are the 2 rear wheel bearings the same now

[erickmarciano]

Hi all
I was told we can use the same bearing as the left for the right one on the rear wheel bearing is this true?
the correct right one I way more expensive.
thanks

2004 Volvo V70-R
1971 280sl
1962 VW bug
1971 Harley FLH
1962 gs160 vespa

[George Des]

The bearings are different. The side with the sliding joint requires the self aligning roller bearing. It is more expensive--about $90.00 last time I checked, but this is one of those jobs you should do once and do right.

George Des

[bpossel]

I agree w/George.  Do it right!  Buy the correct bearing.  The labor is the hard part.  The cost of the bearing is cheap compared to your time and effort.  It is a bit more tricky to install the dual bearing, but this is what our cars are designed for.
Joe A did a great "tour" posting for this...
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[erickmarciano]

called Millers , KK and they also told me they sell the left for the right . will try to locate the correct right one

thanks

2004 Volvo V70-R
1971 280sl
1962 VW bug
1971 Harley FLH
1962 gs160 vespa

[al_lieffring]

From what I remember, only the 112 and 109 chassis 300 series cars with air suspension and the 108 with 4.5 engines came with the roller bearing on the right side out of the factory.
But the ball bearing on the right had a high failure rate. When we replaced them we always used the roller bearing on the right side, whether they had springs or air ride.

Al

Al Lieffring
66 230Sl
Jones'n for a new gas tank

[hands_aus]

Eric
use the correct bearing. It is a FAG 20208

I went to a local bearing shop and the guy had the old catalogues from 1967.
SKF did not make the bearings that year. FAG were the people.

The MB part numbers were in the catalogue

From the EPC  .... A000 981 05 06 ...BARREL TYPE BEARING RIGHT REAR

Try Caliber Motors they sold me mine ... was a lot cheaper than in Aus.

Al
The company I used installed my old RHS rear self aligning bearing in a 190sl axle they were rebuilding.

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

[JimVillers]

At Duval Motors, 000 981 05 06 (CYLNDRCL RLL, $92)
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=213951

Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-Speed, 190E 2.3-16 Kompressor, MGB 5-Speed

[cth350]

Most definitely get the right bearing, make sure it's installed correctly and make sure the axle is reattached correctly. There is a great thread on this subject over at www.m-100.cc including how to test the correct installation and what happens when you don't do it.

-CTH

[erickmarciano]

do you have the exact link?
thanks

2004 Volvo V70-R
1971 280sl
1962 VW bug
1971 Harley FLH
1962 gs160 vespa

[erickmarciano]

just purchased the bearing from  Duval Motors and does not look like wery good quality should the inner cage be plastic?
thanks

2004 Volvo V70-R
1971 280sl
1962 VW bug
1971 Harley FLH
1962 gs160 vespa

[glennard]

2 cents worth.   My understanding is all bearings/seals etc. have a uniform number/labeling system.  Get the number from the old one and go to a 'bearing house' and buy the Timken/FAG/SKF/NH etc. replacement at the best price.  This has been about 25% of the MB/dealer price.  MB is buying theirs from one of these guys- hopefully not Chinese.

[glennard]

Googled 'FAG 20208' --got 219 euros in 2006.

quote:Originally posted by hands_aus

Eric
use the correct bearing. It is a FAG 20208

I went to a local bearing shop and the guy had the old catalogues from 1967.
SKF did not make the bearings that year. FAG were the people.

The MB part numbers were in the catalogue

From the EPC  .... A000 981 05 06 ...BARREL TYPE BEARING RIGHT REAR

Try Caliber Motors they sold me mine ... was a lot cheaper than in Aus.

Al
The company I used installed my old RHS rear self aligning bearing in a 190sl axle they were rebuilding.

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

[George Des]

As n oted, you should be able to get this bearing from a good bearing house for about $90-100. As I recall, the inner cage was synthetic on many of the bearings I've come across. Not sure on this one though--if you stick with FAG/SKF/Timken you won't go wrong.

George Des

[jeffc280sl]

I paid about $90 for the barrel bearing and it did not have any plastic/synthetic components.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed