[richas]

My right rear wheel bearing is whining. I am proficient mechanically, was a BMW tech decades ago. That said I don’t wanna get stuck in the middle of this job not being able to get an axle out or something and have to have it taken to the shop. on the other hand, I’m getting quoted about 900 bucks to replace this so I’m thinking about doing it myself. I’ve looked at a few videos and that’s helped but I see some technique that looks dubious. Has anyone done this job and can recommend a set of tools, for example, the proper bearing remover and installer kit? It looks like I would need a large slide hammer to get the hub off.

Thanks

Rich

[MidWillamette335d]

Just did my fronts, bout ready to tackle the rears very soon. Watched many videos also, here's what I've gathered: 1) access hub. 2) press axle into spindle to loosen. 3) remove axle. 4) use slide hammer to remove spindle. 5) use bearing remover to remove inner race from spindle. 6) remove snap ring and use other bearing tool to remove outer race from hub. 7) use same bearing tool to install new bearing into hub. 8) install snap ring. 9) use bearing tool to press spindle into bearing while bracing the inner race from the back. 10) re-install everything. Here is a rental list from AZ which I believe includes all the tools for the job.

Also...though not lifetime like FCP, I got my front hub kits and rear bearings from Parts Geek for OEM F.A.G./Schaffler. 276 including shipping for all 4 corners which was the best price I could find for immediate availability (for anybody currently shopping for them).

Good luck with your project...

[Efthreeoh]

The E91 has the same bearing/axle design as the E30 - E46.

[e90_austin]

A BMW tech that never had to pull an axle and press a wheel bearing? Lube tech?

[richas]

I stopped working on BMWs right around E36 era. The rear wheel bearings were done all the time, but we had all the factory tools And we had a hydraulic press.

[wrevilo]

$900 seems crazy expensive. I had the rear bearings on my E81 130i replaced with SKF parts along with a few other works and it wasn't an expensive job, even though it took a while.

[lookalikehuuh]

I would like to say i am pretty proficient myself and have tons of tools. I tackled the rear bearing job on my 07 335i and OMG that thing kicked my butt.

Getting it off was the easy part, you do need a good slide hammer, wheel bearing press for sure to press the bearing out and new one in and pressing the hub in as well.

For me the pain in the ass part was getting the Axle shaft seated into the spindle itself. It was IMPOSSIBLE to push that damn thing in. I ended up tearing up the original axle shaft trying to hammer it in. So after buying a brand new one it still wouldn't go in. No matter what I tried that sucker would not go in I greased it tried everything under the sun. Eventually out of sheer frustration I had to remove the entire rear knuckle and banged the hub face on the floor (with a couple of boxes in between the hub face and floor) to finally force it in.

The videos that I saw online definitely didn't show the axle being that difficult to push in, but man... mine was tough. It definitely took me like 6+ hours to get it sorted.


As far as tools go, you need standard set of tools(sockets and ratchets), plus a heavy slide hammer, a bearing press and 1/2 inch Milwaukee Impact gun.

[Suvorovo]

Get one of these to pull the axle in.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto...xoCHO4QAvD_BwE

I didn't use it for my CV axle job but man would it have helped! Also you don't risk damaging the differential with hammering.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by richas

I stopped working on BMWs right around E36 era. The rear wheel bearings were done all the time, but we had all the factory tools And we had a hydraulic press.

The tools I listed will easily get the shaft out and the bearing pressed out and pulled in. It's the exact same design as an E36 (the E90 325/328i use the same bearing as the E36). Getting the shaft back in the knuckle requires alignment of the splines and a shove from the diff-side CV, just enough to get the axle nut on a few turns, then slowly pull the shaft into the knuckle.

The hardest part is separating the inner races from the the hub flange.

[richas]

Ok. Thanks all for the help. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Rich