PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Replacing the rear wheel bearings on a W123, W126

dmorrison · #15 12-02-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Dave, you are becoming the Gold standard of write-ups!
We are all going to be faced with this job on our cars at some point, and you have literally saved some of us hundreds of dollars if we DIY. Thanks so much!!
I'm not totally sure I understand the setting of the hub via the dial calipers. Is it .0015" of "wiggle"?
I guess I will be sure and pick up the dial guage and base at HF next time it's on sale.
Nice job Dave!

Your looking for a movement in and out of the hub. It is very small and usually noticeable on the dial gauge not really by hand.
Place the dial gauge on the hub as pictured and pull it in and out and watch the movement of the dial gauge. As you start tightening it will rotate 1-2 complete revolutions. As you tighten it it will become a smaller and smaller rotation of the dial needle. To the point where you will get only a small arc of movement. On the dial gauge I have, your looking at the needle swinging 1.5 marks. If you go to tight then you start over.

R Leo

Symptoms??

I did not really have bearing failure there actually in fairly nice shape, except for the one I destroyed. I moved the hub against the outer bearings and rotated it, It was smooth. Then I pulled the hub against the inside bearings and again it was smooth. I found it difficult tightening it and actually broke the special socket tabs. So I figured I would just do the whole job so I could learn it, make this post and know that it was done right.
The initial problem was when I put the tire on the hub The whole tire moved in and out about 1/8th of an inch. Definitely not good.

Dave