Apparently the 280TE came with Febi Germany bearings, as the bearings are Koyo like the kits purchased off eBay. The outer bearings were over heated, even the spindle is marred and slightly discolored, and fit loose on the spindles.

Thinking the heat caused the bearings not to fit right, took a cabbie 45 minutes each way, spent all day in hot and humid weather, and pulled a set off a W126 with ABS as need the speed sensor mount (the 280TE has ABS).

The other day received the Febi Germany front wheel bearing kit, 126 330 00 51, and it too had loose bearings. So grabbed the FAG German bearings from the W126 (couldn't afford the rotors so didn't get the inner bearings or races) and they fit all four spindles just right.

Since my Dad has not repaid me (stupid me for loaning money to someone that wouldn't loan me money) I literally have nothing in my account. So, am confirming there is no solution in using the bearings and races from the '79 with the FAG German bearings?

Thank y'all in advance!

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

look at all the numbers on the parts themselves. all beaings will have them. lm11949-looks like that. on the races and the cones. worked on a few euros over the years, never found the bearings different the the us ones.good luck, chuck.

Chuck, thank you for the help.

So are these bearing numbers universal? Google suggests not as neither bearing numbers bring up results.

Neither Koyo or FAG have the aforementioned number, are you sure that is the one for ABS?

The FAG is KMY or KMT (there is some wear to the ink) 2649 and Koyo is LMI2749.

So how many did you have with ABS?

According to Mercedes, there is a difference in the bearing kits between those with ABS and those that do not. Since one can't purchase individual bearings, only way be to measure. I will do that once done eating.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

Should be an A-2 and an A-6 standard automotive wheel bearing. Go to any auto parts store and tell them that is what you want...forget the application guide/book.

Good luck!!!

__________________
"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

Thank you for the help and well wishes, appreciated.

Yes, checked and same size. Bet the difference is because of the speed sensor ring requiring a different seal.

Trouble is finances, love to just get a set of bearings and be done. But alas, money doesn't come until January, unless get a surprise cash Christmas gift.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

To clarify, as seems not understood, posting my plan, and if something wrong, please let me know.

So, out of the Febi kit, use everything but the outer bearings, didn't come with outer bearing races. By the way, do any kits come with the outers?

Both the '79 TD and '85 TE inner races are trashed, however, the TE's outers are in good nick, no discoloring or scratches (worked in a machine shop so not like completely in the dark). Further, the FAG Germany outer bearings have no play in the outer Koyo races and bearings travel smoothly without grease.

Yes, know not standard, but will it work for now?

Then for inners, go ahead and put in the sets of bearing and races since those fit fine.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

The " A " numbers are for a bearing set containing a cone and cup , the LM numbers are component parts ( A cone or cup )

Look at the numbers on the bearings to make sure the what fits and doesn't fit bearings are actually the same.

I have not come across a bearing set sold as a set which doesnt ship with an outer race.

I buy bearings from ebay or amazon and seals from this site or sometimes from NAPA. perfect fit everytime.

There are some bearing sets out there whose inner tapers are wrong (they are cut at a 90 degree angle) - they obviously wont fit. I once got those from a purchase and was promptly sent another proper set (the one with a radiused lip on the inner race)

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)