How to remove hub from hub carrier??

[TriX5]

I am in the process of putting in new tension strut bushings/balljoints and CV boots. As this involves a lot of R&R I also got new wheel bearings.
It was easy enough so far except for the splined shaft was tough to remove from the hub. The hub carrier is off the car but I am a little stumped as to how to remove the hub and get access to the bearing?

Any one done this before? I just can't see how I can put force on the hub. I tried with a hammer and an appriopriate sized cylinder but it wont budge. This is the first time that I am doing a wheel bearing, ever!

I can't work on this again until next weekend but I'd like to know how to get it apart.....

Any body?

[BMW_TUNER]

You have to press it out with a bearing press or a three jaw gear puller and a socket the same size as the hub.

[anthony1k]

It requires a fair amount of force to break it loose. It will not happen on a vise. My suggestion. Take the dust shield off. Find two pieces of 5-6 inch high lumber and balance the hub on it. Insert suitable driver (a deep socket will do) and hit it with the heaviest hammer that you have. It might take a few strikes but it will break loose. Good luck.

[TriX5]

Thanks, that sounds good, I have some serious hammers in the arsenal including sledge.... so, I can find a way to do that.

One question, how do I get the dust shield off? Drill out the rivets? It won't slip over the front of the hub but maybe I am overlooking something?

[1stE53]

dust shield is held on by three 8mm or 10mm short bolts.

[amacman]

If I was doing that job , I would , at this stage take the entire assembly to a dealer or specialist independent to have the bearing replaced using the correct tools .

[TriX5]

And what would those tools be? Because other than an arbor press or the method above nothing is going to do it....

My dad did one of his rear wheel bearings on his 5-series some years ago and it was fine. He did have a monster press in his garage...... :-) I was not home when he did it and don't know if the hub carrier was similar and how he supported it in the press. But believe me, a wheel bearing is not rocket science.

(BTW, before you ask, I was simply wondering if there was an easy trick I was overlooking when I posted)

[Turbo_Bimmer]

Like it has been said, you will need a press.

FWIW
The problem is that very often, the inner race of the bearing separates from the bearing and remains on the hub. If this happens, it is very difficult to remove it due to a lack of space to grab the race with a puller.
The two last bearings I did on a BMW gave me troubles. We tried to weld plates on the race to press it off the hub, but the plates bent.
We finally decided to put the hub on a lathe and machine down the race until no more was left.
If you are handy with a angle grinder, the race can be ground on one side until it can be removed with hand tools, but you have to be carfull not to damage the hub itself.

Those bearings are pressed very tight.

[davewlee]

I removed mine by using a LARGE bearing separator behind the hub and then using four screws (same size as the lug nuts) in the wheel lugs to force the hub from the bearing. The screws are to be screwed evenly against the bearing separator so the hub comes off evenly; ie a bit at a time so that the pressure is evenly displaced over the hub. The bearing separator is used so that we have something to press against.

[thedweeb]

Originally Posted by amacman

If I was doing that job , I would , at this stage take the entire assembly to a dealer or specialist independent to have the bearing replaced using the correct tools .

garage with a press is the only way really, unless you want to make real meal of it.
Dweeb