Front Axle Ball Bearings

[Conster]

Hi Guys,

Are the front axle (half shaft) ball bearings the same size as the rear axle bearings?

There are 6 bearings for the inner part of the driver's side front axle and I lost one; can I just replace it with a bearing coming from any E30 rear differential?

How I lost it is a very long story.

Thanks !

A picture of a bearing beside a cent

[nando]

I doubt it but you can always measure.

[Conster]

Hi Mr.Nando,

I was able to buy a set(6 pcs) of bearings and had them installed to the axle and repacked with grease. Was able to bring the car home and will observe if the iX performs well with the aftermarket bearings at higher speeds.

The shop told me its a Japanese brand called NSK and the measurement is 23/32 . Got them US$1 a piece.

[iXerces]

OEM front axle bearings

Breathing life into an old thread...

I am replacing the CV boots on my front passenger side this week. In addition to the seal at the diff, I understand (per richardodn) that this would be a good time to also replace the front axle ball bearings, part #07119981036 (#3 in this diagram).

Unfortunately, this part is NLA (one site told me production stopped in October of last year). I have tried to chase it down at a variety of suppliers but nobody had any and they can't source them from BMW anymore.

If anybody knows where I could score the OEM part that would be sweet. I don't think I need and and am going to move ahead without it, but seeing that it is NLA my hoarder's instinct tells me I need to get my hands on one or more if I can.

I am assuming that in this thread Conster was talking about rebuilding this piece? If so, might his method be an option if sourcing the OEM part fails?

[spdracrm3]

that #3 bearing is not rebuildable , Conster was replacing the balls in the outer C/V joint of the drive axle which can be serviced .

interesting that the roller bearing is another NLA part, did you try finding a number in the bearing itself to try and locate one?

[iXerces]

OK. Gotcha, still figuring this car out and I haven't had that piece out yet. I couldn't tell what bearings Conster was talking about. Thanks for clearing that up, it makes sense.

I don't have it out yet so I can't yet look for a number. I have no reason to think I need another one, but since it is usually listed as a ~$15 part online I thought I'd just grab a few and put them in while the axle is getting serviced. ECS listed it, but when it was causing my order to get held up I got curious. So far I've talked to the folks at ECS, Turner, and Pelican, plus a few other more obscure ones, and they all order it from BMW NA which apparently doesn't have them anymore. None of these places seem to have any on the shelf, which is what I was hoping for with each inquiry.

Anyway, something for us to think about. Thanks for the reply.

[Nisse Järnet]

Cant you just get it at a bearing shop?

[AndrewBird]

RealOEM says it's 30X55X13, so it should be easy to source.

After a quick Google search, it is a 6006 bearing.

http://www.skf.com/group/products/bearings-units-housings/ball-bearings/deep-groove-ball-bearings/single-row/index.html?prodid=1050270006

http://www.thebigbearingstore.com/servlet/the-453/6006-Radial-Ball-Bearing/Detail

[iXerces]

Thanks for the advice. I'm still rather new to this and that thought hadn't even crossed my mind. Just ordered a couple up.

Cheers