I'm getting ready to do my front brakes, first time doing front rotors for me, and I've read the threads on using a dial indicator to check bearing play after.

Sorry for the stupid question, and possibly this will be self-evident when I actually have the wheel off, but: Where should the dial gauge needle be contacting, to measure the play? This isn't mentioned anywhere (someone else sort of asked this in a thread but it wasn't answered).

Also, I got this great deal on a dial indicator and base setup from an online retailer... then of course realized it's not metric. Can I make do or should I just buy another dial gauge?

Thanks

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

anyplace on the hub/rotor is fine for the indication of play.

if the indicator is accurate, just convert to thousandths... no biggie.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Put the magnetic(?) base on the rotor, and indicate movement at the center of the spindle.

I'm missing something here... doesn't the FSM show the measurement being done with the magnetic base of the dial indicator attached to the rotor?

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Yes. The dial indicator needs to be in contact with the end of the axle stub.

The attached image shows how I setup to measure the wheel bearing axial clearance. With new bearings and races, I set the clearance to 0.01mm with good results.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Blair Tyson
1985 300D
300,000 + miles

X2.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Yes, the FSM shows using a Magnetic Base. However, the Magnetic Base on the Factory Tool is smaller and more compact.
The Factory setup is simpler and likely more ridged.

I have the Made in Taiwan Magnetic (from tne 1980s) base with the ON/Off Dial that releases the Base and used it with an Inch type Indicator.
Later I bought a PRC Base from Harbor Freight and a MM Indicator.

Either one works.

If you can find a place to clamp it good to the Rotor a non-magnetic Base would also work.

Here is the pic form the Manual. I rotated the pic because if the Base is heavier it rotates thr Rotor to till the Base is on the Bottom.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel