BMW Wheel Hub Bearing Replacement : DIY [ How To - Part 1 of 2 ] /// 330i (E46)

[Lvd050]

Hey, first of all great vid. But my question is: Is this the same as on the E36 3series? I want to replace the one of my friend but he has an e36.

[bimmersgarage]

@Lvd050

The procedure is the same but the part numbers would be different, of course. Just make sure you/your-friend get New axle nuts instead of re-using the old ones. Also, replace BOTH sides (Driver and Passenger Hub/Bearings) at the same time. You don't want to end up with staggered amounts of wear on these bearings... Just a heads up. Good luck. And, thanks for watching my vid.

[swizz85]

I know this may sound like a silly question but, I have to ask: why must the axle nut be replaced? Does it have anything to do with the knotch that is made into the axle?

Also, did you replace both front hub bearings at the same time, or just the bad one?

Thanks in advance

[bimmersgarage]

@swizz85

NOT a silly question at all, it's for safety reasons (& peace of mind)Plus, considering a new one only cost around $8 (us dollars), you might as well replace it.

Yes, the notch has something to do with it, because if you re-use the old nut, the chances are very high that you'll end up at the same spot once you tighten it back down & will Not have the "material" left to re-notch that spot on the nut, since you had to break that "notch area" to loosen it in the first place.

[bimmersgarage]

Yes also to your second question, you should replace BOTH hub/bearings at the SAME time, because you don't want to have two different states of wear on those load bearings.

[exp1993]

would this Wheel Hub Bearing assembly be similar to a 97' 528i?

[bimmersgarage]

@exp1993

That's a good question.. I don't have any reference info on bimmers at those model year. Have you checked some of the BMW forums > Give one of the 5-series members on Bimmerforums a try. They will be able to confirm.

[vickersw229]

Superb! Excellent video! Replaced by hub a couple of days ago, no issues at all having watched this video. Even the inner race came off with the hub. Many Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Cheers! Paul.

[bimmersgarage]

@vickersw229

You're welcome Paul.

Just make sure you torqued down the axle nut properly and remember to notch it.. to prevent it from loosening.

Play it forward and share the vids with anyone who needs to refresh their hub bearings.

Keep it solid.

[fenceposter]

Do you have any video of an E39 front wheel bearing replacement? I believe it is quite a bit different. Excellent video, by the way.

[bimmersgarage]

@fenceposter

At the moment I do not have any vids for the E39s..

You can refer to either Bentley manual or online forums, do a quick search for your model to help you.

[machinegunmana]

thank you, will be doing this on my e46 this weekend

[bimmersgarage]

@machinegunmana

Certainly.. You're most welcome.

Just make sure you DO NOT reuse the old axle nut and

torque the new one down to proper specs.

Good luck.

[mnorrby729]

love your video keep them comming wat u call your we dog

[bimmersgarage]

@mnorrby729

Roger that my friend.

Thanks for the comments.

My pup is called Mr.Ratchet.

[bmwgary]

Appreciate your videos a lot. This is not the first I have seen of your as I remember your voice. You are helping more people than you know.

Excellent commentary! Great teacher!!

[bimmersgarage]

@bmwgary

You are most welcome..

I find that all of us (Bimmer Enthusiasts) are a passionate group of folks when it comes to our vehicles and I am very glad to share the information and experiences of working on our cars, first hand.

The videos are just my way of contributing to the knowledge base of the B.E.s who came before me and for those who will come in the future… To pay it forward.

Thank you for your comments.

Your support & encouragements are greatly appreciated.

[StarsMarsRadio]

Caliber? Shock spring? You're joking right?

[bimmersgarage]

@StarsMarsRadio

Hello.

Matt, were you asking a question about your Bimmer...

Is it rubbing against your caliber/springs?

Which BMW model do you drive??

[StarsMarsRadio]

@bimmersgarage actually, i got into this job on my e30. The hub nut. 36mm. We broke a breaker bar. torched it and used an impact wrench. still not coming off.

[bimmersgarage]

@StarsMarsRadio

Now THAT is a tough nut!

Do you have a photo of this said nut? I want to see the condition of it.

Must be some serious rust that's got it siege like that. Hope you took a video of that breaker bar busting, that would have been a instant classic.

But, all kidding aside... I think the best option now is to soak the nut with a shot PB Blaster and let it sit for a couple of hours then try to loosen it. If it doesn't give, hit with with some heat from the torch again. Be safe!

[shaggie90i]

I am needing to do this to my 93 325 and live in a very secluded area. No shop around here touches my kind of car. I was told it was going to have to be done in a shop and that I could not do this in my backyard. Feeling very stressed about making this happen without any special tools. Thank you for your video. It helps a lot! Is there anything I should be careful about on this project?

