Home › Vehicles › Mercedes-Benz › Mercedes CLK
The short version
- Mercedes CLK wheel bearing service splits down the middle: the front is adjusted, the rear is pressed.
- Front sets are serviceable tapered bearings, A-17 inner and A-12 outer, across both CLK generations from 1998 to 2009.
- The V8 CLK500, CLK55 AMG and CLK550 use the same front sets as the CLK320 and CLK350.
- Every CLK rear, six or eight cylinder, takes the pressed 513130 bearing, a press job rather than a repack.
Mercedes built the CLK on a philosophy that feels old fashioned today: adjust what wears, press what does not. That split runs through every CLK wheel bearing job from 1998 through 2009, no matter which engine sits up front.
The classic Mercedes front
The CLK front hub carries a serviceable tapered bearing set, inner race A-17 and outer race A-12, the classic Mercedes design used across the brand for decades.
These are inspected, cleaned, greased and preload adjusted, not swapped as a sealed cartridge.
CLK wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 1998-2009 CLK320, CLK350 | Front bearing, outer race, tapered, serviceable | A-12 check price |
| 1998-2009 CLK320, CLK350 | Front bearing, inner race, tapered, serviceable | A-17 check price |
| 1998-2009 CLK500, CLK55 AMG, CLK550 | Front bearing, outer race, tapered, serviceable | A-12 check price |
| 1998-2009 CLK500, CLK55 AMG, CLK550 | Front bearing, inner race, tapered, serviceable | A-17 check price |
| 1998-2009, all CLK, six and eight cylinder | Rear bearing, pressed | 513130 check price |
Every model year this chart resolves: 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 one of the most reused bearing numbers in the aftermarket catalogs. It turns up on unrelated Volvo applications too, not just the CLK.
Match the application line in the table above, not the number’s familiarity, before ordering a CLK wheel bearing.
One family, one front design
The A-17 and A-12 tapered set is not unique to the CLK. The SLK roadster, covered on the SLK page, uses the same serviceable front design and the same preload ritual.
The broader lineup rundown sits on the Mercedes page, useful for checking a sibling model before assuming a part carries over.
A ritual, not a swap
Front CLK wheel bearing service means a repack and a preload adjustment, done on a schedule rather than at failure.
The rear is different work entirely, a press job for 513130, since there is nothing to adjust once it seats in the knuckle.
Diagnosing a CLK wheel bearing
- Listen for a speed-linked drone. A worn CLK wheel bearing hums louder as road speed climbs, not with engine RPM.
- Check preload before condemning the front. A loose or over-tight adjustment can mimic a worn set on this car.
- Rock the wheel at twelve and six. Play at either end points at the bearing, front or rear.
- Rule out the tires. Cupped or separated tread can sound similar; the tire noise page walks through the difference.
- Note how the sound changes in turns. The turning noise page helps place a load-sensitive growl on the correct side.
Common questions
What front bearing set fits a CLK320 or CLK350?
A-17 inner and A-12 outer, the same set used on every other CLK wheel bearing front through 2009.
Does the V8 CLK500 use a different front bearing than the CLK320?
No. Both use the identical A-17 and A-12 tapered set.
Is the CLK rear wheel bearing serviceable like the front?
No. The rear is a pressed unit, 513130, with no adjustment once it is installed.
Does 513130 fit other cars besides the CLK?
The number also appears on unrelated Volvo applications. Match the application line, not the part number’s reputation.
How often should CLK front bearings be repacked?
Treat it as scheduled maintenance rather than a fixed mileage: the front set is repacked and adjusted on inspection, not run until it fails.