ponton wheel bearings

[Douglas Broome]

In the service manual for pontons I do not find instructions for preloading/torquing/setting the front hub roller bearing when reinstalling them after regreasing. Anyone know of the specs.? Thanks.

[cth350]

The 1960 TDM, says that the 180a up to 220SEb have an "Axial Clearance of Front Wheel Hub (wheel bearing clearance)" of 0.01-0.015, measured with device 136 589 04 21 and dial guage; adjustable by clamping nut on stub axle.

If you ask the same question to the veterans mailing list at http://www.mercedes-veterans.com, you might get a more useful answer. There are lots of Ponton owners there. Several are folks that did this for a living on Pontons "way back then".

-CTH

I was told by a Mercedes trained mechanic years ago to tighten the wheel nut to the point where the wheel will not turn, go away and wait at least ten minutes. Come back and loosen the wheel just enough so the wheel turns freely. The tightening and waiting time, is to allow the seal to get seated. I've used this method for 34 years, and it's worked every time.
Bill Lewallen Lexington,Ky. If I listed all The Mercedes I have owned over the past 34 years,it would take up to much room on this forum..So, let,s just say I have owned a few.

[Douglas Broome]

Many thanks for the advice. Thanks to a fellow ponton owner on the mercedes-veterans page, I found the instructions in the service manual. There, it appears more formidable than it really is, I think. Appreciate your help.

[Aaron]

Yes, tighten it to the point that you cannot turn the wheel then, back the nut off maybe 1/4 turn or so and leave there. Give the kingpin a sharp blow with a rubber mallet to relieve preload tension.

[Douglas Broome]

It did it. At a local tech session I repacked the bearings. Drop dead easy. Thanks for the advice. It was useful.