Stuck on wheel bearing replacement... help anyone?

[a32guy]

Hey everyone, I'm new here but figured you could give me some tips. I'm currently stuck halfway through (not yet :( ) my wheel bearing replacement. I cannot get the "drive flange" out of the control arm/knuckle setup in the rear driver side. I soaked it PB blaster, tried numerous times hammering it out with a socket, but all to no avail. Any tips for a new guy?

Is there a puller I can rent at a local autoparts store to assist in this step? I know I'll need one later on, but this part is killing me.

For reference, I cannot get from this picture:


To this picture:


Thanks in advance all!!
-Chris

[grlaneriejr]

when i did mine, i needed a slide hammer. you should be able to get one at autozone as a loaner.

hope this helps

[a32guy]

I was thinking of that... thanks very much!!

[grlaneriejr]

no problem. glad i could help

[a32guy]

Just a little update (if anyone cares)

Well, after using the slide hammer, and heat, it finally came out-- then got the outer bearing race out, and the inner race off of the drive flange. Installed the new one, fit beautifully, pressed it in, put the brakes back on, then went to install the axle.

Little did i know when I was attempting to remove the drive flange i was messing up the splines for the axle. Now the axle won't go in due to the drive flange's splines being messed up baddd. I'm gonna try to file them back into somewhat of shape.

Everything that could have gone wrong on this project, did. BMW's are a PITA to work on compared to VWs :oops:

[kylebes1]

i use A/C refer. put the valve thingy on and spray the cooooooold (poisonous?) air on it.

[Jand3rson]

I'm suprised that you are actually attempting the rear wheel bearings on your own. Most guys I know at shops don't even want to touch them.

[alex]

I'm suprised that you are actually attempting the rear wheel bearings on your own. Most guys I know at shops don't even want to touch them.

It's not that hard. The last set i did took me 30 minutes. The nice thing was the the TAs were out of the car... 8)

30 mm socket for the flange, 1 1/2 socket for the race. No big deal.

It is EXTREMELY helful to pull the diff if you have to do it on the car, especially if you are doing both sides. Fak special tools!

If anybody wants I'll do theirs for $150 per side including bearings

[wastedincome]

Too bad I didnt read this thread alot sooner :roll: as I coulda been a big help to ya..
I had to do the rear wheel bearing on my first e30 a lil while back. I remember wasting bucnh of time trying w/ big jaw puller, slide hammer etc. (but knew better then beat on the splines ;)
Before screwinh anything up too bad I ran down to Bavarian Autosports and shelled out the $250 for the "Kit" they sell from Sir tools. (very well made tool and worth every penny)
With The kit, the hub removal/ installation and, bearing R/R are a piece of cake and easily done in mins.

[a32guy]

Well i didn't realize I crushed a couple splines, obviously if i knew, I wouldn't have done it. Theres only like 3 splines that are crushed at the end. I'm going to try to get them back into shape, but i'm at school right now and will be here for the next two weeks. I'll update this thread then, if anyone cares lol.

Its not like cars are anything new to me either. I did a vr6 conversion in my old gti, retrofitted a newer style dash, and a few other odds and ends.

[a32guy]

So basicly i'm an idiot. The axle was not going back in no matter whether heat was applied, PB blaster, whatever i don't think jesus himself could have gotten it in.

Long story short---

Took a whole trailing arm setup with axle installed from a parts car my friend has. Swapped the brake setup over, and bolted it up. I should have done that from the beggining and saved the $45 for the bearing. Project done.

Moral of the story is, if you don't have the right tools, don't be a n00b and break shit like i did. Take your time and get the right tools.