Removal and installation the front hub and bearing assembly (BMW 5 Series E28)

Removal the front hub and bearing assembly renders it unusable and will require a new assembly for reassembly.

Removal

1. Loosen the wheel mounting bolts, then jack up the front of the car and securely place it on the axle supports. Loosen the wheel mounting bolts and remove the wheel.



2. Using a hammer and chisel, remove the dust cap from the hub.



3. Loosen the hub nut.

4. Install the wheel and lower the vehicle to the ground. Loosen, but do not remove, the hub nut.

Always loosen and tighten the hub nut only when the vehicle is lowered to the ground. The force required to loosen this nut (which is pulled very tightly), may cause the vehicle to fall off its axle supports.

5. Jack up the front of the car and securely place it on axle supports. Remove the front wheel again.



6. Remove the front brake caliper and its mounting bracket (see chapter Brake system). It is not necessary to disconnect the brake hose. Hang the caliper to the side on a piece of wire so that it does not interfere with the work.

7. Remove the brake disc (see chapter Brake system).



8. Loosen the hub nut and pull the hub and bearing assembly off the steering knuckle. If it is stuck, you can knock it out.

9. If the inner bearing race remains on the steering knuckle (that happens sometimes), remove the dust cover behind the bearing and use a puller to remove the inner race.

Installation

1. Install the new dust cover.



2. Place the new hub and bearing onto the stub axle. If force is required, apply pressure only to the inner bearing race.



3. Install the new hub nut and tighten it with your fingers for now.

4. Install the brake disc, its countersunk mounting screw and the brake caliper (see chapter Brake system).

5. Install the wheel and lower the car to the ground.

6. Tighten the hub nut to the required torque. Remember to do this with the car lowered to the ground and not on the axle stands.

7. Jack up the front of the car and securely place it on axle supports. Remove the wheel.

8. Insert the collar of the nut into the groove on the axle.

9. Apply a suitable sealant to the new dust cap and seat the cap using a soft-faced mallet.

10. Install the wheel and wheel bolts. Lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the wheel bolts to the specified torque.