Where can I get front wheel bearings?

[parkerbink]

Most parts not from the dealer are reman. But as you say they are rebuilt by people that do it for a living, using specs that meet or exceed oem, using parts designed to be put in after the housing has been inspected and repaired to a spec that has been set (if necessary) etc.

I am not saying not to use remanufactured parts I am saying don't think you can reman a critical safety load bearing part in your basement.

To illustrate, my waterpump failed in Mexico a new one was not available, the mechanic I was stuck with 200 + miles from the U.S. border had the pump "rebuilt" it failed.

I was stuck 100 miles from the border needing a new waterpump and radiator. Had the pump been left alone I would have waited for a new one and the radiator would not have been destroyed.

[2002maniac]

OK, what i did was remove the bearing, clean, repack with clean grease, and reassemble.

Sometimes this will fix the problem, in other cases (such as mine) the bearings are too worn to be re-used.

If I could get replacement bearings for $20 it would totally be worth my time to rebuild the hubs with fresh bearings. It took me 10 minutes to get the bearings out after the hub was off. 10 minutes.

I am not going to spend $75+ for a hub when i can replace the bearings for ~$20 + 10 minutes of my time.

I'm going to try to track down the correct bearings using the FAG part number.

Ask a shop what they do and they will say they will do what's easiest. They arent paying for the parts!

Josh generally knows his shit, but saying that the hubs are sealed units and unserviceable is hearsay.

Is BMA a FAG supplier? I'll have to call them up.

[2002maniac]

Please, tell me again that I'm wrong.

I'd like to prove you wrong :)

[Rocla]

I'm going to try to track down the correct bearings using the FAG part number.

Tried that more than twice with SKF number... no dice.

Good luck, if you find source, I most certainly stop using new hubs.

[Jand3rson]

Again, I'm not going to tell you what to do. You can do whatever you want.

What I won't have is spreading of misinformation and telling people to repair their cars using methods that aren't appropriate and possibly unsafe.

[parkerbink]

Josh, he is not listening. We have both presented the other side of the coin. Hopefully anyone contemplating a diy project will hear us.

Again I reiterate, My waterpump was "rebuilt" by someone not familair with it and it cost me a radiator. I was actually lucky it could have killed my head or whole motor.

[2002maniac]

aren't appropriate and possibly unsafe.

Hearsay.

And parker, we arent talking about waterpumps here.

[parkerbink]

Uh wheels are more important there chief, they fall off you go boom.

But in your case it's ok cause you will land in the river, but what about those poor little fishies?

Nevermind, I'll take my advice I gave to Josh and say hopefully no one else follows your lead.

[Jand3rson]

It's alright, Stephen. You can only expend so much effort when trying to save some of these kids from themselves, and in the end, they're either going to listen to you or they aren't. I'll take comfort in the fact that my wheel bearings are done properly, and hope that not too many others decide to follow this guy's lead by doing things that are potentially unsafe.

[parkerbink]

It's alright, Stephen. You can only expend so much effort when trying to save some of these kids from themselves, and in the end, they're either going to listen to you or they aren't. I'll take comfort in the fact that my wheel bearings are done properly, and hope that not too many others decide to follow this guy's lead by doing things that are potentially unsafe.

Rightio!

[Rocla]

Ok.

So please do explain me why similar constrution in other cars allows you to change bearing but e30 don't.

The reason why you can't change just berings to e30 front hub is that they are not made with standart measures and proper bearings are not available anywhere.

If you could spot right bearings(which you can't) the bearing swap would be ok, as it is for other cars with straight stub axle and closed ball bearings.

Conclusion: you must use the complete new hub assembly because the separate bearings are not available.

Qualified machnic can easily change bearings "proper" way to hub, if you feel unsecure using basic automotive repair methods, i doesn't make them unproper. Similiar procedures to similiar construtions are made daily in automotive shops.

I've only been driving and working on E30's for 5 years, what do I know?

LOL, makes you god eh?

Rocla, Certified automechanic, +10 years of experince with BMW's, +20 E30's owned, +50 e30 engine swaps done, ex employee of local BMW dealer.

What would I know?

[2002maniac]

Ok.

So please do explain me why similar constrution in other cars allows you to change bearing but e30 don't.

The reason why you can't change just berings to e30 front hub is that they are not made with standart measures and proper bearings are not available anywhere.

If you could spot right bearings(which you can't) the bearing swap would be ok, as it is for other cars with straight stub axle and closed ball bearings.

Conclusion: you must use the complete new hub assembly because the separate bearings are not available.

Qualified machnic can easily change bearings "proper" way to hub, if you feel unsecure using basic automotive repair methods, i doesn't make them unproper. Similiar procedures to similiar construtions are made daily in automotive shops.

Thank you Rocla for clearing up this misinformation being spread by "reliable" members.

Looks like they are not available. :(

[2002maniac]

Uh wheels are more important there chief, they fall off you go boom.

Do you understand how the front hubs work? Even if they failed, there is no way the wheel could fall off.

[parkerbink]

Do you understand how the front hubs work? Even if they failed, there is no way the wheel could fall off.

If you are cutting corners to save 25.00 I would not be surprised if you don't put it back together correctly. I have replaced these WITH THE PROPER PART.

BMW did not design this part without full consideration, they made a decision as to the correct method of replacing this critical part, which btw lasted 14 years and 59k miles on my car and I am sure many many more miles on the average e30.

Do what you want but how dare you claim anyone else should follow your path to possible disaster.

Do you understand you are messing around with your safety and the safety of the people driving around you who have no clue you have your car put together with chewing gum and hope?

Ok.

So please do explain me why similar constrution in other cars allows you to change bearing but e30 don't.

The reason why you can't change just berings to e30 front hub is that they are not made with standart measures and proper bearings are not available anywhere.

If you could spot right bearings(which you can't) the bearing swap would be ok, as it is for other cars with straight stub axle and closed ball bearings.

Conclusion: you must use the complete new hub assembly because the separate bearings are not available.

Qualified machnic can easily change bearings "proper" way to hub, if you feel unsecure using basic automotive repair methods, i doesn't make them unproper. Similiar procedures to similiar construtions are made daily in automotive shops.

Genius he is not agreeing with you, he is explaining why a person without years of training and experience should not do this. It is like Myth Busters, they have a clue, do you?

[parkerbink]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=77052

This thread is a perfect example of why you should not cut corners.