Rear Axle Bearing numbers

[hands_aus]

Hello Group,
Does anyone know the numbers on the Rear AXLE bearings themselves?

I have the Mercedes Parts Numbers

RHS     000 981 05 06  self centering Roller bearing
LHS     008 981 42 25  standard ball bearing

A local bearing shop guy gave me a number for the LH Side as being 6208 but he had never heard of the other type of bearing for the RH Side.

I figure there must be a standard number for the RH Side bearing too.

Thanks for your help

Bob (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[Ben]

Hi Bob,
  I believe Dan mentioned somewhere recently that the left WAS standard but the right was specific to Mercedes !

I could be wrong so maybe wait for someone who has been there to chime it !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[hands_aus]

Ben,
Thanks, the reason I ask is because the MB price in Australia is $316.95 and the MB USA price is $109.06 for the same RH Side wheel bearing.

There is such disparity in the price between continents that I thought I would try locating a  local bearing.

Bob (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, Bob,
I am told that RH bearing is a cylinderical roller bearing!!
Guess it allows for a bit if flex on the pivoted side of the axle.
Have been trying since yesterday but none of our bearing suppliers can cross-refer either part numbers.
Seems like US is cheaper than euro prices!!
naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[George Davis]

Bob,

the Tabellenbuch p. 392 gives the following dimensions for the RHS self-aligning (self-centering, spherical) roller bearing:

Inner diameter 40 mm
Outer diameter 80 mm
Width 18 mm
Bearing radial play 0.020 to 0.030 mm
Maximum allowed axial play 0.70 mm

With these specs your bearing shop may be able to come up with something.  The book doesn't give other specs such as max radial and axial loading, but I'd guess the loading specs should be similar to the LHS bearing.

Good luck!

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

[hughet]

Bob,
I had to replace a rear wheel bearing in my 230 SL in conjunction with a rear axle swapout from a 280SE 4.5 3.27 axle. (Best thing I have done to the car because my rear axle was very loose, leaky and wouldn't pass inspection because there was too much bearing play in the rear. On top of that I got disk brakes and a much better running car) The axle I got had too much play in the right hand side. according to the big blue book for later models, 000 981 05 06 is used for both sides. I ordered a new rear axle kit from Bud's in Atlanta in November '01 and paid $49 plus shipping for 000 981 05 06 and was told that that bearing was a substitution for all bearings both sides on earlier models. I am not sure if this is true but out of curiosity I actually did an autopsy on my old rear axle and from looking at the bearings on both sides, I could not see why the new bearing would not be an improvement.
John Livingston has a long thread about the same axle swap that he did recently and he had to replace a bearing so you might check it also.
Tom Hughes
St. Louis, MO

[hands_aus]

Hey Naj, George, Hugh, Ben,

Thanks for your replies.

I have found the other “standard” number.

When the local bearing shop guy asked me what year the car was, he ducked out the back and came back with the SKF and FAG catalogues of the same year.

He asked for the MB part number and then proceeded to find the correct bearing number.

The SKF catalogue had no reference at all to the MB 000 981 05 06 number.

However the FAG catalogue showed the RH Side bearing standard number to be

20208 with a follow up number 565 889  F51  that he said would be a drawing of the bearing.

He also found the standard number for the LH Side Bearing 6208 with a follow up number of C3,  361612

Again, thanks

Bob (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[hands_aus]

Hey guys,

I recently ordered that MB bearing for the RHS rear wheel along with lots of other parts.

It turned up today. It was in a MB box with a part number on it but it is the FAG 20208 bearing.

The parts I ordered if bought in Australia would have cost AUD $1700.00  including all taxes and freight. Buying them from the USA and paying all taxes and freight cost AUD $900.00 a saving of $800.00 after tax dollars.

This is not the first time I have bought parts from the USA with a huge cost saving which has allowed me to spend my money doing other things to my car.

Bob (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[Ben]

Wow......thats is some difference !!

BTW that 6208.C3 is a standard off the shelf bearing, I even carry them here.......about €25 worth !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[hands_aus]

Hey Ben,

I priced the 6208 here at about $29.00

cheers

Bob (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[Benz Dr.]

Hi all,
I can't say if the self centering bearing is only used by MB, but my bearing shop couldn't find any other aplication for it. This bearing MUST be used for the right hand axel or it will knock under heavy defections and may take the U joint out over time. The U joint price makes the bearing price seem cheap - VERY cheap.

I've learned to not try and trick these cars. The car knows what it needs and what it likes. The right parts make it work right......

Daniel G Caron