Changing front wheel bearing?
Discussion
Just some tips for anyone doing this - you'll know it needs doing by the noise from the wheel affected and the wobble you get if you grab the roadwheel in the 12 and 6 o'clock (or 9 and 3 o'clock) while it is jacked off the floor.
1. Soak all the bolts in PlusGas or equivalent for 24hrs prior - you'll be sorry if you don't (like I was..)
2. Buy a Haynes manual, an 18mm socket and a good ball joint splitter. You'll also need a socket for the driveshaft nut and a very long torq bar to undo it!
3. If you do have to take off the whole hub - go easy on the strut pinch bolt (like I didn't....)
4. Expect to pay about £20 to get the remains of the pinch bolt drilled out!
5. Buy the new bearing from Ebay (£90 approx), not BMW (£130+VAT) - same bearing!!!
6. I couldn't free the ABS/Wheel speed sensor so left it on - didn't get in the way and still works fine now.
7. Could be a nice easy job if all bolts loosen easily - my '02 car decided not to help in this way.
Seriously, this is a doable job for most diyers but anticipate siezed nuts and replace with new ones. Cheers
1. Soak all the bolts in PlusGas or equivalent for 24hrs prior - you'll be sorry if you don't (like I was..)
2. Buy a Haynes manual, an 18mm socket and a good ball joint splitter. You'll also need a socket for the driveshaft nut and a very long torq bar to undo it!
3. If you do have to take off the whole hub - go easy on the strut pinch bolt (like I didn't....)
4. Expect to pay about £20 to get the remains of the pinch bolt drilled out!
5. Buy the new bearing from Ebay (£90 approx), not BMW (£130+VAT) - same bearing!!!
6. I couldn't free the ABS/Wheel speed sensor so left it on - didn't get in the way and still works fine now.
7. Could be a nice easy job if all bolts loosen easily - my '02 car decided not to help in this way.
Seriously, this is a doable job for most diyers but anticipate siezed nuts and replace with new ones. Cheers
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