My son called from town - 6 miles away. Said the front wheel had a slight squeek. By the time he got home, metal was falling out of the front wheel bearing, and the outer bearing race was incredibly stuck to the axle. Does anyone know where i can get one? What price should I expect to pay?

Thanks!

Forgot to say. This is a 1971 220d

If the inner race is welded/stuck to the axle (spindle) you need to change the spindle. The temper is gone from the metal and you'll be living on borrowed time.

If you can remove the race with a couple of sharp raps using a hammer and a cold chisel, you MIGHT be okay to re-use the spindle. If there is any "blueing" or slag marks beneath the race then it's toast.

It's YOUR son and YOUR car. You decide what it is worth to you to prevent a potentially fatal situation.

The bearing itself is just a standard bearing. Pop the dust cap on the other side, remove the locking nut and spacer to get the bearing number. It's not a Mercedes parts only kind of thing. You can pick it up at any parts store. Just give them the bearing number. Don't let them give you a run around about not having any listing for your model Mercedes.

I am pretty sure the spindle is shot. The outer race is the one that is stuck, and it is really, really stuck. I got bearings for it before realizing what shape the spindle was in. Do you have any suggestions for where I might round up a spindle?

Thanks

http://www.car-part.com/

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1970 280S M130 engine- good runner
1971 250 M130 engine- #2 rod bearing, gone
1971 280SE (blown engine,parts car)
1977 German 280S W116-only 33 years old

So what you are saying is the bearing has burned up and now the inner race of the bearing is now frozen to the axle If you can take a cold chisle and cut the old race into without to much force to the spindel now tap the old race off take a flat punch and know old race out of the hub and clean up hub take old grease out of hub and put new grease in you can now take some emery cloth which is sand paper that come 2'' wide and any length, buy 220 grit so you can polish up the surface of the spindel you should be able to polish it enough to allow new bearing to work. do you know how to pack a wheel bearing if you do not you will need to take wheel bearing grease and put into the palm of your hand and push the bearing down onto the grease to allow the grease to fully pentrate from one side and then the other side of bearing all around I can't express this needs to be done properly don't worry about the grease on you hands it will wipe right off press the grease into the bearings and make sure you have packed them wel you can order the front wheel bearings from any auto parts store should have them. now if the spindel is beyound repair that will only be known if you cannot clean up the surface.if you can't then you can order a new spindel from Phil,I have cleaned up many a spindel, what caused it to seaze up what lack of grease. new spindel can be bought with the lower ball joint already installed if you need one.have a mechanic install it.

Give us your location. I'm sure somebody in the group can lead you to the nearest place or has one.

Jim Harris has a 220 in his collection, see parts and ask him, his handle is jh with a bunch of numerals behind it.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

* You've said that the outer race is stuck. I'm assuming that it's just a matter of finding the right removal tool. Or did you spin the outer race in the hub? If the dry bearing locked up in motion, both races could have spun. The inner on the spindle and the outer in the hub (not as likely). Be sure to take a close look at the hub too.
* Most Mercedes parts suppliers sell a nice wheel bearing kit which also includes the seal and grease cap.

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ASE Master Tech
Quality Enterprises
Mercedes Svc. & Restoration
Sheridan, IN
317.769.3536