paypaboi

I Just got a c55 and while I was at the dealership with my c230 Kompressor and they told me I needed it serviced after I refuse to trade it in to them for 6K! But with the c55 in the stable now the c230 is my new honda for everyday driving.

Anyways my service advisor said my front wheel bearings were "shot" and needed to be replaced and he also stated they were "bone dry". Something ridiculous like $600.00 I haven't heard any sounds or felt any difference...I know the car has been a little slower than usual but that couldn't be from the wheel bearings could it? Anywhoo...is it worth replacing my front wheel bearings?...i don't want it to lead to more problems however...thanks in advance guys!

polarbexar

how many miles do you have? I would think that they are sealed units, and the only way to really inspect them would be to destroy them...

paypaboi

I just hit 80K miles. HaHa true...

there is a silver cap i think it is called a "grease cap" is that where the bearings go? im not sure...but i do know when I put my 19" lowenharts on after snowboarding season and take it to Americas tires they take that cap off
cuz i guess it wont fit with the rims on...

Ausmbtech

If you have taken the cap off the wheel bearings then I would believe that they want to change the wheel bearingsfor good reason! If the cap hasn't been removed then I doubt the wheel bearings are worn.

SeaCoupe

I seriously doubt if your wheel bearings are "shot." What a load of crap. As long as you have not messed with them, continously parked your vehicle with the hubs submereged in water, played Das Boot, You are okay.

Bad bearings make noise and allow for wheel play that you can check for. Jack up the car, and yank on the tire. Insure there is no deflection.

We really should keep a list of the names of stupid service advisors that are trying to rake in cash.

E

paypaboi

Well the thing is with the lowenhart wheels. on it won't fit because the cap kinda bulges out and the wheel can't be put on.. is there an alternate cap i get then that is like flat instead of round?

paypaboi

Yeah thats what I was thinking man because I haven't heard any noises...haha @ Das boot!

Yeah I will do that today because im going to put my snow tires on for the winter so I will takes some pics...maybe you guys can tell me if they are ok or not from pics?

Glyn M Ruck

Shot bearings make a noise - period - you would hear them. That said you can't run with the grease cap off. Get crap in the bearings & they will be shot!

paypaboi

So what can I do since they won't fit with my wheels on? Is there another cap i can buy or do i need to just modify the caps that I have..?

Glyn M Ruck

I know of no other cap availability. Is there no way to modify the wheels? They are what is wrong for the car.

wblynch

Snow tires in Chino Hills?

Anyway... you may try some 1/8" or 1/4" wheel spacers to make room for those dust caps.

Your wheel bearings can certainly be destroyed by now if you've been running without those caps.

I would drive with stock wheels before I would remove the dust caps.

paypaboi

Hahaha yeah...I snowboard I drive up to Big bear every twice a week. But not snow snow tires...winter tires rather because I don't want to take my wheels into those conditions.

I didn't even know they were being taken off until the most recent time I was at Americas Tires where I go to get them switched every snowboarding season. And they handed me all my bolts and then the caps. I didn't think much of it until the service advisor just told me about it...

Glyn M Ruck

That's a good plan! or just have the wheel centres machined

motioneffects

Wheel bearings go bad all the time with Benz. I rarely seen the front wheel bearing make noise, but I do come across on many cars with excessive play. Have you seen a car towed in with missing front wheel due to excessive play in the bearings? Im a tech at a dealer and I have seen many cars towed with missing front wheel due to a worn out bearing assembly.

Taking the wheel bearing cap off of the hub is a no no. But you can check if your wheel bearings are shot. Jack the car up (make sure the front tires are off the ground) place your hand on the tires- 12 and 6 o'clock, and move the wheel. There will be a very small amount of play, but if you have more than 1/8" of play, then you need new wheel bearings.

paypaboi

I think im going to try the spacers sounds like a good plan to me too.

paypaboi

Thanks!!! Well the bearings checked out. They aren't shot but they were dirty as a M**** F**** i cleaned them and greased them...but still no caps yet. I'm looking for those spacers now!

Glyn M Ruck

Good. But get some caps on quickly - You would probably be sensible to regrease again if you pick up more dirt. Shows the sealing capability of modern greases.

Malsor13

i think i my wheel bearings might be shot. the other day i started hearing a noise while i was driving.. sounded kinda like grinding. then the ABS light came on and the ESP failure light came on to. lifted the front end and removed both wheels today and inspected both sides. the right side was tight with no play and nothing seemed wrong. the left side had play to it and the wheel hub was easily rotatable. So im guessing it has to be the bearings... any ideas?

MountainStone

I have a grinding noise at low speeds. I'll get the front end jacked up soon and check the wheels for movement. Is there a DIY for front bearing replacement?Is it possible to effect the repair in my garage or should I find a local tech?

ChrisRam

It really sounds like MB or someone needs to put out a real printed manual for this stuff.

To check your wheel bearings jack the front of your car up and wiggle the wheel from the top and bottom. If you can feel any play at all it could be a wheel bearing or a tie rod end (at least on every car that I have owned so far, I am just starting to dig into the MB).

The next test is to spin the tire and listen and feel for grinding. Since cars don't have full floating rotors and the brake pads will have a little contact with the rotors you really have to know what to feel for. Spin the tire fast and listen, spin it slow and feel for a stiff spot.

My new to me C320 has a slight vibration that is audible at 75 MPH, sort of a like a 130 Hz hum. When I get back from CES next week I will take some pictures of trouble shooting this sort of thing.

Glyn M Ruck

You guys need to buy the MB Maintenance & repair CD for the 203