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The short version
- SLK wheel bearing service is another Mercedes front and rear split: adjust up front, press in back.
- Front sets are serviceable tapered bearings, A-17 inner and A-12 outer, for SLK320, SLK32 AMG, SLK300 and SLK350.
- The early SLK230 uses the same serviceable front design; match the old sets when ordering for it.
- Rear across the whole range, SLK230 through SLK55 AMG, takes the pressed 513130 bearing.
A roadster that mostly sees weekend miles wears its bearings differently than a commuter car. The SLK spends long stretches parked between drives, and that idle time matters as much as the odometer for a front set that runs on grease rather than a sealed cartridge.
The old-school front
The SLK front hub uses a serviceable tapered bearing set, inner race A-17 and outer race A-12, across SLK320, SLK32 AMG, SLK300 and SLK350.
The set is inspected, repacked and preload adjusted, the same ritual Mercedes applied across the lineup for decades.
SLK wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 1996-2009 SLK320, SLK32 AMG, SLK300, SLK350 | Front bearing, outer race, tapered, serviceable | A-12 check price |
| 1996-2009 SLK320, SLK32 AMG, SLK300, SLK350 | Front bearing, inner race, tapered, serviceable | A-17 check price |
| Early SLK230 | Front bearing set, serviceable tapered, same design | match old part |
| 1996-2009, SLK230, SLK280, SLK300, SLK320, SLK350, SLK55 AMG | Rear bearing, 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.
The early SLK230 follows the same serviceable tapered design as the rest of the range, but the sheet gives it no distinct catalog number of its own.
Pull the old inner and outer races and match them physically rather than guessing at a SLK wheel bearing part number for that car.
A shared design with the CLK
The A-17 and A-12 tapered set is not exclusive to the SLK. The CLK coupe, covered on the CLK page, uses the identical front bearings and the same preload adjustment.
The full lineup overview is on the Mercedes page if a sibling model needs checking first.
Grease age, not mileage
A weekend roadster racks up light mileage, so the SLK wheel bearing front set rarely wears out from distance alone. Grease breaks down sitting still just as it does turning, and a set left too long between repacks can dry out before the odometer says it should.
The rear does not share that concern. It is a pressed unit, 513130, with nothing to inspect until it fails.
Diagnosing a SLK wheel bearing
- Check the car’s history first. A low-mileage SLK that sat for years is a better candidate for dried front grease than a high-mileage daily driver.
- Listen for a speed-linked drone. The pitch rises and falls with road speed rather than engine RPM.
- Rock the wheel at twelve and six. Play in either direction points at the bearing.
- Weave gently at low speed. The turning noise page helps place a load-sensitive growl on the correct side.
- Rule out the tires. Cupped tread can sound close to a bearing; the checking page covers the difference.
Common questions
What front bearing set fits an SLK320 or SLK350?
A-17 inner and A-12 outer, the same serviceable tapered set used across the SLK range.
Is there a separate SLK230 front bearing number?
Not in the catalogs we hold. The early SLK230 shares the same design, so match the old sets rather than ordering blind.
Does the SLK rear wheel bearing get repacked like the front?
No. The rear is a pressed 513130 bearing across the range, a press job rather than serviceable maintenance.
Does the CLK use the same front bearing as the SLK?
Yes. Both cars share the A-17 and A-12 tapered set and the same preload adjustment.
Why would a low-mileage SLK need a wheel bearing?
Grease ages with time, not just distance. A roadster that sits between drives can still need a repack on schedule.