Broken Wheel Bearing in Denver, CO - Help?

[cwatt]

Hey R3V,

Some may already be familiar with another thread I've created looking for some help in the event I had a mechanical failure. Well, the wheel bearing just broke here in Denver.

I'm new to the e30 and don't have a clue about this city. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Even a shop recommendation.

Oh - I'm fairly certain it's the wheel bearing because there's play in tilting the wheel in and out, and the rim is making contact on the strut.

[Cletonius]

Good luck dude, if you were in Chicago I'd offer to help.

[cwatt]

Good luck dude, if you were in Chicago I'd offer to help.

Thanks, I appreciate it. Ironically, my alternate route was up that way. I figured it would be too risky with freezing rain though.

[blefevre]

http://www.autosportwerks.com/ Talk to Cal.

http://www.autoworkscolorado.com/

This is also a good shop.


Sorry I can't help in person, I don't have the tools (breaker bar) to do a wheel bearing. Is the car still driveable?

[ADlBOO]

Best advice if you can do it yourself would be to limp to a autozone, advanced auto, buy the part then rent a bearing removal kit and change it in the parking lot. Look up a DIY that can guide you through it. You have any tools with you?

[blefevre]

Also, is it front or rear?

[cwatt]

It's the front (left). Car isn't driveable though. The wheel is grinding on the strut.

I have basic hand-tools. I brought a socket set with me, but don't have a breaker bar either.

The previous owner had actually posted on this forum about the wheel making contact with the strut. They are too wide for the car, but that's what it had so I'm trying to make do.

[noid]

If you have CAA, it works in the states also. I feel your pain, I blew a water pump in Iowa a few months back.

A wheel bearing is something almost any shop can do. If you have only 1 tow (the one you pay for) then I would advise towing it to an indy shop.

As far as tows are concerned, CAA starts working right away if you pay an extra $40 bucks I think and you get 5 free tows of 200km each. So depending on how far of a tow your facing it is likely worth it.

Goodluck man.

[downforce22]

Where in denver are you? I just did my front ix wheel bearing. Maybe try the spare to limp it to a shop?

[cwatt]

Where in denver are you? I just did my front ix wheel bearing. Maybe try the spare to limp it to a shop?

I'm in a hotel near the airport (Tower Rd.). The car isn't drivable though, the wheel is grinding against the strut.

I did use a tow last night to get it off the highway. CAA said that I could tow it here then to a shop in the morning. Neither them nor the driver could suggest a shop that could fix it, so I thought this would be the best plan.

[WERDNA75]

Check out www.Bimmerhaus.com or one of the many Indy European car repair shops. There are a lot of them plus there is a Pull and Save yard on East 33rd / Peoria st. close to where you are if you need any spares.

[Roysneon]

Wish I could help you out. Are you bringing this back to Halifax, NS? If so, get in touch with me, there are lots of E30 and BMW guys around.

[cwatt]

Wish I could help you out. Are you bringing this back to Halifax, NS? If so, get in touch with me, there are lots of E30 and BMW guys around.

I sure am ! STOKED there are others around. I need a new steering rack. Mine is bleeding. :(

Also, turned out NOT to be the hub. The previous, previous owner installed lowering springs but didn't tighten a lock ring, so the suspension basically collapsed on itself. Yeah, fun times.


In Kansas City right now. I smell rubber burning like it's a belt, but I crawled under and the belt seems to be in good shape (no tearing or anything). Here goes the push to the east coast.

[superboosted]

I'm in pa off 80/81 if you need help close to home :) good luck man! I love those trips:) why no pics of the car?

[Julien]

it must have been making a lot of noise for a long time before that happened! Have you checked to see if the big nut is still on and holding the bearing in place?