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The short version
- Rear-drive C-Class wheel bearing fronts are serviceable tapered sets. A-17 inner and A-12 outer cover the C230, C240, C280, C320, C36 AMG and C32 AMG, roughly 1996-2007.
- 4-Matic fronts are pressed instead. 513130 covers the 2003-2009 C300, C320 and C350 4-Matic front.
- Rears are pressed 513130 across the family. That includes the 1998-2007 six-cylinder rows and the C55 AMG.
- 513130 does double duty by position, not by generation. It is a rear part on rear-drive cars and a front part on 4-Matic cars.
One part number, two jobs, and the job depends on which axle you are standing at. That is the whole story of this car’s bearing catalog. Get the position wrong and the part number alone will not save the order.
One number, two roles
On a rear-drive C230, C240, C280, C320, C36 AMG or C32 AMG, 513130 is the rear bearing. On a 2003-2009 C300, C320 or C350 4-Matic, the same number is the front bearing.
A C-Class wheel bearing counter order needs the corner and the drivetrain stated up front, since the part number by itself does not settle which end of the car it goes on.
C-Class wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 2003-2009 C300, C320, C350 4-Matic | Front, pressed | 513130 check price |
| 1996-2007 C230, C240, C280, C320 (RWD) | Front inner | A-17 check price |
| 1996-2007 C230, C240, C280, C320 (RWD) | Front outer | A-12 check price |
| 1996-2007 C36 AMG, C32 AMG (RWD) | Front inner | A-17 check price |
| 1996-2007 C36 AMG, C32 AMG (RWD) | Front outer | A-12 check price |
| 1998-2007 C-Class six-cylinder | Rear, pressed | 513130 check price |
| C55 AMG | Rear, pressed | 513130 check price |
Every model year this chart resolves: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Price links lead to Amazon searches for that number. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.
Lookups run through the cross reference page.
513130 is not a typo repeated down the rear-drive and 4-Matic rows of this table. It genuinely sits at the rear on a rear-drive C-Class and at the front on a 4-Matic C-Class.
A parts counter that only reads the number, not the drivetrain, can hand over a correct part for the wrong corner. Confirm rear-drive versus 4-Matic before checking out.
Family resemblance in the sedan lineup
The A-17 and A-12 front pairing is not unique to the C-Class. The E-Class runs the same tapered set on its rear-drive fronts, and the two pages line up closely on that point.
The full E-Class breakdown, including its own pressed 4-Matic fronts, is at the E-Class page.
For the smaller SLK roadster built on related mechanicals, see the SLK bearing guide. The full model range starts at the Mercedes-Benz hub page.
Adjust it or press it, know which one you have
A rear-drive C-Class wheel bearing front is set to spec with a hand adjustment, the routine covered on the adjustment page. A 4-Matic front instead comes out and goes back in as a press job.
That press process is walked through on the press-in guide. Either layout can be knocked out of spec by a hard hit, and the pothole damage page covers the warning signs.
Diagnosing a C-Class wheel bearing
- Listen for a speed-linked drone. A failing C-Class wheel bearing hums louder as road speed climbs, unlike an engine or exhaust noise.
- Note whether turns change the sound. Weight shifts across the axle in a corner, so the drone often swells turning one way and eases the other.
- Check tread wear before blaming the hub. Cupped or feathered tires can sound a lot like a bearing, so rule tires out first.
- Jack the car and rock the wheel. Hold the tire at 12 and 6 o’clock and check for play a healthy hub should not have.
- Spin the wheel by hand. Feel for grinding, notching or roughness as it turns freely off the ground.
Common questions
Is 513130 the same part on every C-Class?
The number is the same, but the position changes. It is a rear bearing on rear-drive cars and a front bearing on 4-Matic cars.
What front bearing fits a rear-drive C280?
A rear-drive C280 uses the serviceable tapered set, A-17 inner with A-12 outer. This applies across the C230, C240, C280, C320, C36 AMG and C32 AMG range.
Does the C55 AMG use a different rear bearing?
No. The C55 AMG shares the pressed 513130 rear bearing with the rest of the six-cylinder C-Class family.
Can a 4-Matic C-Class wheel bearing front be adjusted like a rear-drive one?
No. The 4-Matic front is a pressed unit with no adjustment, while the rear-drive front is a hand-set tapered pair.
Is the C-Class front bearing the same as the E-Class front bearing?
On rear-drive versions, yes. Both use A-17 inner and A-12 outer at the front hub.