Wheel Baring going out? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JordaanDMC-12 · #1 05-21-2009, 03:06 PM

Sorry everyone, it seems like post after post with me but this came up, and i'm starting to wonder about it.

I try to keep my whitewalls as white and clean as can be but on my front left wheel I keep getting grease streaks on the white wall. Didn't think anything of this until I was told my wheel baring is going out. All have I to do is repack it with grease?

Is this a symptom of a future wheel baring failure and how do I go about fixing it?

Thanks everyone!

TX76513 · #2 05-21-2009, 03:11 PM

...or it could be as simple as your dust cap has come off, loose or leaking. Have your pulled the wheel off and taken a look?

JordaanDMC-12 · #3 05-21-2009, 03:13 PM

I have pulled the wheel off but it was just to do it

I wasn't looking for anything.

I can pull it off now though, what should I took for?

TX76513 · #4 05-21-2009, 03:20 PM

There are several things you can do. One way to check wheel bearing play is to raise the wheels off the ground and rock the tires in an out while watching for any looseness. Spinning the tires by hand is another way to check for bearing problems. Some brake drag is normal, but any noise from the bearings or roughness calls for further inspection. Inspect the seat on the hub dust cover - remove and inspect. Bearings don't loosen up under normal use. So if the bearings are loose, the bearings may be worn, the hub nut may have backed off (a broken cotter pin or retainer), or the bearings were not adjusted properly in the first place.

BodhiBenz1987 · #5 05-21-2009, 05:26 PM

If you're getting grease on the tire, the first thing I would check would be the dust cap. After that I would take the hub off and inspect the inner bearing seal ... grease shouldn't be flying out on either end of the hub. Whatever you find, it would make sense to just clean and repack the bearings anyway. It's a messy job, but not that bad, and should be done periodically anyway. Then set the play according to spec (not sure what that is on a 115) ... Harbor Freight sells a dial gauge and base that together only cost $15 and work great.

Another thing to check would be your brake hoses and caliper bleed screws. leaking brake fluid will find its way all over the wheel in short order, and if mixed with brake dust could probably look like grease.