Adjusting the clearance in the hub bearings (BMW 5 Series E12)

Up to model year 1978

Remove the wheel and hub cap.

Rasp pin the castle nut.

Tighten the nut to a torque of 1 kgf·m, while turning the wheel hub to self-align the bearing rollers and remove excess grease.

After tightening the nut, back it off about a third of a turn. The lock washer with the inner nose should be able to turn a small angle to the left and right.

Attach an indicator to the hub, adjust it with a preliminary force, then rock the hub in the axial direction, reading the bearing clearance value on the indicator, which should be as small as possible (see "Detailed technical specifications").

Since 1978 model year

Remove the front wheel and hub cap.

Remove the cotter pin and loosen the hub crown nut.

Tighten the nut to a torque of 3.0-3.3 kgf·m, while turning the wheel hub to self-align the bearing rollers and remove excess grease.

After tightening the nut, rotate the hub at least two times without tightening or loosening the hub nut.

To obtain the required axial clearance in the bearings, loosen the crown nut, then tighten it to a torque of no more than 0.3 kgf·m and secure it with a cotter pin.

If the hub bearing clearance is adjusted correctly, the washer with the inner nose under the hub nut should move without effort.