Repacking front wheel bearings/adjustment - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

leathermang · #1 04-02-2010, 12:11 PM

In case you have not noticed.... the Germans do tend to be very specific when it comes to machines and metals.... which may also play a part in why we are able to keep these old machines going nicely so often and looking good at the same time ....

leathermang · #2 04-02-2010, 04:30 PM

Here is the deal... someone else described it lately...perhaps in this thread number one or something...
This nut can be set anywhere due to its design... the old American style can only be set and locked at certain places determined by the number of castles on the nut and the hole in the spindle.
Many people have posted saying " I have done this for so long, etc. and no bad effects have happened' ... but to me the interesting thing is that they assume a certain bad effect, define it very narrowly , and give their ' all is ok ' report..
Here is another possibility... that in this case... setting the wheel too loose may take 10,000 miles off the life of the front tires... this is not something a normal person would notice or attribute to this setting.... especially since the wear pattern of our MB's is not exactly like what we expect from an unequal length A arm suspension like many older cars..
Anyway, I think it is nice they used part of their multimillion dollar R and D budget over the years to figure out a good system and then print the instructions so we have a chance of getting it right out in our driveway if necessary...

warmblood58 · #3 04-02-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Here is the deal... someone else described it lately...perhaps in this thread number one or something...
This nut can be set anywhere due to its design... the old American style can only be set and locked at certain places determined by the number of castles on the nut and the hole in the spindle.
Many people have posted saying " I have done this for so long, etc. and no bad effects have happened' ... but to me the interesting thing is that they assume a certain bad effect, define it very narrowly , and give their ' all is ok ' report..
Here is another possibility... that in this case... setting the wheel too loose may take 10,000 miles off the life of the front tires... this is not something a normal person would notice or attribute to this setting.... especially since the wear pattern of our MB's is not exactly like what we expect from an unequal length A arm suspension like many older cars..
Anyway, I think it is nice they used part of their multimillion dollar R and D budget over the years to figure out a good system and then print the instructions so we have a chance of getting it right out in our driveway if necessary...

c'mon . . . . we are talking wheel bearings here, as my indy said (exploded might be a better descriptor) "why do people insist on over complicating a very simple procedure"?

leathermang · #4 04-02-2010, 06:40 PM

Why would you call instructions from the people who made the car " over complicating a very simple procedure' ?
I wonder what other types of rules in life you are predisposed to not follow due simply to their ' complicated nature' ( in your opinion ) ?

warmblood58 · #5 04-02-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Why would you call instructions from the people who made the car " over complicating a very simple procedure' ?
I wonder what other types of rules in life you are predisposed to not follow due simply to their ' complicated nature' ( in your opinion ) ?

technical writing is often written by non mechanics (read engineer) as you may or may not know - there are technical instructions somewhere for lacing shoelaces . . . . My vote goes to my mechanic who has been professionally employed this way for 40 odd years, not a technical writer . . . either way, debating this topic is a waste of time, unless of course you are actually a professional mechanic. Your "wondering" seems childish and your conclusion about what rules I choose to live by are more of an attack -

leathermang · #6 04-02-2010, 09:30 PM

I am now sure you are a conspiracy theorist..... MB was just trying to denude the world of trees by printing huge bogusly detailed instruction manuals. Probably an effort to make the trees in the Black Forest more valuable in the future.

warmblood58 · #7 04-02-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

I am now sure you are a conspiracy theorist..... MB was just trying to denude the world of trees by printing huge bogusly detailed instruction manuals. Probably an effort to make the trees in the Black Forest more valuable in the future.

Again leathermang, he is a certified factory trained MB mechanic - you are not, what a drama queen . . .

Diesel911 · #8 04-02-2010, 10:01 PM

All arguments a side I would like to see what warmblood58 gets when he does check it with the Dial Indicator!
And, even if it turns out it is loose I am OK if he leaves it like that.

I hope this will be a different comment. The Car was designed and built in a Country where in may Towns they have Cobble Stone roads. Besides the Cobblestones making the Road bumpy to begin with each stone settles in the ground at individual depth. This makes the road extremely uneven.

Back in 1971-1973 when I was living in Germany the was no Speed Limit on the Autobahn. And, yes they do drive there Cars to the max on the Autobahn and the Mercedes Diesels were not as powerful then but ounce they built up speed were fast.
So the Car and the specs for the Car were designed with the above environment
in mind.

leathermang · #9 04-02-2010, 11:06 PM

We only have your word he is factory trained....
Have you seen any concrete evidence it was the MERCEDES factory he trained at... as compared to the local community college ?
On the other hand.. it is hard to deny the Factory Shop Manuals were produced by Mercedes....
How about posting his certificates ? You and he are probably afraid to do that.. as Mercedes might decide to take them back.

tangofox007 · #10 04-03-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmblood58

Hi! I am going to replace the front rotor on my '84 123 wagon and short of using a micrometer setup, what is the best way (accurate) way to adjust load on bearings after packing? Thanks!

Find a factory-trained mechanic and ask him. No one else can possibly have a clue. (Don't worry. Even though the mechanic has developed his skills over many years, he will be able to transfer those skills directly to you in a couple of minutes.)

By the way, don't even waste time packing the bearings. Just slap some grease in the hub and let it ooze out. Don't make things so complicated!!!

{Note: this response is intended for the recipient only. Use by other persons is not recommended.}

layback40 · #11 04-03-2010, 09:03 AM

X2 tango !!
Why repack them anyway? Just slap them back on!! & why replace the rotors? The brakes still work dont they ?

Diesel911 · #12 04-03-2010, 02:31 PM

You guys are overdoing the criticism.

People often post to get another opinion. An, opinion that the do not have to follow.

I do not believe that the Factory Service Manual is the "Bible" but it is a basis of knowledge.

leathermang · #13 04-03-2010, 05:32 PM

IF the Factory Shop Manual from the people who manufactured the car... (with a hundred years experience by that time in coach building... ) is not the authority... then what IS ?
Some local buffoon who has convinced you he knows more than all the engineers at Mercedes put together.... very interesting....everyone else can see what a foolish position you have taken ... So just keep entertaining us with your unrationalizations.
( which I know is not a word for you perfectionists ).....

warmblood58 · #14 04-03-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

IF the Factory Shop Manual from the people who manufactured the car... (with a hundred years experience by that time in coach building... ) is not the authority... then what IS ?
Some local buffoon who has convinced you he knows more than all the engineers at Mercedes put together.... very interesting....everyone else can see what a foolish position you have taken ... So just keep entertaining us with your unrationalizations.
( which I know is not a word for you perfectionists ).....

Hey leathermang, have you been wrenching professionally for many years? If not, then you are in no position to question but perhaps learn - as is typical, those who can't do resort to preaching. I use a wide number of sources (including the FSM) to form my opinions along with my own mechanical experience. Again, my position is to use my indies technique and compare with a dial indicator -never came here looking for advice as my post mentioned that I would report back to the forum on the results - at this point, since you are committed to having the last word, I am out of here as I am tired of this ***** fest -again did not come to this looking for opinions gtfu

tangofox007 · #15 04-03-2010, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmblood58

Hey leathermang, have you been wrenching professionally for many years? If not, then you are in no position to question but perhaps learn - as is typical, those who can't do resort to preaching.

Seems to me that "he who hasn't done" has resorted to preaching!!! Perhaps you should actually do the procedure once before you start delivering sermons. Then you might realize how ridiculous it sounds when you say "I will double check my work with the dial indicator."