Anyone in the NE area with bearing tool?

[Bimmerfanatik]

Gotta do my rear wheel bearings asap - need to borrow someone's tool - be willing to toss you a few bucks to cover the money you spent on it originally. If you have it and are willing to ship it, that works too.

Thanks guys...

[325ise30]

Just build the tool it’s easy and the instructions to do so are on www.bmwe30.net click on the Articles & Tips section, then suspension and steering, the rear wheel bearing replacement article includes construction of the tool. I have used this method a few times and it works great plus it saves a few $$ and you have the tool to keep.

[DaN]

Do you have a pic of bearing tool you made?

[325ise30]

Sorry no pic at the moment my digital cam is lacking batteries. www.Bmwe30.net will go into more details but all it consists of is one threaded rod 1ft by 5/8-3/4in. heavy washers, nuts, a piece of 4in. pipe ( used in bearing extraction ) witch can be PVC and a old lawn mower blade or equivalent ( used in installation ). Removal of the hub is accomplished using long bolts same diameter as lug bolts and tightening them against a piece of steel plate placed between the backing plate and hub. The old bearing race may stick to the hub but this can be cut or pulled of. Between these two descriptions the creation of this tool should be fairly intuitive but feel free to ask any further questions.

[Jordan]

Use a slide hammer to pull the hub/bearing out. Alot easier and less setup time.

We have a ~20lb slide hammer that freaking owns the hub/bearing lol.

The genuine BMW special tool for pressing the wheel bearing in is very very nice. Used it several times, including on my own new trailing arms. It is not however really designed to remove the bearing or hub.

Whatever you end up doing just be very careful to press equally on the bearing. You need to press on the inner and outer races. Pressing only on the inner will destroy it almost instantly.

A good tip is leave the car/naked trailing arm in the direct sunlight. Put the wheel bearing in the freezer (in a bag!!) the night or morning before. If the trailing arm is hot enough, and the bearing cold enough... and you are QUICK... you can "drop" the bearing in. I attempted this but the bearing only pushed in my hand about 1/2 way before it had expanded too much and needed the tool.

Freezing the bearing definately makes the tools job easier though.

[DaN]

How do you attach the slide hammer to the hub, without hurting it? lol 20lb?? damn thats a big mofo.

Who has the best price on the tool for removing/installing, the hub and bearing?

[wastedincome]

FWIW: I have ATTEMPTED to do the bearing hub job using slide hammer, puller etc.
I bought the proper tool from Bavarian Autosports and was amazed @ how awesome it worked

BTW: I brought Scott the kit to use so he should be all set, Somebody just needs to READ THE INSTRUCTIONS to him :finger:

[JamesD]

I took my bearings and arms to a bmw dealer to get them pressed in, it cost $40.

[DaN]

I saw the special tool for sale on some website for $230, now I can't find it.
Any one seen it, or something cheaper?