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The short version
- The 1990-2002 SL500 wheel bearing up front is a serviceable tapered pair, A-17 inner with A-12 outer. The SL320 rows match that same pairing.
- 2003-2009 SL500 and SL550 fronts move to inner 32008 with outer A-12.
- Rears run pressed 513130 for 1990-2002. From 2003 onward, match the old part or VIN at the counter.
- This roadster asks for old-school preload work at the front hub, the same discipline the SLK demands.
A convertible that spends more time parked than driven still needs fresh grease at the front hub. Low mileage does not slow down grease age the way it slows down wear. That is the quiet trap on a car like this.
The tapered pair that carries most of the range
This inner and outer pairing covers the SL500 wheel bearing front on every 1990-2002 SL500 and 500SL, and the SL320 rows use the same pair.
It is a hand-adjusted set, not a cartridge, so preload gets checked and reset rather than replaced as a sealed unit.
SL500 wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 2003-2009 SL500, SL550 | Front inner | 32008 check price |
| 2003-2009 SL500, SL550 | Front outer | A-12 check price |
| 2003-2009 SL500, SL550 | Rear | Match old part or VIN |
| 1990-2002 SL500, 500SL, SL320 | Front inner | A-17 check price |
| 1990-2002 SL500, 500SL, SL320 | Front outer | A-12 check price |
| 1990-2002 SL500, 500SL, SL320 | Rear, pressed | 513130 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.
Unlike the 1990-2002 rear, which is a straight 513130 across the board, the 2003 onward rear does not carry one confirmed number here.
Match the old part or match the VIN at the counter for a 2003-2009 SL500 or SL550 rear rather than guessing from an earlier year.
A roadster built on sedan mechanicals
The SL500 wheel bearing front hardware traces back to the same tapered catalog used on hand-adjusted sedans of the same era. Full sedan context sits at the S-Class page, which shares the later 32008 and A-12 front pairing.
The smaller SLK roadster faces the identical low-mileage grease problem described above. See the SLK bearing guide, or start at the Mercedes-Benz hub page for the broader lineup.
Preload work never goes away on this car
Setting the front hub correctly on an SL500 means the same hand adjustment covered on the adjustment page. There is no sealed cartridge to swap in and walk away from.
Grease that sits too long in a low-mileage car can still break down or attract moisture. The repack guide covers how often that grease should be refreshed regardless of miles driven.
Diagnosing an SL500 wheel bearing
- Listen for a drone that tracks speed. A failing SL500 wheel bearing hums louder as road speed rises, not with engine RPM.
- Note any change through turns. Load shifts across the front axle in a corner, so the noise can swell one way and ease the other.
- Check tread wear first. Cupped or uneven tires can sound like a bearing problem, so rule that out before condemning the hub.
- Jack the car and rock the wheel. Grip the tire at 12 and 6 o’clock and check for play a sound hub should not have.
- Spin the wheel by hand. Grinding or rough texture with the wheel off the ground points straight at the bearing.
Common questions
Does the SL320 use the same front bearing as the SL500?
Yes, for the 1990-2002 years covered here. Both use A-17 inner with A-12 outer at the front.
What front bearing fits a 2005 SL550?
A 2005 SL550 uses inner 32008 with outer A-12. That pairing runs across the 2003-2009 SL500 and SL550 range.
Is the rear bearing the same on a 1998 and a 2005 SL500?
No, and the 2005 side is not fully pinned down here. The 1998 car uses the pressed 513130 rear, while a 2003 and later rear should be matched to the old part or VIN.
Why would a low-mileage SL500 still need a wheel bearing job?
Grease breaks down over time, not just over miles. A car that sits often can develop the same front hub symptoms as one driven hard.
Is the SL500 wheel bearing front adjustable or sealed?
On 1990-2009 cars covered here, the front is a serviceable tapered set. It gets adjusted for preload rather than replaced as a sealed cartridge.