1975 W114 brake caliper and wheel bearing rebuild

[messerschmidtt]

I'm doing a brake overhaul on my 1975 W114. Caliper removal, dismantle, cleanup, fitting of new seal kits all round, front and rear, re-assembly, new brake fluid in the whole brake system. All is going well, there was some difficulty in removing the seized front caliper pistons (0ne was very badly seized in the cylinder) but air pressure and perseverance got me there. Wheel bearings also need to be replaced, especially the front ones, there is no doubt about that. I have purchased the wheel bearing kits for front and rear. I have never done this job before, on any car, and would appreciate any advice from someone who has already done this job, especially the rear bearings. I dont feel that confident with the rear bearing change procedure. I was wondering if the wheel hubs are easily removed perhaps I would be better off just taking the hubs to a mechanic or specialist to have the bearings and races removed/ new ones reinstalled etc. Are special tools needed? If so, are they easy to obtain? Input by someone who has done this job, front and/or rear, would be appreciated, peter

[CraigB]

Someone will probably answer this better, but front wheel bearings is straight forward and same as any car. Carefully use a hammer and punch to knock the shells out unless you have a press handy. Rears i have never done and usually have great longevity. I know you have purchased them, but I would be tempted to do fronts and then see how the rears go. You can grab the wheel and feel for movement too. I have a feeling I have read here that you need to pull the rear suspension out to be able to press the rears in and out.

But hoping someone with more experience on this responds.

[messerschmidtt]

thanks craig for your input. Yes, I had a feeling, from the bit of research I had done before, bit mostly, AFTER purchasing the front AND rear bearing rebuild kits, that the rears might be a more complex job and that they might be okay anyway. I went ahead with the purchase of the rear bearing kits as they are available from a supplier in Australia and were not expensive at AU$59.00 per side and $13 shipping for both sets (Mapco). I think your suggestion of doing the front wheels and just checking the rears is a good one. I'm not sure if just repacking the grease on the rears is an option or if that is a big job too..I'll check that out.