Wheel bearings?

[2002maniac]

What kind of wear to the front bearings are you guys experiencing? It's been about a year since I put on the big brakes and started running wide R-comps and both my front wheelbearings which were replaced 10 months ago are pretty bad.

Is there any special care that can keep them in good shape longer? Any particular brand of bearing that lasts better than others?

[1991 318is]

OEM wheels and going slow! Not being a wise ass, but that's the way it is with bigger offsets and suspension loads.

[hoyabmw]

Mine usually last about 2 years, but I only drive the car to and from events, and run about 15-20 autoxes per year. Running 225/50/15s til now, going to the 275s next year.

[StackTrack]

That's part of the payoff for going with r-comps... increased wear on all suspension components. Plan on replacing LCA and other bushings almost once a year as well depending on how may event you do a year.

[Brew]

Make sure both the inner and outer dust shields are in place. Other than that, not much you can do. Luckily they're cake to replace.

[matthew-mayhem]

Don't laugh but the company FAG in germany makes excellent wheel bearings. Becaues in and sort of drag or race the bak get more wear then front, when the car moves sie to side. FAG makes a high density ring on the outsie, and they only cost about 36 bucks a pop

[aaron.j]

m3 struts

[vodomagoo]

I change all mine once a season now that I sometimes run slicks, when I had a street e30 I did them the front once a year and rears every 2 when I did de's.

[cheades]

replacing the grease on the new ones you install with a good synthetic wheel bearing grease will help.

[Cooper]

Increasing the torque/preload will help longevity quit a bit. Also as stated above synthetic grease will help but don't over pack them, over packing creates a bunch of extra heat and that causes more wear and when the extra grease purges past the seals it can damn near empty it (will not settle at the proper amount).

Clean out the factory crap and put in 1/3rd the bearings capacity, evenly spread with all surfaces coated.

On the torque/preload, you'll just have to try adding more and find a torque that still allows free spin.

[mayhem]

I picked up the SKF front wheel hubs from bimmerparts.com. Are these bearing prepacked with grease? They appear to be sealed bearings.

[drift]

Don't laugh but the company FAG in germany makes excellent wheel bearings. Becaues in and sort of drag or race the bak get more wear then front, when the car moves sie to side. FAG makes a high density ring on the outsie, and they only cost about 36 bucks a pop

So, the front bearings are sold separately ( w/o hub) ?
I thought they are 1 piece together ,
but i really hope they are removable, so i just buy the bearings only :)

[matt]

So, the front bearings are sold separately ( w/o hub) ?
I thought they are 1 piece together ,
but i really hope they are removable, so i just buy the bearings only :)

No, they are not.

[Ben Carufel]

No, they are not.

Some have told me that the front bearings can be purchased without the hub. Others have told me differently.

Who's right?

[e30sd]

ben you're an idiot