Wheel Hub replacement

lsteg · 01-07-2013, 07:49 AM

So now that I need a new bearing for my front right tire I decided to go ahead and just replace them both. I found that Bmaparts.com has the hub assembly with bearings already pressed. In looking around I haven't found much on swapping the hubs on my 330. I was just wondering if this was a task I can tackle on a weekend or if this is just something better left for a shop to do. I got my mechanic to give me a quote and it's around 400 a hub (300 parts + 100 for labor)

I'll probably be changing out my struts as well and so I figured this would be good to pair together. Hopefully somebody can point me in the right direction.

WDE46 · 01-07-2013, 07:59 AM

I thought people just replaced the bearing. I know the fronts are supposed to be easy while the rears are a bitch.

moiz21 · 01-07-2013, 08:00 AM

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=610725

RayPooley · 01-07-2013, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsteg

So now that I need a new bearing for my front right tire I decided to go ahead and just replace them both. I found that Bmaparts.com has the hub assembly with bearings already pressed. In looking around I haven't found much on swapping the hubs on my 330. I was just wondering if this was a task I can tackle on a weekend or if this is just something better left for a shop to do. I got my mechanic to give me a quote and it's around 400 a hub (300 parts + 100 for labor)

I'll probably be changing out my struts as well and so I figured this would be good to pair together. Hopefully somebody can point me in the right direction.

These bearings are a press fit into the hub assembly and that takes a great deal more force than you could generate at home or in your average garage. May even be a shrink fit. It would need a fly press at least. Far as I know this is the only way you can buy the bearings ie: complete with the hub assembly.

lsteg · 01-07-2013, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayPooley

These bearings are a press fit into the hub assembly and that takes a great deal more force than you could generate at home or in your average garage. May even be a shrink fit. It would need a fly press at least. Far as I know this is the only way you can buy the bearings ie: complete with the hub assembly.

I wouldn't be pressing them in myself as they already come pressed in to the Hub assembly. I would just be installing the new Hub.

choxor · 01-07-2013, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsteg

I wouldn't be pressing them in myself as they already come pressed in to the Hub assembly. I would just be installing the new Hub.

Link?

RayPooley · 01-07-2013, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsteg

I wouldn't be pressing them in myself as they already come pressed in to the Hub assembly. I would just be installing the new Hub.

Beg pardon. I thought you were asking if you could just buy the bearings. Must have attributed WDE's comment to you.

BimmersGarage · 01-07-2013, 08:47 AM

These front bearings are an integral part of the hub. No need to "press" them in.
So, you can not buy just the bearings or hub separately. Meaning once the hub is removed the bearings basically are damaged/destroyed.

The hub/bearings replacement is something you can DIY. Only major tool you'll need (have access to) are:
-Torque wrench that can go up to ~220 ft.lb.
-46mm socket

If you need further information, reference - "BMW wheel hub bearing" videos on my YT channel below.

WDE46 · 01-07-2013, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDE46

I thought people just replaced the bearing. I know the fronts are supposed to be easy while the rears are a bitch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayPooley

Beg pardon. I thought you were asking if you could just buy the bearings. Must have attributed WDE's comment to you.

I just read around a bit. People are calling it a bearing replacement, but they are really replacing the whole hub assembly. Anyway, the fronts are easy, as shown in the DIY already posted.

lsteg · 01-07-2013, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moiz21

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=610725

Thanks for the thread. Not sure how I couldn't find it.

lsteg · 01-07-2013, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choxor

Link?

bmaparts

lsteg · 01-07-2013, 09:13 AM

Just saw that the manufacturer of the bearing was SKF. Any ideal on quality of their parts?

BimmersGarage · 01-07-2013, 09:25 AM

Go with F.A.G.s or Timkens

lsteg · 01-07-2013, 09:34 AM

will there be any issues with the wheel speed sensor after replacing the Hub?

Zell · 01-07-2013, 10:23 AM

Shouldn't be affected. But there's no better time to clean your sensor than now. Sometimes they fail because they get too much grit and grime on them, which I can only assume creates electromagnetic interference if enough metal particles get picked up in the grime. Comes right out with a hex key, and you can wipe it off with a damp cloth.

lsteg · 01-07-2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zell

Shouldn't be affected. But there's no better time to clean your sensor than now. Sometimes they fail because they get too much grit and grime on them, which I can only assume creates electromagnetic interference if enough metal particles get picked up in the grime. Comes right out with a hex key, and you can wipe it off with a damp cloth.

Thanks Zell. Always nice to find easy things to change/check while you have all of that stuff off.

I think I'm going to buy the hub/bearing assembly from bavauto (part number WBK E36 SKF ) for $239.00. The bearing is SKF and they come witha new nut and dust cover. The only question I have is the part number says E36. Are the Hub Assemblies the same for the E36 and the E46?

Hrvat · 01-07-2013, 10:33 AM

Super easy to do

bimmernut3 · 01-07-2013, 10:38 AM

Here's a video showing how to do it. There's 2 videos total. Not the best visual video but you can see most stuff.

trizzuth · 01-07-2013, 10:39 AM

wealth of knowledge in my "Wa wa wa" thread. Search and read the entire thing. Also info on SKF bearings and F.A.G. bearings in that thread.

Mango · 01-07-2013, 10:40 AM

Make sure you get the associated parts. Dust shields and caps. two per side. fronts are a cakewalk..

rears... you don't even want to know.

01-07-2013, 07:49 AM	#1
lsteg Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Gettysburg, PA Posts: 978 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	Wheel Hub replacement So now that I need a new bearing for my front right tire I decided to go ahead and just replace them both. I found that Bmaparts.com has the hub assembly with bearings already pressed. In looking around I haven't found much on swapping the hubs on my 330. I was just wondering if this was a task I can tackle on a weekend or if this is just something better left for a shop to do. I got my mechanic to give me a quote and it's around 400 a hub (300 parts + 100 for labor) I'll probably be changing out my struts as well and so I figured this would be good to pair together. Hopefully somebody can point me in the right direction. __________________

01-07-2013, 08:00 AM	#3
moiz21 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 1,307 My Ride: 1999 323i 5-SPD View My Garage	http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=610725 __________________ *MODS* P46 Projectors + FX-R Retrofit + 6k D2S / 60 LED AE's / Smoked LED Tails / Smoked Turn and Side Markers / BSW 10" Sub /ZHP Knob / Matte Black Grills / DICE / Parrot + Connects2 / OEM Alternative Alarm Mod / Clutch Switch Delay Mod / M3 Rep Front Bumper / 3M Black CF Di-Noc Wrap / K&N Intake / 35% Tint All Around / Black Short Eurotray / 545i Shifter

01-07-2013, 08:47 AM	#8
BimmersGarage Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dallas, TX (USA) Posts: 2,000 My Ride: E46 330i View My Garage	These front bearings are an integral part of the hub. No need to "press" them in. So, you can not buy just the bearings or hub separately. Meaning once the hub is removed the bearings basically are damaged/destroyed. The hub/bearings replacement is something you can DIY. Only major tool you'll need (have access to) are: -Torque wrench that can go up to ~220 ft.lb. -46mm socket If you need further information, reference - "BMW wheel hub bearing" videos on my YT channel below. __________________ DFW Bimmer Meet \| BMW Instrument Cluster Test \| DIY BMW Rad. Fan/Clutch Removal \| DIY BMW Serpentine Belt Release DIY Idler Pulley Removal \| DIY Mechanical Tensioner Pulley Removal Last edited by BimmersGarage; 01-07-2013 at 08:54 AM.

01-07-2013, 09:13 AM	#12
lsteg Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Gettysburg, PA Posts: 978 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	Just saw that the manufacturer of the bearing was SKF. Any ideal on quality of their parts? __________________

01-07-2013, 09:25 AM	#13
BimmersGarage Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dallas, TX (USA) Posts: 2,000 My Ride: E46 330i View My Garage	Go with F.A.G.s or Timkens __________________ DFW Bimmer Meet \| BMW Instrument Cluster Test \| DIY BMW Rad. Fan/Clutch Removal \| DIY BMW Serpentine Belt Release DIY Idler Pulley Removal \| DIY Mechanical Tensioner Pulley Removal

01-07-2013, 07:59 AM	#2
WDE46 Weagle Weagle Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 3,650 My Ride: 2004 330Ci OBM View My Garage	I thought people just replaced the bearing. I know the fronts are supposed to be easy while the rears are a bitch.

01-07-2013, 09:34 AM	#14
lsteg Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Gettysburg, PA Posts: 978 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	will there be any issues with the wheel speed sensor after replacing the Hub? __________________

01-07-2013, 10:23 AM	#15
Zell Wears carbon fiber boxers Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: In a van down by the river Posts: 3,698 My Ride: 330Ci ZHP 6sp View My Garage	Shouldn't be affected. But there's no better time to clean your sensor than now. Sometimes they fail because they get too much grit and grime on them, which I can only assume creates electromagnetic interference if enough metal particles get picked up in the grime. Comes right out with a hex key, and you can wipe it off with a damp cloth. __________________ E46Fanatic's resident mathemagician Last edited by Zell; 01-07-2013 at 10:25 AM.

01-07-2013, 10:38 AM	#18
bimmernut3 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 191 My Ride: '05 330cic, '01 540i View My Garage	Here's a video showing how to do it. There's 2 videos total. Not the best visual video but you can see most stuff. __________________ '05 330ci [IMG][/IMG]

01-07-2013, 10:39 AM	#19
trizzuth Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Paul Pierceland Posts: 4,479 My Ride: gobbles oil like a B View My Garage	wealth of knowledge in my "Wa wa wa" thread. Search and read the entire thing. Also info on SKF bearings and F.A.G. bearings in that thread. __________________

01-07-2013, 10:40 AM	#20
Mango Platinum Plus Quality Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 16,478 My Ride: M54B30 View My Garage	Make sure you get the associated parts. Dust shields and caps. two per side. fronts are a cakewalk.. rears... you don't even want to know. __________________ Cooling \| Maintenance \| Vacuum \| Suspension \| Costs "Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected." -Steve Jobs

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