Front Wheel Bearing replacement on 560SEC... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kevinrea · #1 08-12-2005, 11:36 AM

Hi guys,

I was quoted this morning by an independent mercedes shop a price of $400.00 to replace both front wheel bearings on my 1990 560SEC..., does this price sound right or high ?

I was surprised myself...I thought it was high.

kevin

jhodg5ck · #2 08-12-2005, 11:46 AM

Off the top of my head, IF they really take their time and do Everything top notch it should take an hour per side. Unfortunetly, most independants don't even change the races but just drop in fresh bearings...ugh...

I would be right abound 200 to do the job in my shop.

Jonathan
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sbourg · #3 08-13-2005, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhodg5ck

Unfortunetly, most independants don't even change the races but just drop in fresh bearings...ugh...

Are you kidding me? I didn't even know you could buy bearings sans races! Wouldn't the job come back within a month?!

Steve

t walgamuth · #4 08-13-2005, 08:05 AM

sure you need bearings? the factory bearings are extremely long lived.

tom w

Brian Carlton · #5 08-13-2005, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbourg

Are you kidding me? I didn't even know you could buy bearings sans races! Wouldn't the job come back within a month?!

Steve

It's an interesting point. The bearings come with an outer race, but, I would venture to guess that most mechanics simply use the existing outer race that is currently in the hub.

It's a PITA to remove the outer race and probably takes another 20 minutes to remove and fit a new one.

The real question is whether a new outer race is necessary. If the existing race is not damaged in any way and shows no signs of wear, personally, I don't see where changing the race will provide any benefits.

It's a tapered roller bearing and the clearance is adjusted manually, so, that's not an issue.

Flame suit on.

jhodg5ck · #6 08-13-2005, 10:06 AM

I agree on the point that the extra time is what causes a lot of indy's to forgo installing new races.
However, I disagree that it doesn't matter.. A used race will not have the same specs as a new race, there will be grooves, scratches etc.. They may not be visible to the naked eye but as your new bearing is running in said race it will surely know the difference.

I have had cars come in w/ screaming bearings..pulled them out and found two different manufactures of bearing/race installed. Different manufactures will make their bearing to different specs/tolerances. It's the same idea when installing a new chain on old gears..the old gears will prematurely wear out the new chain...same applies here.

While were on the topic of bearings, I'd recommend staying away from SKF's at this point.they used to be manufactured in Germany but now are being produced in Mexico..ugh.

Jonathan
--
http://jono.mbfans.net/Index.htm
Need parts? Give a call, I don't sell anything I wouldn't install on my own car.
404-805-1357
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t walgamuth · #7 08-13-2005, 10:07 AM

on the race would tend to be where the bearings actually run. like the tracks on the highway. a new unworn bearing will run in a different track slightly so will prob wear more til it stabilizes at least. i change them.. usually.

tom w

Kestas · #8 08-13-2005, 10:34 AM

Bearings wear as a set and are sold as a set. Not changing the outer race is sheer laziness. It's like changing a camshaft in an old GM 350 without changing the lifters. Any old race will have microdenting that can eventually develop into a spall.

I work for SKF and I tend to generally agree about the 'made in Maxico' remark, until I learn differently. That doesn't mean that all replacement bearings for Mercedes are made by SKF Mexico, or that all SKF bearings are made in Mexico. SKF has plants all over the world and has a good reputation for manufacturing quality products. Also make sure they aren't made in China, regardless of the brand.

jhodg5ck · #9 08-13-2005, 11:45 AM

Thanks for help w/ the terminology..!

Interesting that you work for SKF. Ya'll don't happen to produce the rear diff bearings for ford do you;-) As of late I have switched to Timken or Toyo bearings made in Japan.. There's another company running around that produces bearings in Brazil but I'm rather leary of them as well.

Is there any company you know of still making wheel bearings in Germany??

Jonathan

samiam4 · #10 08-13-2005, 01:37 PM

Guys

I resent the idea that many mechanics don't change the races. I have worked at 3 shops and WE ALWAYS change the complete brg. I've done jobs where the race is sold separate and always buy the pair.

There are lots of shops which do these simple jobs correctly.

Michael

jhodg5ck · #11 08-13-2005, 02:52 PM

True, and I happen to run one shop that does do work as it should be.

Having seen cars come in w/ miss-matched bearings/races as well as talking to a number of other shop owners who have experienced the same situation over years and years of working/ownership I feel it prudent to warn people about establishments taking said short cuts.

I'm not saying All do it, just that some do, and most likely in greater numbers then we think.

Jonathan

Brian Carlton · #12 08-13-2005, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhodg5ck

I'm not saying All do it, just that some do, and most likely in greater numbers then we think.

That's my feeling as well. The question is how many of those vehicles suffer a bearing failure within a couple of years??

I agree that the right way to do the job is to change the outer race, but, I don't believe that cutting corners and failing to change the outer race is a guarantee of a bearing failure down the road.

Kestas · #13 08-13-2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhodg5ck

Interesting that you work for SKF. Ya'll don't happen to produce the rear diff bearings for ford do you;-) As of late I have switched to Timken or Toyo bearings made in Japan. There's another company running around that produces bearings in Brazil but I'm rather leary of them as well.

Is there any company you know of still making wheel bearings in Germany??

Jonathan

I know we make car corner and transmission bearings for Ford. I don't know if we make the diff bearings. Anything made in Japan is considered reliable. The jury is still out on Brazil.

We make bearings in Germany at the Schweinfurt location.

BTW, if you have any beef with SKF bearings made for any of the Big Three, don't blame our company. The Big Three tells us how much quality to put in a bearing and how much they're gonna pay for it. Quality is available from SKF. The problem is that few people want to pay for it. They'd rather take their chances with something made in third world countries. We're the biggest manufacturer of bearings in the world.

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