you gain help from a qualified technican, and it isn't a DIY job for the first time anyway.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!

[apprentice]

my car has about 100k miles on it but the front wheels have no free play what-so-ever! i was tricked into buying those bearings when i ordered some other parts so i thought i might give it a try to change the bearings.
thanks guys for the replies, i guess i will wait till i really needed a repacking and i will have a mb mechanic to do it. i hope MB AUTOWERKS will be up and running then.

[P.E.Haiges]

Why change the the brakes so often. I have 120,000+ on my front brakes ('80 300SD)and they are only 1/2 worn. Maybe you should reassess your driving practices.

P E H

[apprentice]

my front breaks only lasted about 25k miles from factory!! i had to change both the pads and rotor for the front and pads for the rear. but my second break job was at 95k miles and the front pad are only 2/3 worn and rear pad are 1/2 worn. they are textar(sp?) brand. the main reason i changed my was to change break hose to ss hoses, paint the caliper red and to replace break fluid.

Brother of The Benz, P.E. Haiges
I am one of the most conservative drivers you'll come across.
I ask my self when braking, am I thinking ahead and braking before I arrive at the stop?
I've owned my 300E since new, and I've never got more than 40,000 miles from my front pads, and rotors every other set of pads. I'm still on the original calipers, front and rear.
Ofcourse I don't allow the sensors to alarm.
I use over the counter OE pads from my servicing dealer.
It's amazing the life you are getting from your brakes.
You have a 1980 model year, with how many total miles?
This must just be your second set and at approximately 240,000 miles.
You should go into the record book for long life or I for short life?
Anyway,
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!

[P.E.Haiges]

Dslwnfrd,

The referenced '80 300SD is used mostly for long trips across the country. I also downshift going down hills instead of dragging the brakes. I don't know the exact mileage on the pads because they were on the car when I bought it. I did replace the rear pads because shortly after I got the car because they went metal to metal. I think they were the original set. The car has 235K miles now.

Why not leave the sensors alarm? Isn't that what they are for? I believe in the slogan: "If it ain't broke or worn out, don't fix it" Worn pads work as good as new ones until they go metal to metal. I like to have about 1/2 millimeter of the pads left when I replace them.

P E H

[vutown]

Guys,
When repacking the bearings, what is a dial tool or instrument? I have the haynes book for the benz, and in the section for replacing the bearings, they do not mention anything this tool, thus making the job seem quite simple, for a job that sounds hard. It's just a matter of about 25 steps? Am I right?

vutown

[P.E.Haiges]

Do they mean a dial indicator? This is a measurement tool that has pointer that goes against what you are measuring to detect the run out, out of round, looseness, Etc. It can also be used to measure height or thicknesses by using it on a surface plate with gage blocks. P E H

Brother of The Benz, vutown
You are another of many thousands who buy these generic M/B servic manuals.
They ain't worth the pater they is printed on!
I know that sounds harsh, but it is the truth.
If you are going to be a DIYer, then get a set of Benz manuals if you can find one or get the CD for your model.
These Generic Manuals cause more harm to a Benz than help.
Doing the front wheel bearing as described in your manual isn't the proper way to do it.
Sorry!
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!

[P.E.Haiges]

I seems that I read in a MB manual that to repack the front wheel bearings all you do is fill the hubcap (not the wheel cover, dummy) with wheel bearing grease and replace the hubcap. I can't understand how even replacing the wheel bearings isn't a DIY job. It is about the most basic service just about one notch above changing a tire. P E H

[Mike Murrell]

I think Benzmac summed it all up in a thread I started awhile back. 0 play and 0 preload. Does one need a dial indicator to determine this has been achieved? I wonder?

Check out the following thread:

Question for M.B.Doc

Repacking front bearings is a no brain job. Find any do it yourselfer over 50 with grease under his fingernails, buy him a six pack and he will show you how to do it.

[vutown]

So in that case, all you need is grease? ( and a 6-pack) What about the inner/outter bearings? Or the instruments to measure the play?