Right Rear Axle REINSTALL Question 230sl

[vande17941]

Hey everyone. 230sl.... I have my right rear axle out because both seals failed and the axle was leaking differential fluid into the drum brake. I followed the instructions on this site on how to remove it. I now have the axle out with the nut and retainer off, the bearing remaining,  the backing plate with seal remain between the bearing and hub.

My question is this....I haven't been able to find a lot of info searching on here regarding the actual reinstall...can someone offer their guidance? Once I have the backing plate with new seal, bearing/nut/retainer, and the seal in the axle tube replaced.....how do I get the axle back in and how do I get the bearing back in, considering I have the drum brake backing plate on the axle? I image I carefully get the splines to line up and then tap the axle in with a hammer? How do I seat the bearing as the axle goes in? Mine does not have the circlips....any advice (the more detailed, the better) is greatly appreciated.

[Benz Dr.]

I hope you use the self aligning bearing and not the regular ball bearing type for the right side bearing. The design of the axle requires this special bearing - I won't use anything else.

 Gently tap the bearing to start it in after you get the spines started. The 7mm screws that also hold the backing plate on will pull everthing into place once you get the bearing in far enough.

[stickandrudderman]

And the bearings now supplied by both MB and FAG have too much end float in them.

[vande17941]

I suspect my bearing is fine as I heard no noise from it prior the fluid leak, though I will check it thoroughly once it's off the axle. How is my original bearing reinstalled,  if it's still fine?

What is this about a self-aligning bearing? And what do I do about bearings with too much end float? Any alternatives available?

[jameshoward]

Do a bit more searching about rear axle bearings. Dan is pointing out that the left and right bearings are different. One side uses a standard bearing; the other uses a special bearing that allows the race to move off the perpendicular as the floating axle moves up and down. You should make sure you have the correct bearings. A search will produce PNs and pics. Installation is exactly as Dan says: pack the bearing with plenty of grease and gently tap it in to the axle tube. When you tighten the studs on the backing plate (having replaced the gasket) the backing plate will pull the bearing into place.

Here's the best place to start: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=4487.0

[vande17941]

perfect... Got it! Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

[vande17941]

Finished it up...altogether and perfect.   Thanks for the advice

[Bonnyboy]

Mr. Stick,   you noted that the bearings supplied by FAG have too much end float  - what does that mean to me if I am going to replace my bearing.   I just opened up the $200 bearing from mercedes and it says FAG on it. 

Also - what brand of seal should I be going for - there seems to be a significant difference in price from say Corteco to DPH to whatever Mercedes supplies. 

These will be going on a 1969/70 280SL.  I have a low frequency and not very loud growling coming from my rear end and based on this forum it sounds like it could be a bearing.

[stickandrudderman]

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=22226.0