Rear Wheel Bearing DIY help

[kevinp]

Been following Hayaku's DIY article on CV joint replacement so I could replace the rear wheel bearings on my 2002 3.0i.

Managed to R&R the wheel bearing and drive flange (wheel hub), but I can't seem to get the half shaft seated enough inside the drive flange to get the 36mm nut on the threads. I prepped the splines on both parts, but it's not sliding together.

Any advice? Am I missing some simple trick?

After 3 days of waiting for parts on order and running to the store for new tools, this has been the hardest DIY project I've ever done. And I still have to do the other side...

Thanks !

Kevin

[andrewwynn]

In the case somebody else finds this thread on a search, I just did this repair today and it is not difficult to get the spline back through the hub:

1. clean both sides of the spline
2. Oil both sides of the spline
3. start the bolts into the flange while starting the spline mesh
4. with the flange bolts loose, reach in to the drive shaft and pull outward
5. while the flange is outward, knock on the hub with preferably a dead-blow hammer
6. each tap should move the spline about 1-2 mm through the hub
7. when far enough in, use impace wrench to tighten the 36mm axle nut.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

In the case somebody else finds this thread on a search, I just did this repair today and it is not difficult to get the spline back through the hub:

1. clean both sides of the spline
2. Oil both sides of the spline
3. start the bolts into the flange while starting the spline mesh
4. with the flange bolts loose, reach in to the drive shaft and pull outward
5. while the flange is outward, knock on the hub with preferably a dead-blow hammer
6. each tap should move the spline about 1-2 mm through the hub
7. when far enough in, use impace wrench to tighten the 36mm axle nut.

Just be careful that the bearing flange doesn't contact the suspension knuckle when hitting the hub or you will damage the new bearings.

[andrewwynn]

True. The key to this working is that the bearing and hub can move and not hit the knuckle. See my thread about DIY replacement of the rear bearing I've figured out how to replace it home mechanic style


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[cn90]

If you tap the hub, go slow and use a piece of wood.
Just be gentle.

I wrote the REAR bearing DIY for E39 (1998 528i) and made a special tool for cheap (using the old 36-mm nut), it works great, zero issues, see post #42:

DIY: 1998 528i REAR Bearing the Easy Way! - Page 2 - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums