w124 estate rear bearing removal

[e36bob]

My wifes w124 estate needed a new rear wheel bearing. The garage told us they had to smash the backplate in order to gain access to the hub.
He showed me the backplate and said it was fitted between the two halves of the bearing hub assembly.
Can anyone confirm this, or is there a way to remove the hub assembly with the backplate intact.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Bob

 

[PRS]

I had one done recently by my local garage, and they did NOT smash the backplate, they did say that they were not easy to get off.!!
The bearings are not cheap either.

 

[e36bob]

w124 estate rear wheel bearings

Thanks for the info pete, I was a bit sceptical that Mercedes would design the rear hub unit so that removal meant destroying the backplate .
I have the same job to do on my own w124 230 estate, so I will be able to judge for myself.
The garage that did the work was an MOT test/repair centre, so to be fair to them, they probably hadnt come acrosss this job before.
I paid 31.50 for the bearing from Swedish and german.
Thanks again.

 

[spannerman]

I think that whoever told you that the backplate had to be smashed to gain access to the hub bearing really doesn't know what he is talking about......but what's even more disturbing is the question of how he completed the job regarding re-assembly of the hub to include the smashed backplate?

 

[e36bob]

w124 estate rear wheel bearings

Spannerman, thanks for your reply, the job was completed using a new backplate from mercedes, 22.00+vat.thank you very much.
Being situated about a mile from a merc dealership, perhaps they might have
asked mercedes before wrecking the backplate.
We live and learn.
Thanks again.
Bob