Deep dark depression, excessive misery! If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all!

I was about to leave work this afternoon (sick as a dog) when my wife calls and says the wagon is making strange noise in the back, especially while braking and going around corners.

I took it for a drive and there was definitely some noise back there, mostly when turning to the right. I was kind of a clunking noise, not unlike what you would hear from a bad CV joint on a front wheel car, but not quite as severe. Into the garage and onto the jacks (after I applied all of my own safety advice), and here is what I found. Drive shafts and center bearing, flex palte all look ok. Right wheel has a lot off slop (wheel bearing type of slop), left wheel is OK. No noises turning manually. I really think it is a bad wheel bearing, especially after removing the whell to shake the hardware up close and personal.

I popped in my handy dandy CD and did my research and see all kinds of pullers and presses are neede if parts are stuck. Obviously, I don't have all these, but I am a pretty good jury rigger at times. I have also replaced pressed in wheel bearings on front wheel drive cars many times, when I had access to a hydraulic press.

Will I really need to use all these tools or should I just cut my time losses, tuck my tail and bring it directly to the shop? I am willing to buy the axle nut socket and half shaft bolt (what is the size, # of splines for this?).

I probably need to start tomorrow, so any words of wisdom my "Shop" buddies can give me would be appreciated. In the mean time my wife is driving my baby (Suzanne, '72 280 SEL 4.5) which is more than enough incentive to get this fixed ASAP!

Deezel,
I just had to tell you how much I like the fact that you named your car "Suzanne". That is very !
I had my own trauma picking up my groceries tonight when my A.C. compressor siezed in truly loud and stinky fashion. Good luck!!

I just purchased this tool from Sir Tools. It looks good, but I haven't used it yet. I think the tool was about 300-400 dollars or so. I would not think of doing this job without some type of special puller.

We made one at MBS for taking them out, but it always had problems.

Good luck.

__________________
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

Thanks for the advice. The CD says, if bearing won't release, and more verbiage like that. It sounds like the pullers and presses are pretty much needed all the time. The real bummer is a friend of mine from up North is driving by in a few weeks to give me a 10" South Bend Lathe! This would have been a super project to make the tools. I don't know if I can hold off that long though.

Once again, thanx for the advice so quickly!

Benzmac,

For the cost of parts and tooling, I can do the work myself for the same amouint of money, and walk away with a tool I will probably never use again. Somehow, I kind of like this (tool collector freak)! Can you give me the source for the tool? I'll be getting the bearing from the PartsShop!

If I prceed inthe end, I will give a summary of the job for all to read!

I found the site! What I did not realize is that Benzmac has purchased the tool at auction, and I don't think I can find another at that price! Very sweet deal!

I also did a little more work at lunch with DeltaDave and there was not any clunking, but the RR brearing is definitely in its first stages of failure. I think I am going to use it for another week as a grocery getter and then tear into it after my lathe arrives (If my wife can give up the car for a few days). I will try to take some digital pictures and share them with you if I am successful. If I fail, I will quietly fade away and hope that none of you remember this post!

I still need source and size for the inner half shaft bolt wrench, and source for the axle nut socket. The quoted shop price of $450 - 550 to do the bearing replacement is quickly getting consumed by tools and buying DeltaDave lunch for his consulting services. I may wind up deeper in the hole by doing this myself before this is all over!

I have found the bearing extractor and installer at http://www.technictool.com, a site I was introduced to via this forum, for $275. Has anyone used this brand and care to comment on the quality/functionality? Also, still need the socket type for the inner cv joint bolts if anyone has this info.

Thanx,

Have you thought about replacing the entire bearing carrier assembly with a used one? It might be the easiest and lowest cost way out. Here's what happened to me:

I had a rear bearing in a '74 240D that started squealing in CA but then stopped so I ignored it. When I got to TX, it was still quiet but it got really bad but I didn't notice it until the brakes didn't work. The rear brake got so hot from the rotor rubbing on the brake pads that it melted the wheel cover (after market plastic).

Of course by that time the bearing carrier was chewed up and had to be replaced. Luckily I had one out of a parts car at home in PA, so I had my son UPS it overnight to me in Alanreed TX (Exit 135 I-40 about 35 miles west of OK-TX border)and it was installed the next day.

It couldn't have broken down at a better place. Two guys worked on it about 8 hours and only charged me $150. This was about 8 years ago. When I go by there, I still stop in and say Hi to Bill Potts the garage owner and chief mechanic. If you ever need help in that area, get Bill. I just can't tell you how helpful he was. This happened on a SAT night. I stopped at a motel and asked about a mechanic.
He showed up almost immediately to find out what the problem was. He told me to bring the car to his shop SUN morning to put it on a lift to diagnose the problem. It was then we decided to replace the entire assembly. MON the old parts were removed and TUE the parts arrived and were reassembled and away I went.
P E H

Now that is a very good suggestion! And I would only need to buy the axle nut socket. Thanx PEH!

Deezel,

I don't remember needing a special wrench for the axle unless the new axles are different than the older ones. I replaced at least 4 axles and didn't need any special tools. There is a bolt in the end of the axle that holds the axle in the spline inside the bearing carrier, but a regular socket was all that was needed to loosen or tighten it. If I remember correctly, the older 220s had a larger size bolt than the 240s.

P E H

What you need to replace your rear wheel bearing can be bought from IMPCO (1-800-243-1220)for$36.00. Their catalog has a picture of it. I have one and it looks exactly like it, and I have used mine a few times. Their cat. description states"REAR AXLE SPLINE SOCKET Necessary for the replacement of rear axle bearings. Use to remove and install bearing nut." IMPCO is in Van Nuys CA. 91406-1321. E-mail:WWW.************************ Hope this helps you.
Bill Lewallen Lexington,Ky.

I found the socket in IMPCO's catalogs for107, 123, and 126 series but not in the catalog for 124 series. It may not fit Deezel's need.

Sorry to hear the bad news.

David

Why not call IMPCO and ask if the tool is what you need for your car.Simple.
Bill Lewallen Lex. Ky.

Thanx for the help and advice guys & gals! I called Impco (Performance Parts) and they did not have much of anything in tools or advice. I bought a 30MM 12 point at NAPA to since this is what the W124 CD calls for. I have not tried the fit yet. The bearing is only making a very slight whine, so it can hold out for a couple more weeks of just city driving. My 10" SouthBend Lathe arrives next Friday, so after it arrives and my guest leaves, I can start in earnest. In the mean time I have been changing the front timing chain cover on my 3.0L Ford Aerostar. It had a coolant leak between the cover and the block. I bought one of those nice Stant Radiator Pressure Tester's ($125) and a harmonic balance puller, while picking up the 30 MM socket, so I am really on a roll for buying tools! It is still cheaper than paying a shop and I hope for at least equal quality. I'll roll the van out and the wagon in and the little lady will still be able to haul the kids around!

I still don't know what tool to use on the inner CV bolts!? Any one know? Thanx!

Did the 30mm 12 point socket work? I need to replace my rear bearing also!

Thanks
Jason