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I have been going over my 2007 SL 65 from front to back refreshing a lot. When I got to the rear bearings in the wheel carriers I found out only after they were out that the *** bearings are no longer available. The Wheel carriers (at least on the 2007) had press in bearings as shown in the picture. The schematics show a beveled or slanted bearing that bolts to the wheel carrier so to do this option would require ordering the wheel carriers that accept this type of bearing but this increases the cost from maybe $250 to $300 per bearing to around $3000. The even bigger problem with this is these parts are on a hard back-order from Mercedes so it could be 6 months, 3 years or who knows when they would be available. Another option is to go with "Black" parts but then the price increases several times more than that.
I called *** and they said they no longer make that bearing. However, I was talking with a friend that retired from working maintenance at a major airline and was telling me how they had issues with bearings sometimes and I could do a custom order from *** or Timken and either could make a run of the bearing needed. I do not know what either companies minimum quanity would be for such an order but I wanted to put it out to the group and see who would be interested in some of the bearings as a group buy.
If anyone has another idea I am more than eager to hear it.
I have found bearing come in standard sizes and you should be able to find an equivalent size bearing. Try looking up the original *** part number to get the correct size. Alternatively take the bearing to driveshaft shop or some industrial gear box rebuilder and they could probably find something.
The axle cv boots were falling apart and dealing with significant corrosion & rust issues. Needed to use a torch as a last resort and never considered the bearings would not be available, hence the warning to everyone. Also, another warning the wheel hubs are no longer available. These had a lot of pitting but we glass beaded blasted them and then sent them off for salt bath nitriting so rust will not be an issue going forward.
After some amazing help from people at Pelican and *** we found SKF has a replacement bearing # GRW396 and Timken has one # WB000063. I hope this helps someone in the future.
The fronts are a different design than the rears and still available through FCP Euro and other retailers. There shouldn't be any problems getting those. I have some extra caps for the front if you need to buy those. One note on the front, if you replace the ball joint in the carrier it is a pain in the you-know-what to get in and out.
Last edited by Swamp_Fox; Mar 28, 2023 at 10:02 AM.
I have been going over my 2007 SL 65 from front to back refreshing a lot. When I got to the rear bearings in the wheel carriers I found out only after they were out that the *** bearings are no longer available. The Wheel carriers (at least on the 2007) had press in bearings as shown in the picture. The schematics show a beveled or slanted bearing that bolts to the wheel carrier so to do this option would require ordering the wheel carriers that accept this type of bearing but this increases the cost from maybe $250 to $300 per bearing to around $3000. The even bigger problem with this is these parts are on a hard back-order from Mercedes so it could be 6 months, 3 years or who knows when they would be available. Another option is to go with "Black" parts but then the price increases several times more than that.
I called *** and they said they no longer make that bearing. However, I was talking with a friend that retired from working maintenance at a major airline and was telling me how they had issues with bearings sometimes and I could do a custom order from *** or Timken and either could make a run of the bearing needed. I do not know what either companies minimum quanity would be for such an order but I wanted to put it out to the group and see who would be interested in some of the bearings as a group buy.
If anyone has another idea I am more than eager to hear it.
My bearing are also shot but I found them at MB. See below. Am I missing something?
Looks like I answered my own question. I was missing something. Just spoke with swampfox. Now I have a very good idea of what he's talking about. I appreciate all the help. Here's a link to the eBay auction for the bearings, if anyone's interested.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
