Hey Guys, I just finished up doing the left front wheel bearing on my 02 4.6is....I will post a DIY soon, I took pictures along the way for help. It took me around 4.5 hours to do the LH side, and I will do the RH tomorrow, maybe I can shave some time off!
Here is the low down so far, the parts are available from BMW, you have to buy a bearing and a new hub, I paid 250 per wheel including tax from my local dealer, I had to beg for a discount, but in the end they came through.....and of course they have never heard of the wheel bearings going out.....(right) As far as tools to pull the bearing out of the front suspension carrier, I went to Harbor Freight
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices and bought their standard front end bearing kit, it worked like a charm on the bearing, both removing and installing. To remove the hub from the old bearing I purchased a rear axle slide hammer kit
http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/sjdiscounttools_2055_725924714 with the flange that will fit the wheel centric on the hub, this tool did dual duty as it was able to push the axle stub shaft out of the hub, and then I used the slide hammer to remove the hub from the old bearing. All in all I would say it is an 8 out of 10 on skill level, if you can do your CV boots, I think you could tackle this project. Just remember to not put force on the bearing when pressing it into the carrier, put the pressure on the race (outer surface). Then use the bearing puller to install the hub and this time put the pressure on the center of the bearing.
I know this sounds confusing, but I will do the write up with pics in the next couple of days...I will also have pics of the tool kits I purchased and a list of needed hand tools. The two kits I purchased were 89 bucks each, so for under 200 in extra tools, you can do it yourself. My dealer wanted 1200 to do both sides.
05-20-2009, 11:26 PM
Threaded Mode
