Can't find rear wheel bearing removal in service manual CD!
 

1993 W124 service CD; I did the search and have looked in all areas of the CD. Where is (what section-job number) the rear wheel bearing removal/reinstallation in the service manual CD. I have looked under maintenece, drivetrain, suspension, rear axle...ect....

My tech said this is a 5 hour-$500 job!!! I want to DIY but need to find in my CD to see if I can tackle and what special tools. He said the axles have to come off.

I remember MBDOC reporting some time ago that you need special tools to tackle this job. Try the seach facility to locate his comment on this operation.

Hi James, your tech is right. This job is out of reach for all but the most experienced DIYer's. Some members of this Forum will probably dis-agree with me, but unless you've done this job before, bite the bullet and pay your tech to do it. Yes, special tools are required, but previous experience is just as important when tackling this job. Good luck

How can you tell when the bearings (front or rear) need to be changed?

How often should the bearings be repacked or re-greased?

Thanks for any input.

RV
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92 300 TE (m103) 114K miles

you can tell when the bearing goes out because youll hear it and feel it .

that 500 dollars is right I had my bearing replaced and thats what I paid at a dealer Id try a independent shop if I were you.

It is job number 35-115 under rear axle (chassis and body)on the W124 service CD (9 pages), thanks myarmar!

GOOD GOSH!!!!! you have to dismantle the whole rear axle and wheel carrier!! Special tools galore; extractor/puller 140 589 03 61 00, puller 201 589 01 33 00, socket 201 589 05 63 00, 12 point 30mm collar socket 126 589 02 09 00. Good news is no mention of a spring compressor. Damn this car is not easy to work on like the W126. The $500 quote is from an independant shop. While I am at it might as well replace all bushings, camber struts, mounts, shocks, control arms..... a total rebuild since its all apart?

ako my car has a rumble sound under the back seat near the wheel wells, you can hear it at all times especially when I decelerate and coast, plus they shook the rear wheel on the lift, there is a quage used to check it also for play in the mantience section of the service CD.

Just spent $644 for front ball joints/a-arm bushings and front end alignment for this car last week. $700 for a used flywheel replacement on my W126 last month. These cars are killing me!

I would like to DIY but I don't know?

Can I just start on page 4 of 35-115; apply parking brake, loosen 12 pt collar nut (special tool), press tight seated rear axle shaft (bearing?) using extractor. Looks like brake disc and calipers are still attached, disengage parking brake cables......dissassembly stops here? do I need to take off brake sheild? or dissassemble any further...i.e. axle shafts, camber struts?

This may not be as bad as I posted before if this is all there is, just getting the extractor 140 589 03 61 00 and 30mm 126 589 03 61 00 special tools.

James L

Where are you getting the extract from?

I have the same problem and I want to DIY

I think I can get around all other tools, but the extractor is a must!

xp

Rear Bearings
 

This is not a difficult job per say. I just did both my rear bearings.
Just detach all the kinks to the rear hub, tap it out, so that the rear hub comes off the flange. Take it to a shop, have them press it out on a hydraulic press. I paid like $40 to the shop to do both.
I also replaced all the links and am in the process to replace the differential mounts. This is on a 1989 300TE, 124 chassis
It is not very difficult.
Barry

I did not DIY! Saw my tech do it:

lowered exhaust/supported, removed both axle halves, BIG MB air driven puller for wheel hubs, another smaller MB to press out bearing once hub is off. Had to use this tool two ways; one to pull 1/2 of bearing out then rearrange tool and then push out other 1/2 of bearing from back side of wheel carrier. Tight, had to really use force. Paid $500.00+ for both rear wheel bearing kits plus rear wheel alignment.

Not a job for the driveway and you need these special tools to do it right, plus expect stuck/seized parts.

The W124 rear wheel bearings are the hardest wheel bearing job of all the MB cars according to my tech.

Rear Bearings
 

Yes, it depends on one's mechanical ability, how much time one has and also if you have another car available. I was taking my time in doing this job as I had never done this before. I have not worked on any model besides the 124 chassis.
Rear Hub removal is easy by disconnecting all the links.
Then, in my case the joint/bushing in the rear hub was bad
so, while the fellow was pressing out the hub and the bearing
I also had them press out the bushing.
If these are bad, then generally other rubber bushings need to be closely looked at. My differential bushings were cracked, so replaced those.
Barry