Repacking front wheel bearings/adjustment - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

warmblood58 · #61 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 · #62 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 · #63 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 -

tangofox007 · #64 04-02-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmblood58

As mentioned I will double check with a dial indicator. From a common sense standpoint, I refuse to believe that such a simple procedure needs to be this complicated and I trust my indy because he is trained versus those with opinions - should be interesting!

You have it backwards. The chap with the "opinion" is your mechanic. Characterizing the MB specified procedure as an opinion is as juvenile as it is asinine.

I will offer an opinion, however. Anyone who claims that he can reliably set the MB specified bearing clearance by feel is an absolute fool.

warmblood58 · #65 04-02-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

You have it backwards. The chap with the "opinion" is your mechanic. Characterizing the MB specified procedure as an opinion is as juvenile as it is asinine.

I will offer an opinion, however. Anyone who claims that he can reliably set the MB specified bearing clearance by feel is an absolute fool.

oh f - , here we go again . . . my confidence is with my mechanic who is hardly a fool, actually sound and feel if you read my opening post correctly

Brian Carlton · #66 04-02-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmblood58

oh f - , here we go again . . . my confidence is with my mechanic who is hardly a fool, actually sound and feel if you read my opening post correctly

Your mechanic, like most, is a fool. The only way you can set bearings by "sound and feel" is to get extremely lucky and always set them on the side of excessive clearance. While most drivers won't notice the excessive clearance if it's small, the rollers take quite a beating as the cage constantly impacts the inner race each time the wheel is turned.

It's your vehicle...........do what you want...........but, please don't draw the conclusion that anybody can set the bearing accurately by "feel".

Furthermore, his procedure for installing an outer bearing without any grease packed into the rollers is totally without any engineering support by Mercedes-Benz or anyone with the slightest bit of experience with regard to tapered roller bearings. He'd have needed to use at least 4X the amount of grease specified and the inside of the hub would need to be fully packed with grease............completely against any reasonable procedure.

You really ought to find another mechanic. This one is can be characterized as "all hat..........no cattle".

warmblood58 · #67 04-02-2010, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Your mechanic, like most, is a fool. The only way you can set bearings by "sound and feel" is to get extremely lucky and always set them on the side of excessive clearance. While most drivers won't notice the excessive clearance if it's small, the rollers take quite a beating as the cage constantly impacts the inner race each time the wheel is turned.

It's your vehicle...........do what you want...........but, please don't draw the conclusion that anybody can set the bearing accurately by "feel".

Furthermore, his procedure for installing an outer bearing without any grease packed into the rollers is totally without any engineering support by Mercedes-Benz or anyone with the slightest bit of experience with regard to tapered roller bearings. He'd have needed to use at least 4X the amount of grease specified and the inside of the hub would need to be fully packed with grease............completely against any reasonable procedure.

You really ought to find another mechanic. This one is can be characterized as "all hat..........no cattle".

again, I take my advice from a Mercedes professional and not weekend mechanics . . his record of service with me speaks volumes -

leathermang · #68 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.

Diesel911 · #69 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.

warmblood58 · #70 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 . . .

leathermang · #71 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 · #72 04-03-2010, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmblood58

again, I take my advice from a Mercedes professional and not weekend mechanics . . his record of service with me speaks volumes -

That is an interesting comment from an individual who came to the forum asking for advice!!! Seems to me that a lot of well-intentioned weekend mechanics bent over backwards in an effort to provide assistance when you asked for help.

One can hope that those forum members who are not smart enough to meet your high standards will, in the future, be smart enough to ignore your requests.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

You really ought to find another mechanic. This one is can be characterized as "all hat..........no cattle".

And that description might not be limited to just the mechanic!!!

tangofox007 · #73 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 · #74 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 ?

leathermang · #75 04-03-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

That is an interesting comment from an individual who came to the forum asking for advice!!!

In my astonishment/shock at his attitude towards MB Literature and guidance I completely missed that bigger concept... good point... TangoFox007 !! LOL