Removal and installation, checking of front wheel bearings (BMW 3 Series E36)

Removal requires a special BMW tool.

Caution: A wheel bearing defect is indicated by noise, especially when turning a sharp turn, from the bearing side of the wheel on the outside of the turn.

Removal

Loosen the wheel bolts, raise the vehicle and remove the front wheel.



Carefully remove the hub cap using a screwdriver or plastic hammer. The cap must be replaced. When installing a used cap, the seal is not ensured. In this case, penetrating water destroys the bearing in a short time.



Use a cross-punch to straighten the locking element "arrow" of the hub nut "1".

Place the front wheel and lower the car.

Loosen the hub nut.

Note: The nut is tightened with a high tightening torque, so when unscrewing it, the car must be standing with its wheels on the ground. Tighten the handbrake, engage the gear, press the brake pedal.

Remove and hang the brake caliper.

Remove the brake disc.



Unscrew bolt "3" with washer "4" and remove the ABS system pulse sensor (if installed) from the steering knuckle "1".



Press out the wheel hub together with the wheel bearings using a suitable puller.

Attention: Removed unit (wheel hub with bearings) cannot be reinstalled.

Note: If the inner bearing ring has not been removed from the axle, remove the protective shield. Bend the dust shield and remove the bearing ring with a puller. To remove the protective shield, unscrew 3 M6 bolts along the inner diameter with a wrench head.

Installation

If removed, install the protective shield and a new dust shield.

Screw the guide sleeve onto the axle.

Press the bearing assembly onto the axle using the BMW 312120 tool.



Lightly tighten the new hub nut.

Insert and screw in the ABS pulse sensor.

Install the brake disc.

Install the brake caliper

Put the front wheel down and lower the car. Engage the gear, tighten the handbrake and press the brake pedal.

Tighten the hub nut to a tightening torque of 290 Nm and lock it. To do this, use a drift to drive the lug of the nut into the groove on the axle.

Caution: Once the nut has been tightened to the required torque, the bearing assembly cannot be reinstalled.

Install a new hub cap, after covering it with sealing compound.

Tighten the wheel bolts crosswise to 110 Nm.