SL500 wheel bearings

[daz10dazza]

Hi all, finally made a decision about which car to buy and have just purchased a 1999 SL500 with 53000 on the clock. Wow what a complete difference to my 1991 SL300, feels like a completly different car - like new and the power is out of this world !!! I was made aware that earlier on in the year this car failed its MOT on front wheel bearing, has anyone had this done, is it expensive to replace, what causes a wheel bearing to become worn? Any comments would be great please

 

[television]

You can do this your self,,cleanliness is the main order of the day.

What causes them to fail, mainly when you get a little slack in the bearing, then if you hit a big pot hole, the jolt can cause the rollers to put a dent in the cage, or outer shell, from this point on the rollers will not be running smooth, as more dents appear. It used to be water getting in and road dirt, but that is a thing of the past.

They can be damaged by tightening up incorrectly from new,
If you do not have the wheel spinning as you finally tighten them, this will cause the rollers to dent the cages, if this happens they are useless from that point on

 

[daz10dazza]

Thanks for getting back so quick Malcolm, always very helpful and this information is greatly welcoming. My old neibour is an experienced mechanic so I'll ask him to replace them. Thought I'd check with you guys first. Thanks again

 

[BlackC55]

I doubt they have worn out.

I suspect they need adjust ment only.

0.3 of an hour per side plus some grease.

 

[television]

I doubt they have worn out.

I suspect they need adjust ment only.

0.3 of an hour per side plus some grease.

As Ollie here,,are they noisy or just needing a little adajustment

 

[daz10dazza]

Well driving home last night and this morning what happens is - from a standing start and pulling away quite quick (not flooring it) a grinding noise comes from the front passenger side and once past about 20mph it goes away. When breaking slowly grinding noise happens again from both sides at the front? Could it be worn discs / pads? How do I check this out? On another note do you know why no sound comes out of the speakers (not even any hissing -nothing) even though the radio detects a CD in the changer and radio stations are all programmed in? Sorry to be a pain, thanks

 

[television]

You would not hear wheels bearings up to 20mph,,the hum if gone starts at about 30mph.

Jack one side an spin the wheel and you should here if the pads are touching the disc making the sound,, the pads could be too tight in the caliper and need cleaning up, another fault on the rear brakes can be the the hoses are past their sell by date, the inside collapses acting like a valve and prevents the pads from being able to back off, Your sound is more than likely just sticky pads.

Re the Radio. Either the output stage id down (can be fixed) or the loudspeakers have blown. You will need to get to one of the speakers take off the wires and put a 1.5 volt battery just over the terminals briefly,, the cone on the speaker will move in or out dependant on what way around the battery is,, you will here the click / pop as you touch the battery wires if the speaker is good.

Or has the plug come out of the rear of the radio

 

[daz10dazza]

Fantastic, it does seem to me more like wearing break pads/discs. I'll try the spinning of the wheel to see. Thanks again for the reply. The radio is abit weird as everything appears to work as all functions ect but not one sound. Have to be a strip down job. Thanks for the advice again

 

[daz10dazza]

Malcolm, How do I remove the car radio ? it doesn't look that easy ! all the corners I've tried I end up pulling of the buttons !! Thanks

 

[television]

Malcolm, How do I remove the car radio ? it doesn't look that easy ! all the corners I've tried I end up pulling of the buttons !! Thanks

Go to MB and get the radio removal keys, they fit into the little slots each end of the radio,, they can also be used for pulling out the heater control unit that sits above the radio

They cost £1.06p

 

[television]

Malcolm, How do I remove the car radio ? it doesn't look that easy ! all the corners I've tried I end up pulling of the buttons !! Thanks

Go to MB and get the radio removal keys, they fit into the little slots each end of the radio,, they can also be used for pulling out the heater control unit that sits above the radio

They cost £1.06p

 

[daz10dazza]

Brilliant, thanks Malcolm - I'll visit my local MB dealer. cheers