Please help me? HOW do I replace the support bearing?

There is humming sound and lots of play when i pull in the Drive axle close to the support bearing PLEASE!!
2002 ML 320

 

How do you know you have a problem with the driveshaft bearing? What does it sound like when you drive? On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being annoyingly loud) how would you rate the sound volume?

There are a few links in this forum (do a search) on how to replace the bearing.. About 2-4 hours work apparently….

 

Oh thank you so much 67 tree for the responce (ps this is when i kick myself for not purchasing the CD manual ££%^)
The noice is like a 5 and is all is speed not engine noice starts from about 10km/h I had a friend walk beside car drove with windows open noise emanating from back of car, with windows open right rear, took right rear wheel off looked for play as cv enters hub no movement. Got under driveshaft pulled on it back and forth near the centre and there is a lot of play.
I will try sreach again but there was not much info, unless i am a search idiot

 

Its like a humming noice whic increases just like a plane accelerating and foot off gas from lets say 80km/h slowing on compression, its still there.
What ltd info I can see is that the job consists of maybe 8 - 10, 16mm bolts?? but the new bearing to remove it and place new on on does it require machine press? or is it the same as seating or unseating wheel hub bearing? And is theseating done with bearing housing in the vehicle still ? I am clueless

 

Did you ever figure out how to do this... does it require pressing the bearing in?

 

you must remove the drive shaft from the car. front and rear shaft together. there are 2 16mm bolts that are kind of hard to access and are usually very tight. remove the shaft from the rear diff then from the front diff then the 16mm bolts first. then you will need a puller to remove the bearing. the dealer charges about 5 hours labor.

 

Very easy task, about 1 hr. with smoke brake! First take off two bearing support screws with 16mm ratcheting box wrench works best. Before braking them loose, mark both ends of support bearing bracket to frame for alignment of new support bearing with center line of the vehicle (there is too much play on bracket and these two screws).
Then you need to remove 4 screws from rear diferencial (16mm short swivel socket works best there) again mark diferencial flange with driveshaft to match them later. last, take the front off from transfer case with 6mm hex wrench.
I went to a local library to access aldata and printed out complete procedure with pictures. Mark line between front and rear section of driveshaft before splitting them into two pieces to match them later for correct balance.
You need 8mm wrench to remove one joint bearing clamp, loosen up the oposite one and voila. Bearing was fairly easy to remove and install, I don't remember if I used arbor press and piece of pipe or not. Center support I got was from e-bay for $100, dealer was asking double. I will try to scan and post pictures with procedure, or send me PM with your e-mail address. I also have 163 Star manual, it should be there too.