front wheel bearing replacement - got ideas?

[cn90]

I don't understand why the assembly line used Loctite to install bearing. It is juts not necessary. Honda, Toyota do not use Loctite in the press-in bearing.

Now, if Loctite is used, then a bit of heat (propane torch on the inner race for 15-30 sec) should melt the Loctite.

When I did my E39 REAR bearing (similar setup as E53 Front bearing), the combo of separator and puller works great zero issues.
During install, I applied antiseize, so it is easier the next time. Although I don't anticipate the next time lol...b/c another 150K from now, the car is probably in the junk yard.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by cn90

I don't understand why the assembly line used Loctite to install bearing. It is juts not necessary. Honda, Toyota do not use Loctite in the press-in bearing.

Now, if Loctite is used, then a bit of heat (propane torch on the inner race for 15-30 sec) should melt the Loctite.

When I did my E39 REAR bearing (similar setup as E53 Front bearing), the combo of separator and puller works great zero issues.
During install, I applied antiseize, so it is easier the next time. Although I don't anticipate the next time lol...b/c another 150K from now, the car is probably in the junk yard.

Loctite is mentioned in the Bentley Bible for BMW X5 E53 repairs. You really don't need to loctite them in since there's a circlip that holds the bearing in not to mention the 36mm nut that is torque to just a shade over 300 ft lb. If that axle is going to come out of that hub, you probably hit the Monster Truck Ramp to hard and came down to hard. LMAO

[cn90]

I thought the bearing was installed directly onto the hub at factory w/o Loctite?

Loctite is sometimes used in the splines of the axle where it enters the hub (Volvo does this), it creates a stiff bond that a bit of propane heat (not too much as to damage the bearing itself) is needed before one can push the axle out of the hub. But that is a different use of Loctite in a different location.

Personally, I don't think Loctite should be used in the bearing installation of the splines at all (I use antiseize in the splines).

[David.X5]

TIS says loctite 638. What's unusual is this type of loctite is not for press fits. It's for slip fits with gaps up to 0.010". Makes me wonder why it is specified here.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by David.X5

TIS says loctite 638. What's unusual is this type of loctite is not for press fits. It's for slip fits with gaps up to 0.010". Makes me wonder why it is specified here.

Perhaps to prevent rust from forming there so that the bearing won't be rusted in stuck the next time. Just put some never seize on it or fluid flim.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Perhaps to prevent rust from forming there so that the bearing won't be rusted in stuck the next time. Just put some never seize on it or fluid flim.

You know what I may have actually put a bit of Anti Seize on there and not blue loctite

[Ricky Bobby]

I smeared a bit of blue loctite (what i had available) on the inner wall of the bearing housing before pressing the new bearing in. No harm.

[bcredliner]

In the list of how to screw things up---

Ignore instructions, especially when you don't know why you should do it that way.

[upallnight]

I always coat parts with never seize to prevent them from rusting together. South Main Auto repairs on Youtube has turned me onto fluid film to prevent rust from seizing parts together.

[David.X5]

Ran some numbers through an interference fit calculator. I measured bearing OD to be 90.0 mm. Knuckle ID 89.9 mm (0.1 mm interference - very close to a typical 0.1% interference). (for reference, assumed knuckle OD 110 mm and bearing ID to be 83 mm).
Ignoring loctite and circlip, just the press fit

Dry, steel on steel, friction of 0.12, 4600 lbs-force to insert or remove bearing. Could transmit 670 ft-lbs of torque (but doesn't matter as this is a ball bearing - made not to transfer torque).
Lubricated, friction of 0.05, 1900 lbs force to insert or remove, can transmit 280 ft-lb torque.