after going to hell with the axle nut, i want to know if theres a way for me to remove the drive flange without taking off the half shaft. BTW i cant just any of the bolt holes...... 3 lugs in them and the 4th is crossed threaded.... :SOS:
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E30 is life :finger: -
When you say drive flange do you mean the wheel hub? There's no way to remove the wheel hub without removing the axle nut because it is bolted into the rear trailing arm with the axle and axle nut.
It was a bitch to get my axle nut off as well. I soaked it in a lot penetrating oil and then used an impact to get it off. I almost completely stripped the nut trying to get it off but eventually it came off. -
I mean, the hub is pressed into the bearing, so you're going to have to pull the axle out anyway. My axles were luckily put back in with anti-seize so they came right back out. I would try harder with the 3-jaw puller, maybe soak it with penetrating oil and tap it with a hammer to break loose any corrosion.
When you put the new hub in, make sure you support the back of the bearing race so you don't ruin your wheel bearing. Actually, while you're in there, just do yourself a favor and replace the wheel bearing.Comment
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I just did this job a couple of days ago.
To answer your question: There is no realistic way for the home mechanic to remove the hub without first removing the axle. Not to mention, reinstalling it would be next to impossible. Forget that avenue.
I'm having trouble following where you are in the process because I think you're mixing up some of your terms. I'll just explain the steps.
Remove axle nut locking collar
Remove axle nut
Remove 6 bolts with clips that connect axle to differential output flange
Remove axle from hub - ( pull the axle down and away from the diff so it has room to move, and tap the splined end of the axle out of the hub with an extension and a hammer for example)
Remove hub from bearing - (from the back side, persuade the hub to move outward. I used a 2 jaw puller to press against a roughly 32mm socket and a few taps from a hammer on one side. For the other side I just had someone hold an extension that I had slipped through the socket and fed through the hub. That way the socket stayed in place so I was free to use two hands to BEAT THE EVER LOVING CHRIST out of it, and it popped out. I'm talking sharp blows from a mini sledge) The best solution would be a slide hammer, but I didn't want to buy one.
Remove bearing from trailing arm assembly - Get a bearing puller kit, I got a "Front wheel bearing adapters" kit from harbor freight for about $89 or so. Assemble the tool in this order, starting from the back - Threaded rod, washer, bearing adapter (sized to just barely fit through the hole on the backside of the trailing arm), bearing to be removed, large collar to clear the bearing, collar cap, washer, nut. Get a big ass breaker bar and start tightening. She will come out with no drama.
Installation is the reverse, but clean up and grease all mating surfaces to make your life easier.
**THIS IS IMPORTANT**
WHEN INSTALLING THE BEARING:
The assembly you will make from the bearing kit will be different for the installation, be sure to use the largest bearing adapter that will fit in the trailing arm race, and use the flat face of the bearing adapter on the bearing itself.
WHEN INSTALLING THE HUB:
Pull the hub onto the bearing using the kit again, and be sure to pull the hub onto the BEARING, not against the back of the trailing arm. The inner races of the bearing are split in to two pieces and those will separate unless you are pulling against them with the tool.
I hope that all made sense.
Here is the kit I used - Harbor Freight front wheel bearing adaptersComment
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Oh, and do yourself a favor.
Download the Bentley service manual for the E30, it has a couple of nice diagrams and a pretty good description of the task. They do not discuss tools to use, just the steps.Comment
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Don't forget that the dust shield goes on before the flange gets pressed into the bearing.
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Once the axle nut is removed, a brass or other soft metal punch and a hammer can be used to tap the axle out. It should come out pretty easily, not much force is needed. You do need to disconnect the other end from the diff first though. Clean the bolt heads out with a pick before you do though. Dirt packs in and can cause you to strip the bolts out because the allen driver doesn't fit in all the way.
Once the axle is out, buy/rent a slide hammer and use that to remove the hub. Be warned though, you will more than likely destroy the wheel bearing in the process. The inner race usually comes out of the bearing as it is pressed onto the hub.Comment
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I was going to bring that up as well -- I'm pretty sure removing the flange guarantees destroying the bearing, even if the bearing is new. Plan on replacing the bearings. That's also why you should make sure not to forget the dust shield, or you'll end up needing to replace even the new bearing again. (ask me how I know)
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