[bimmersgarage]

@shaggie90i

Good to hear my vids are giving you the confidence to do this project yourself, even though no indie shops are willing to help you out... That's really a shame.

Other than ordering/buying the correct hub-bearing for your vehicle and having basic tools... the only additional "special" tools you really need to have on hand are: a torque wrench that can go up to 200+ ft.lbs. and a locking three jaw puller < only if the inner race gets stuck on the kingpin/axle.

Good luck my friend.

[TeravaSanok]

Thank you for taking the time to make such an informative video... You are a talented DIY'er ! 

[bimmersgarage]

@TeravaSanok

Certainly.. I'm just glad my video(s) are helpful to others.

[Clio20]

you luky with that 330i i have the xi and is more complicated and heavy than is shitty high car

[bimmersgarage]

@Clio20

You speak truth, brother..

But, hopefully you have your front hub bearings refreshed and rolling smoothly now.

It was worth the hassle, I'm sure.

And, remember to Drive with Power!

[Toade21]

I am about to do this, thank you very much for this well made video. Two thumbs up.

[bimmersgarage]

@Toade21

Glad you found my videos helpful !

Just take your time, don't rush it.

And, Please remember to subscribe and Rate the vids.

Have a great 4th of July!

[bimmersgarage]

@skilledindian

Hello.

Unfortunately, once you damaged (Break) the inner race on a NEW Hub Bearing, it becomes useless. Even if you were able to push the race back on, it's the track-clips within the Hub that holds ball bearings that has been crushed that's making those horrid noises/sounds...

The only thing to do now is to get a new Hub Bearing and replace it again. But, this time you MUST use correct size bearing-installer to properly set the Hub on the kingpin >

See Part 2 Vid @ 3:20 for how.

[skilledindian]

Hi! I replaced my hub bearing today but while installing it inner race came out but i put it back in.....is it ok? becuase i still here grinding noise when i spin my wheel.& below..and while driving at speed of 20mph and below... .pls. advise. Thanks in advance

[carbidutz]

comming here doesnt necesarily mean I need help.truth is the quality of this video is crap.debate on that.

[bimmersgarage]

@carbidutz

And, this vid is not about video quality production.

So, unless you have something more to contribute to the actual bearing DIY.. the debate is over.

[carbidutz]

crap quality really

[bimmersgarage]

@carbidutz

Thanks and remember to torque your nuts down.

Good luck on your bimmer.

[carbidutz]

@bimmersgarage Why you upset with the truth?

[bimmersgarage]

@carbidutz

For some one who needed help (in your case) with your bimmer, to come in and start crying crap? I think the truth was already answered on your end.

The vids are a guide. If you needed clearer instructions, I advise you go to your local mechanic, who'll be happy to resolve your problem.

[bimmersgarage]

@Bananaboy2601

Hey thanks for watching.

I'm glad the vid helped you out.

Remember to subscribe.

[alphadog2810]

thanks for the video showed me how to do it and i done it my self thanks

[bimmersgarage]

That's great! Always glad to help out. A little something I can give back to the BMW community.

Feel free to share the videos to all your friends and other BMW enthusiasts that you may come across. Please Subscribe.

[examinfo]

I like how the hub just came off with "hand" power.If i could only be so lucky!

[bimmersgarage]

It wasn't good luck... it popped off like that by hand because the bearing retaining clips inside the hub was already completely worn out. I wouldn't have been able to pull them off like that without tool(s) if New.

[bimmersgarage]

Basically, with the wheel and brake caliper off, all you need to do is spin your rotor and if you hear any kind of metal-ish noise/sounds it's a pretty good bet that your bearings are shot.

It all started around 96,800 mileage, if I recall correctly. But, the Hub/Bearings were replaced at 97,205.

Thanks for commenting

[bimmersgarage]

The Main issue was an annoying sound that emanated from the front of the car, like tire noise.

At first that's what I thought it was, and had an alignment done, however the noise continued. And, it would get louder as speeds increased from about 20mph (from what is heard from inside the vehicle) So, that's when I did the bearing test - search for > BMW Wheel Hub Bearing Noise /// 330i (E46)

[ezavalet]

what kind of issues where you having before replacing the bearings? at how many miles did you replace? nice DIY

[bimmersgarage]

Thank you, I posted the specifics below the video. If you end up with anything like what I described. Do yourself a favor and get them replaced soon. Don't wait for the bearings to siege up on you.

[bimmersgarage]

Glad the video(s) are helpful in some way. Just take your time.. it should be a fairly smooth process.

[kolian78]

thanks a lot for video man , I have a 2002 325i and should be the same ,now I know how to do it my self

[TimeSplitter64]

This video is very helpful information, btw i use to have a 1988 528i BMW it had lug nuts instead of studs LOL!