Mercedes-Benz E-Class: How to Replace Wheel Hub Bearing
Learn how to replace your E-Class' wheel hub bearings yourself and save a ton of money in the process. Read on for the step-by-step guide.
This article applies to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class w211 and w212 (2002-Present).
If you've never replaced or fixed a wheel hub bearing yourself, then chances are you've never seen one. The wheel hub bearing is buried deep inside the wheel assembly of your Mercedes-Benz, and it plays a big role in handling as well as overall safety. Bearings are designed to let specific parts spin or rotate freely, so they endure massive amounts of friction and produce a lot of heat. Bearings rely on internal sealed beads to remain balanced and spin at high RPM. Therefore, as your wheel and axle turn, they will do so in a stable and safe manner. Once the lubricant in these bearings wear out (commonly due to high mileage), they can start squeaking or making grinding noises. If your E-Class' wheels are showing these symptoms, inspect and replace the bearings as soon as possible by following the steps below.
Materials Needed
- Hydraulic floor jack and jack stands
- Flat head screwdriver
- 5mm Allen wrench
- 14mm socket and ratchet
- Soft rubber mallet
- Hammer
- Zip ties or bungee cord
- Wheel bearing grease
- Shop rags
Step 1 – Jack up the car
- Before you can access the wheel bearings, use a floor jack and and jack stands to lift the rear or front end.
- Loosen the lug nuts prior to lifting, and remove them entirely once the vehicle is lifted.
- Then, remove the wheel and set it side.
Step 2 – Remove the brake assembly
- Use a ratchet and 14mm socket to remove two mounting bolts on the back side of the caliper.
- Slide the caliper up and off of the brake rotor. Then use a zip tie or bungee cord to hang it from a fixed suspension component, so the brake fluid line or sensors do not get torn or damaged.
- Use a rubber mallet to hammer the back side of the rotor as you rotate it.
Step 3 – Remove the old wheel bearing
- Use the flat head screwdriver to pry off the grease cap. You may need to tap the screwdriver with a hammer for added leverage. Once the grease cap is off, you will see the center nut that holds the bearing in place.
- Use a small 5mm Allen wrench to loosen the nut, and then remove it by hand.
- Pull off the entire spindle assembly by hand. The wheel bearing will come off along with it.
- Clean the spindle and make sure all of the old grease has been removed before installing the new bearing.
Step 4 – Install the new wheel bearing
- Coat the new bearing and the spindle with wheel bearing grease.
- Insert the new bearing into the spindle.
- Then reattach the spindle.
- Re-install the entire wheel and brake assembly in reverse order.
- Re-install the grease cap.
- Mount the rotor.
- Re-install the brake caliper and secure it with the mounting bolts.
- Mount the wheel and tighten the lug nuts by hand.
- Lower the vehicle and torque the lug nuts.
Featured Video: Wheel Hub/Bearing Replacement
Related Discussions
- Front Wheel Bearing DIY Discussion - MBWorld.org
- E-Class Wheel Bearing Help Discussion - MBWorld.org