Wheel bearing safety question

[JMil86]

I don't buy that. Any bearing in anything is a wear item and will eventually need replacing. I thought 135k was a bit fast to wear out, but I'm not all that surprised.

And wd-40 is not a good lubricant.

It was a joke actually, only thing that might help is some heavy duty bearing grease, but once they go bad they are gone. Wd40 is good for breaking bolts loose and thats about it.

[TwoJ's]

Ah I see. I just thought you were retarded.

[Aptyp]

it's less than a 2 hour job for a shop (air tools) and list price on the bearing is $80 (cost is usually under $30) So $200 should be a good estimate.

[Aptyp]

Bearing would be $100 at most from a shop, you can buy one on ebay $35 from FCP. Figure an hours labor at $80/hr. You looking at a minimum of $200 with tax from a shop to get it done. It's easy enough to do with a jack, 4lb hammer and 32mm socket in a driveway though.

it's a 30mm socket...

[TwoJ's]

$200 isn't bad at all. If I can borrow my friend's trailer I'll take my truck over and tow it, otherwise I'll pay to have it done.

[TwoJ's]

The cheapest I have found so far is $450 plus tax and "shop supplies". That guy said it was quoted at 1.8 hours, so they must be way more than $80/hour.

[BraveUlysses]

Are you in Bellevue or Eburg? can't exactly tell from your post.

Have you tried calling StrictlyBMW?

[Massive Lee]

The cheapest I have found so far is $450 plus tax and "shop supplies". That guy said it was quoted at 1.8 hours, so they must be way more than $80/hour.

At that price, you can buy a full puller kit and do it yourself with the help of a friend...

Lee

[TwoJ's]

Are you in Bellevue or Eburg? can't exactly tell from your post.

Have you tried calling StrictlyBMW?

yeah I called them, they are one of the more expensive places. I'm in Bellevue until this weekend when I go back to eburg for school.

At that price, you can buy a full puller kit and do it yourself with the help of a friend...

Lee

I see that's the harbor freight set. So that's what I need?

[Massive Lee]

I see that's the harbor freight set. So that's what I need?

Yes, plus a bit of copper grease to lubricate the threaded rod and brass shims, and ratchet or air gun. Plus a bit of experience.

[TwoJ's]

Yes, plus a bit of copper grease to lubricate the threaded rod and brass shims, and ratchet or air gun. Plus a bit of experience.

lol, the grease and air gun I can do. The experience I will have to work on. Just doing stuff on my own is the best way for me to learn.

[Aptyp]

You're not supposed to use air tools on bearing tools or any other kind of pullers... Ait tools are great for axle bolts and 30mm nut, and that's about it.


Either way, how did 1.8 hours translate into $450? What a rip off, for $450 you could buy a fellow r3ver a ticket to WA and back and have this done for you... If you decide, I volunteer :D

[Scotaku]

At that price, you can buy a full puller kit and do it yourself with the help of a friend...

Lee

You're a respected voice on the wrenches, Lee, but I don't think that kit will do a rear wheel bearing. The hub has to be pressed out first before the circlip inside the carrier can be freed to let the outer race be pressed out. I think a hub tamer or some other yoke-type of kit is needed to first pull the hub then pull the bearing.

If you've got a method for rear hubs and wheel bearings that uses the simpler kit, please share!

[bimmer_E30]

i have a bad wheel bearing my car sounds like a jet taking off all the time, i ahave no money or time to replace it. Fuckin school sucks.

i hope it wont fail on me soooooon. also i have a bad ball joint.

[Massive Lee]

If you've got a method for rear hubs and wheel bearings that uses the simpler kit, please share!

I've been using a puller such as the one pictured above, and while not effortless, it was straightforward. Sure there's a clip. Sure the bearings need to be inserted straight, but honestly it was not rocket science. No violence was applied, and not bearing was killed during the process. I did swear at the 20 year old bearing that took some sweat to remove, but reinstall was very easy. I cooled the bearing in a freezer for an hour. It went in like a dream. Method and experience my friend.