Front Bearing Replacement

[jmonaco]

I just bought my first E30 a few days ago! It's a beautiful 1991 325i, (automatic). I took it to Les Schwab to have them check out a sort of grinding, wobbling noise. They told me that the front driver's side wheel bearing needed to be replaced and quoted me about $400 for parts and labor.

They told me that the labor part would only cost about $60. I've been looking up prices for the necessary parts, and they don't seem to be more than $80. This doesn't really make sense to me. Does this seem like an accurate quote? Could I just do it myself and save $300 in the process. Is it one of those repairs in which, as long as you do it right, there isn't too much chance of seriously screwing something up?

Thank you guys for your insight into this issue! Any comment on it is welcome!

[DRTSRFR]

Walk away....

That's rediculous.

With the correct tools you can do it yourself in an hour or less.

The job is very easy. You don't even need to preload the bearings, just swap the hub assembly and your done.

[Sagaris]

The front wheel bearing, so long as you buy a hub + bearing assembly pre-pressed is very easy. By very easy I mean you should be able to do it so quickly and easily that you are left wondering if there is anything you forgot to do in the process.

[LJ851]

OE front hubs (quality bearings) are a lot more than $80. I just did mine and i think they were 140-150 per side. Remember to get new nuts and dust caps. You potentially will need a puller to remove the hubs.

[Blackangusinc]

^^ This

[sweet6e30]

Blunt has em for 131.05

pull the wheel, caliper and rotor off the spindle, remove wheel hub NUT, Slide off hub and replace, re-install. DONE

http://www.blunttech.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1991-BMW-325i--Sedan&yearid=1991@@1991&makeid=31@@BMW&modelid=979%3ABT%7C5%3AED%7C66%3AMBC%7C168@@325i+Sedan&catid=241387@@Driveshaft+%26+Axle&subcatid=241440@@Wheel+Hub+Assembly&mode=PA

[jmonaco]

Thanks for the replies! This is good to know. I think I may just buy the part and attempt to do it myself. If you guys know of any good guides which would explain the process, it would be much appreciated!

[Massimo]

Mech's are expensive because they usually by from BMW dealers or over priced parts specialist LOL.

Buy your self a bently manuel they are on ebay. Email Bluntech for parts. There are alot of good DIYs on pelicanparts.com with pritty pictures, but it really is simple.

1. Remove Wheel
2. Remove Brake Caliper
3. Remove Brake Disc
4. Remove Hub Nut
5. Replace hub
6. Redo Step 1-4 in reverse.

Done! Eat sandwich.

[djjerme]

I just did mine last night in about 30 mins, you are more than welcome to come by and I can help you swap it..

PM me, and we can talk more.

[seatown88]

The parts are definitely more than $80, more like $150 for cheap and $250-300 for premium. With all the right tools available the process should take around an hour like others have said, the key is having all the right tools. I would take djjerme up on his offer and do them yourself

[Wh33lhop]

Yeah figure $100 a pop for good quality bearings. You will also need a big-ass socket--IIRC 36mm. And a big breaker bar. How easy the bearings are to remove tends to depend on your luck. Sometimes they slide right off, sometimes they are stuck on pretty good. I was able to get the new ones on with just a rubber mallet--not a perfect method but worked fine. Just make sure you hit on the inner race and not the outer, because you don't want to separate the bearing.

If reading that didn't make you uncomfortable you are fine. If it did, just get a friend who knows what he's doing. It's an easy job.

[SpecM]

yes its an easy job (1-1.5hrs), and the part should run 100-150 for a good one

But don't bash the shop for a $400 quote. Garages have LOTS of overhead costs that you don't, and they still need to make a profit on top of that. $400 is about the on the high side of resonable for a retail establishment.

[Ceeker]

as mentioned; sometimes they slide right off and sometimes they don't. I had one fall right out after I took the nut off.Big breaker bar or air tool will be required to remove the nut. if you have air and the bearing doesn't come off - asides from a puller- take the air hammer to the back of the bearing. Doesn't matter what you do to it to get it off as long as you don't damage the tapered shaft. I've had them come off with the rear race still on..took a hammer, some patience and worked it off. New one should slide right on.

For makes: some are made in Europe -various countries. I had a set man'd in France.
Prices vary but the avg is around 120-150

[barry]

I have a hub with bearing OEM for 45.00 shipped.
Thanks
Barry

[AnimalE30]

This was one of the easiest jobs I've done on the e30.

If the hub is stuck on the spindle after youve removed the nut(make sure you have the right socket for it) re mount your wheel with all four lugs loosely and use the tire as a puller.

When you go to mount the new hub make sure you push on the hub and inner bearing ring evenly. If you push on the hub itself the inner bearing ring may pop out, and it can be tricky to get it back in on a new wheel bearing.