123 rear wheel bearings

[nathan]

Hi guys,
the white 123 i drove over the nullabor has a cyclical clicking from the rear passengers side wheel which is concerning as im due to drive back over the nullabor in three months.  after the floods here in melbourne a few months back i replaced the front wheeel bearings which eliminated a speed related groan but now i can hear that damn clicking again in the rear.  i wonder if the wheel bearings are shot there too?  my mechanic in perth said not to take the car to any average joe as the 70s mercs need a special hub puller to get access to the bearings? what are others thoughts on this?  i rang up a place called Autohaus in Richmond who wanted 350 in labour just for the front bearings, so the rears would be scary expensive.  however, if the local shop can do it id just take it there? what do all think?
thanks
nathan

[TJ 450]

Nathan,

The clicking sound is probably more likely to be a dodgy half-shaft I reckon.

I'd have them check to make sure that the bearing or shaft is at fault before R&R'ing. Either way there is a fair bit of work involved... your mechanic is spot on with the special tools being needed.

If the local shop has worked on older Mercs before then I'd just have it done there.

Tim

[s class]

Hi Nathan,

Rear wheel bearings are quite tricky on the 70's benzes.  It cannot be done without the special socket for dealing with the slot nut on the inward side of the hub.  The workshop also needs to be aware that there is a crush element as part of the bearing kit.  The assembly technique requires torquing the slot nut until the crush element starts to crush, and continue crushing it until a specific end-play is achieved. 

You can find the procedure for W116 wheel bearings on this site's on-line library.  The procedure for W123 is the same. 

As TJ says, it will be expensive in labour, so make sure it really is the issue before having it done.  The rear wheel bearings, whilst difficult to change on these cars, are usually very long lasting. 


Read about my 280SE rear wheel bearing adventures here :

Link

[nathan]

thanks guys,
Klaus had a look at the car before i left perth and didnt think it was the half shaft TJ.  it seems a bit more audible now which is why i was sort of keen to get its sorted. i dont want to get stranded on the nullabor on the way back, but its a nuisance being in a foreign town without the convenience of your usual resources.
maybe i should just pay the local shop to 'inspect' it for me first to get their thoughts before i contemplate any sort of replacement
regards
nathan

[motec6.9]

Hi Nathan i dont know off anyworkshops in Melbourne but i can highly recommend mbspares in Canberra and F Wann Motors in Adeliade at 884 South road Edwardstown 08 82978359 when he worked on my 6.9 it never ran better

[nathan]

thanks for the suggestions regardless Motec, appreciated.;
MB spares? im undecided. ive emailed them a few times for some help on a matter previously. got no response. i would need convincing or to personally to meet these fellows before id bother again.
maybe you can fly out and pick me up when i get stranded on the way back to perth!

[Big_Richard]

when the car was jacked off the ground, i remember the rear left half shaft moving in an unusual fashion in harmony with the clicking sound.

I guess some old German wearing overalls would know better though

[koan]

Peter Lennox Motors in Thomastown 0394650350 did my rear wheel carriers.

They also have the beading tool for putting new boots on 1/2 shafts.

koan

[nathan]

thanks Koan,
now to see where Thomas town is!

[WGB]

Come home Nates - I have the hub tools here in WA.

Clicking as opposed to rumbling sounds more like drive shaft to me as well.

Best get it checked by someone who knows what he is doing.

Bill