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How to change front wheel bearing on MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) – replacement guide

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Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 280 (129.058), MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 300 SL (129.060), MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 300 SL-24 (129.061), MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 320 (129.063), MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 500 (129.067), MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 500 SL (129.066), MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 600 (129.076), MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 60 AMG (129.067), MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 280 (129.059), MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 320 (129.064), MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 500 (129.068), MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 55 AMG, MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) 600 SL (129.076) … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

This video shows the replacement procedure of a similar car part on another vehicle

All the parts you need to replace – Wheel Bearing for SL (R129) and other MERCEDES-BENZ models

Alternative products

Wheel bearing kit

Replacement: wheel bearing – MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129). List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      All-purpose cleaning spray
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Multipurpose grease
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Combination spanner #32
                    
                      HEX bit No.H5
                    
                      Drive socket # 12
                    
                      Drive socket # E12
                    
                      Drive socket # 18
                    
                      Torx bit T30
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Impact screwdriver
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Round-nose pliers
                    
                      Bush and bearing driver set
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Rubber mallet
                    
                      Vice
                    
                      3-Arm Gear Puller
                    
                      Telescoping magnet
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: wheel bearing – MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129). AUTODOC experts recommend:

Do not re-use the bearing assembly of your MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129) car.
The wheel hub bearing replacement procedure is identical for both wheels on the same axle.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: wheel bearing – MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129). Use the following procedure:

Step 1

Open the bonnet. Unscrew the brake fluid reservoir cap.
Step 2

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 3

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 4

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.

Step 5

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129)
Step 6

Remove the wheel.
Step 7

Detach the connector of the brake pad wear sensor. Use round-nose pliers.
Step 8

Clean the brake caliper fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 9

Unscrew the brake caliper fastening. Use a drive socket #12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 10

Spread the brake pads. Use a crowbar.
Step 11

Remove the brake caliper.

Replacement: wheel bearing – MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129). Professionals recommend:
Tie the caliper to the suspension or to the body with a wire without disconnecting from the brake hose to prevent depressurization of the brake system.Make sure that the brake caliper is not hanging on the brake hose.Don't press the brake pedal after the brake caliper has been removed. As a result, the piston can fall out from the brake cylinder, and brake fluid leakage and depressurization of the system may occur. Check the brake caliper bracket, brake caliper guide pins and boots. Clean them. Replace, if necessary.
Step 12

Remove the brake pads.
Step 13

Clean the brake caliper bracket fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 14

Unscrew the caliper bracket fastening. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 15

Remove the caliper bracket.
Step 16

Clean the brake disc fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 17

Unscrew the brake disc fastening. Use Torx T30. Use an impact screwdriver.
Step 18

Remove the brake disc.
Step 19

Remove the wheel hub nut cap. Use a crowbar. Use a hammer.

Replacement: wheel bearing – MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129). Tip from AUTODOC:
In some cars, the wheel hub nut is not protected with a cap.
Step 20

Loosen the wheel hub fastening nut screw. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.

Step 21

Make a mark on the hub nut.

Step 22

Unscrew the hub nut.

Step 23

Remove the fastening nut.

Step 24

Remove the wheel hub bearing. Use a telescoping magnet.
Step 25

Remove the wheel hub together with the bearing.
Step 26

Grip the wheel hub together with the bearing in a vice.
Step 27

Remove the old O-ring. Use a crowbar.
Step 28

Remove the wheel hub bearing.
Step 29

Loosen the vice and remove the hub.
Step 30

Pull the bearing inner race out of the wheel hub. Use a bush and bearing driver set.
Step 31

Pull the bearing inner race out of the wheel hub. Use 3-Arm Gear Puller. Use a bush and bearing driver set.
Step 32

Clean the hub. Use a wire brush. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 33

Treat the mounting seat of the bearing assembly. Use a multipurpose grease.
Step 34

Install the inner race of the wheel bearing into the hub. Use a bush and bearing driver set.
Step 35

Treat the mounting seat of the bearing assembly. Use a multipurpose grease.
Step 36

Install the inner race of the wheel bearing into the hub. Use a bush and bearing driver set.
Step 37

Place the hub in the vice.
Step 38

Treat the mounting seat of the bearing assembly. Use a multipurpose grease.
Step 39

Install a new wheel hub bearing.
Step 40

Release the vice and take out the wheel hub together with the bearing.
Step 41

Install the new O-ring. Use a bush and bearing driver set.

Step 42

Clean the fasteners of the brake disc cover. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 43

Unscrew the fasteners of the brake disc cover. Use a drive socket #E12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 44

Remove the brake disc cover.
Step 45

Clean the wheel hub mounting seat. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 46

Install the brake disc cover.
Step 47

Screw in the fasteners of the brake disc cover. Use a drive socket #E12. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 11 Nm torque.
Step 48

Treat the mounting seat of the bearing assembly. Use a multipurpose grease.
Step 49

Install the new wheel hub together with the bearing.
Step 50

Install a new wheel hub bearing.
Step 51

Install the fastening nut.

Replacement: wheel bearing – MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129). Tip:
Insert the hub nut according to the mark.
Step 52

Screw on the hub nut.

Step 53

Install the cap of the hub nut.
Step 54

Clean the hub. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 55

Install the brake disc.
Step 56

Tighten the brake disc fastening. Use Torx T30. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 9 Nm torque.
Step 57

Clean the brake caliper bracket from dirt and dust. Use a wire brush. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: wheel bearing – MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129). After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 58

Install the brake caliper bracket.
Step 59

Tighten the brake caliper bracket. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 115 Nm torque.
Step 60

Install the brake pads.
Step 61

Install the brake caliper and fix it. Use a drive socket #12. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 25 Nm torque.
Step 62

Attach the connector of the brake pad wear sensor.
Step 63

Remove the wheel hub nut cap.
Step 64

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129)
Step 65

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 66

Adjust the wheel bearing. Use a combination spanner #32.

Replacement: wheel bearing – MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129). AUTODOC experts recommend:
Do not apply excessive force when tightening the wheel hub nut. This can damage the tapered roller bearings.
Step 67

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 68

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129)
Step 69

Remove the wheel.
Step 70

Screw in the wheel hub fastening nut screw. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 71

Treat the wheel hub bearing. Use a multipurpose grease.
Step 72

Install the cap of the hub nut. Use a rubber mallet. Use a crowbar.
Step 73

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 74

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: wheel bearing – MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129). After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 75

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R129)
Step 76

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 77

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.
Step 78

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 79

Tighten the brake fluid reservoir cap. Close the hood.

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