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The short version
- Rear-drive E-Class wheel bearing fronts use serviceable tapered sets. A-17 inner and A-12 outer cover 1996-2002 E320 cars, then inner 32008 with outer A-12 covers 2003-2009 E300, E320, E320 CDI and E350.
- Early 1993-1995 E320 sedans differ from that pattern. They pair an A-6 inner (seal 239155) with an A-2 outer.
- 4-Matic fronts are pressed instead of adjusted. 513130 covers 1998-2002 E320 4-Matic, then 510083 covers 2003-2009 E300, E320 and E350 4-Matic.
- Rears run pressed 513130 across the six-cylinder family and the V8 E500 and E55 rows. The exception is the 1990-1993 300E 4-Matic, which takes 511026.
Drivetrain layout draws the line through this car’s front hub design. Rear-drive E320, E300 and E350 sedans hand-adjust a tapered set at the factory torque spec. Cross to 4-Matic and the same corner becomes a sealed cartridge pressed into the knuckle.
The number that crosses the drivetrain line
This pressed unit covers the 1998-2002 E320 4-Matic front. It also doubles as the rear bearing across the six-cylinder E-Class family from 1998-2007, plus the V8 E500 and E55 rows from 1990-2002.
An E-Class wheel bearing order for 513130 has to specify the corner. The same casting does front duty on one drivetrain and rear duty on nearly everything else.
E-Class wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 2003-2009 E300, E320, E320 CDI, E350 (RWD) | Front inner | 32008 check price |
| 2003-2009 E300, E320, E320 CDI, E350 (RWD) | Front outer | A-12 check price |
| 2003-2009 E300, E320, E350 4-Matic | Front, pressed | 510083 check price |
| 1998-2002 E320 4-Matic | Front, pressed | 513130 check price |
| 1996-2002 E320 family (RWD) | Front inner | A-17 check price |
| 1996-2002 E320 family (RWD) | Front outer | A-12 check price |
| 1998-2007 E-Class six-cylinder | Rear, pressed | 513130 check price |
| 1990-2002 E500, E55 (V8) | Rear, pressed | 513130 check price |
| 1993-1995 E320 sedan (RWD) | Front inner (seal 239155) | A-6 check price |
| 1993-1995 E320 sedan (RWD) | Front outer | A-2 check price |
| 1990-1993 300E 4-Matic | 4-Matic, pressed | 511026 check price |
Every model year this chart resolves: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 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.
The 1990-1993 300E 4-Matic uses 511026. That is a different casting from the 513130 fitted to 1998-2002 E320 4-Matic fronts.
513130 also serves as a rear bearing on six-cylinder and V8 E-Class sedans. Match the position and generation before ordering an E-Class wheel bearing.
Shared parts across the sedan and coupe range
The rear-drive tapered sets carry over closely to the C-Class. Both cars draw on the same A-17 and A-12 catalog entries at the front hub, and details for that sibling sit on the C-Class page.
The CLK coupe shares the sedan’s platform and much of its front hub hardware. Its own listing is at the CLK bearing guide.
For the wider lineup, start at the Mercedes-Benz hub page.
Hand-adjusted work versus a cartridge swap
A rear-drive E-Class wheel bearing job means setting preload by feel or dial indicator. That routine is covered on the adjustment page.
4-Matic cars skip that step, since the unit presses into the knuckle as a sealed cartridge. The process is detailed on the press-in guide.
A hard pothole strike can knock preload out or crack a seal on either layout, and the pothole damage page covers what that looks like.
Diagnosing an E-Class wheel bearing
- Listen for speed-linked noise. A worn E-Class wheel bearing produces a drone that rises with road speed rather than engine RPM.
- Check for a change in turns. Load shifts across the axle in a corner, so a bad bearing often gets louder turning one way and quieter the other.
- Rule out the tires first. Cupped or uneven tread wear can mimic bearing drone, so check tread before condemning the hub.
- Jack the wheel and check play. Grip the tire at 12 and 6 o’clock and rock it, feeling for looseness a healthy bearing should not have.
- Spin and feel for roughness. With the wheel off the ground, spin it by hand and feel for grinding or notchy resistance through the hub.
Common questions
Are rear-drive and 4-Matic E-Class wheel bearing fronts interchangeable?
No. Rear-drive fronts are serviceable tapered sets like A-17 and A-12, while 4-Matic fronts are sealed units like 513130 or 510083 that press into the knuckle.
What front bearing fits a 2005 E320?
A rear-drive 2005 E320 takes inner 32008 with outer A-12. A 4-Matic 2005 E320 instead takes the pressed 510083 front unit.
Does the 1990-1993 300E 4-Matic share its bearing with later 4-Matic E-Class cars?
No. The 300E 4-Matic uses 511026, separate from the 513130 fitted to 1998-2002 E320 4-Matic fronts.
Is the rear E-Class wheel bearing the same across V8 and six-cylinder cars?
Yes, for the years covered here. 513130 serves as the rear bearing on both the six-cylinder family from 1998-2007 and the V8 E500 and E55 rows from 1990-2002.
What is different about the 1993-1995 E320 front bearing?
Those early sedans use an A-6 inner with seal 239155 and an A-2 outer. That pairing differs from the A-17 and A-12 sets used from 1996 onward.