The dealer replaced the center bearing on
my drive shaft a few months ago.
I noticed the other day that the bracket is not straight across but one side is more forward than the other. is this correct?
I have a 78 300D 123 130 120 65513

No


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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

Jeff,
Thanks for the info, Can I go in and loosen
the bolts on each side and straighten the
bracket myself?
Is there any special measurements I need to
consider?

Matthew

Matt, that bearing is mounted in a rubber carrier, so there is some leeway in regards to side to side alignment. What usually happens when you are tightening the bolts is the clockwise motion of the capscrew will tend to move the carrier in the direction of rotation. (Same problem on BMW). Get some flat washers and put them between the lock washer and the slot in the carrier so that in the process of tightening, the carrier does not move. This is not a precision operation, but it should at least look symmetrical. There is, I believe a specification that suggests a gentle forward preload on the bearing (1/32 in or something like that). I'd have to look that one up. Will let you know. Otherwise get it a straight as you can.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

I just replaced the center bearing and am wondering what you were charged, parts and labor?

It's almost impossible to get the bearing ou of the carrier w/o wrecking the rubber. You have to press the bearing assy out of the bearing carrier and replace that component. But, and this is for Matt, you've already done that. So in regards to alignment issue. I checked, and there is no spec for preload, so just get it as straight as you can and you should be fine.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

Jeff,
Thanks I will try to straighten it.

Chris,
I will get the pricing tomorrow

Pricing from dealer
20 bearing
30 carrier
220 labor

Loosened one nut and straightened the carrier
no problem.

Thanks,
Matthew

On the older models, [ 108, etc], it is recommened that the car be rolled by hand back and forth a couple of times before snugging up the carrier bolts. It finds it's own alignment that way.
Don't know about later models, but I have allways done this.
Same for the slide joint nut on the drive shaft

Hey Guys, Not butting in but as I understand it that slight offset of the carrier is for a purpose .

And thats to put some preload on the bearing.

Repair manual does not call for preload, just good straight alignment. I have not been able to find anything related to skewing the carrier to achieve preload. It should be installed perpendicular to the long axis of the vehicle. I believe these are tapered race roller bearings, so if you must preload, make sure the small end of the taper is in the same direction you are loading to, otherwise, you will really help the bearing to disassemble itself further down the road. Just put it in lika da booka saysa to doa.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325