312 wheel bearings

[312-4x4]

Hi Guys, hope someone can help me out. I have a 312 Sprinter which is a 4x4 version, and keep having trouble with the front wheel bearings. I have had 2 new sets on os and 3 sets on ns. (in the last 18 months/20,000 miles) The problem seems to be that the locknuts quickly come undone, breaking the tabs on the lock washers and giving too much play in the bearings. I haven't noticed any noise or vibration until the bearings are completely shot.
Just had a new set both sides, took the van for MOT within 2 weeks and the bearings were loose again. Took the van back and they were adjusted, 2 weeks later jacked it up and checked them again and they are loose both sides, one tab washer was split in two!
Can anyone offer any answers.
Cheers

 

[television]

Sorry to hear about this, Have you asked MB about this, there must be a mod

If you put up the first 9 vin numbers I can check

 

[312-4x4]

Thanks Malcolm
VIN is WDB903461 2P930196

I have not been to a main dealer about this problem but my usual mechanic, who has since moved to Spain was at a loss to explain it.
cheers, Joe

 

[dava]

This must be a after market fit? If it is then I guess it is due to the drive shaft winding up when cornering, outside wheel turns more than the inner and visa versa, ie, trying to go in the opposite direction to the drive train. Do you have diff or hub locks? If so only use them when req, ie off road, as when they are off road due to the nature of the suface your on, allows a certain amount of slip, unlike tarmac. A solution to you problem could be to drill the drive shaft and hub nut and fit a big split pin, prefferably a good qaulity one of stainless etc.

 

[312-4x4]

Hi Dave
No, its a std factory MB 4x4. There are no diff locks and it runs on the rear wheels until you switch it over. I don' use the 4x4 much, only when I'm biking at the weekends and then only when its needed. I havn't had it in 4 wheel drive since I'v had the latest set of bearings fitted. I understand what you say about tight turning, but this hardly ever happens. I've also thought about split pins but there is hardly any stub showing - the bearing nuts are more like low lock rings with four notches, similar to a c spanner nut.
cheers

 

[dava]

To be honest I've never come across a 4x4 sprinter, loads of uni things etc, suppose there's a first for all. Anyhow, daft thing but jack it up so front wheels are free and try turning the wheels, if they dont then the diff lock is stuck in. Some sprinters have these fitted to the rear axle as part of the ASR/ESP and they are known to jam in place and sort of hop around bends, also if it is stuck in then the steering might feel funny when turning, ie, kicking back. If this dont work then get back to me and I'll speak to MB Tech and see if there is any remidies for it. PS I'll need a vin number.

 

[312-4x4]

Hi Dava
There are no diff locks fitted, and the fr wheels spin freely when jacked up.
VIN is WDB9034612P930196

thanks for your efforts, appreciate it

Joe

 

[dava]

Im off at the mo till next week, so if I dont get back to you nudge me as a reminder.

 

[312-4x4]

wheel bearings

Hiya Mr TV and Mr Dava,
you said you were going to check out my VIN to see if there had been any mods done on my Sprinter fr wheel bearings.
Have still got this problem so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
cheers, Joe

 

[dava]

I just got back to work today and done some research on you Sprinter. Firstly upon putting your Vin into WIS it came up with no mods for the front axle or hubs. However, I did notice that the torque settings for the hub nut is 200NM. Now thats ****** tight, we have a 4ft, inch drive torque wrench to tighten to them limits and we have to pull on it, so if the person fitting the bearings is not tightening them to this setting, this could be the fault. I spoke to MB on it and they had not come across this fault, to be fair they said they had only ever come across two and none had ever had the bearings replaced, so try getting them torqued correctly and see how that lasts. They also mentioned the obvious, always replace the locking nut and ensure the drive shaft thread is OK.
Hope it helps.

 

[312-4x4]

OK, I'm taking it in today so I will get them to check. I will let you know what happens.
Thanks for your efforts.
Cheers, Joe

 

[312-4x4]

Just a thought, Mr Dava (sorry don't know your name) but these bearings are taper rollers, surely if they torque them up that tight its going to crush 'em!
I'm about to take the van in so I'll see what they say.
cheers

 

[dava]

To be fair I have not done them before, but taper bearings some times have a central sleave inbetween the two taper bearings and you are tightening onto this not the bearings. If I'm wrong then WIS is up the creek, which it aint been before. If he's a good mechanic he'll know what I'm talking about and will understand the theory behind it all.

By the way it's
Ray