What tool did you use for your rear wheel bearing removal?

[BlackBMWs]

Looking to replace the rear wheel bearings, What special tool or method did you use that did not destroy the carrier. I'll be doing the work on car rather than using a press.

Anyone see any good DIYs? I've searched here and BFC. I'll look on Fest too

Planning ahead... Thanks!

[spidertri]

I used a Harbor Freight kit - http://www.harborfreight.com/fwd-fro...ers-66829.html

Worked like a charm. If you buy it just make sure to put some grease on the threads and washers that contact each other in the kit. I've used it on more than 10 wheel bearings for various cars over the years.

Quick DIY from memory.
- Remove brake rotor/caliper
- Remove axle lock plates and break free axle nuts
- Loosen and remove axle bolts from diff flanges
- Remove axles, use punch and BFH to get them out of the hub

- Use slide hammer with hub adapter to remove hub from wheel bearing
- This will leave 1 of the races on the hub
- Rest of the bearing is held into the trailing arm with a pretty big snap ring
- Use bearing puller to remove rest of bearing once snap ring is out

- Use kit to press new bearing in (helps to put the bearing in freezer prior to installation)
- Install snap ring
- Properly support the inside of the bearing and use the press to push in the hub. Need to support so inner bearing race doesn't pop apart.
- Once hub is installed reinstall axle. Once threads are through use axle nut to pull it the rest of the way.
- Reinstall diff flange bolts, rotor, caliper. Torque stuff.

Oh, in order to reuse the hub you have to get the race off. I very carefully use a dremel cut off wheel to cut a groove in the race. Do not cut all the way through the race but get very close to doing so. Once close to cutting through use a big screwdriver and twist or hit the screwdriver with a hammer at an angle. After a few hits it should crack the race and let you pull it off by hand.

[BlackBMWs]

Great, thanks Dave! I saw this yesterday at Harbor Freight, but doubted it as it was titled for Front Bearings. I was also thinking of just getting a loaner set at Autozone as I suspect id have infrequent use.

Thanks for taking the time to script out the DIY. Very much appreciated. I bet when I pull the half shaft, it will be impacted from the hub vibration.

I'll take some pics when I do this and add it to our DIY section with your text and my pics.

Thanks! Rich

[bazar01]

If you buy the bearings first, you can figure out pipe fitting sizes and threaded rod that are available at Home Depot to pull out and install the bearings. It helps to heat the trailing arm in the installation. I used a propane torch for this.

Here is a diagram of a 911 rear wheel bearing assembly which is very similar to the 318TI.

[bazar01]

I used these HD items to pull out and install new rear wheel bearings on my 911. I have not done my 318TI yet. You may need to find the correct conduit fitting size.

[BlackBMWs]

Nice. I saw a similar setup for pulling the subframe bushings. Thanks for the idea. I'll be purchasing a set of bearings this week.


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[bazar01]

Originally Posted by BlackBMWs

Nice. I saw a similar setup for pulling the subframe bushings. Thanks for the idea. I'll be purchasing a set this week.


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The subframe bushing is a different animal. I already bought the urethane split bushings but still figuring out how to install them without dropping the subframe and be able to lower the subframe past the 5 inch long stud.
I think the only way to replace the subframe bushings without dropping the subframe is to go back to the stock rubber bushings which I am planning to do. I am waiting on the stock bushings I ordered last week.

[BlackBMWs]

Yes, they are a bear. I did the subframe bushings for my E39 wagon, but borrowed a specific tool for it. It went easy with the tool, but I couldn't imagine doing it without the tool.

Now someone did figure out out to do it with Home Depot misc parts.

The E39 tours need the bushing replaced over time. The Sedans don't have the same issue. I'll look for the Thread on BFC E39 Tour section when I return home if that will help.


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