rear wheel bearing

[320iAN]

can someone help me with info about the rear wheel bearing's on my car?
i need to replace one (driver's side) they look fairly straight forward to change but what i need to know is:

is it a 30mm socket for removing the retaining nut?
which way does it turn, clockwise or anti clockwise?

my car has drum's not disc's and is an auto, ive tried a 30mm socket on it but i only have heavy duty/impact one's for that size and it wont fit in to the space givin around the nut, so one's i know the size i'll go get a slimmer socket

[320iAN]

has anyone replaced a rear wheel bearing?

[Brianmoooore]

I have (not lately though), and so have many others on here. Several of these have wished they hadn't tried!!

[massive]

I wouldnt touch it!

[320iAN]

so .. am i better replacing the whole arm? (and drive shaft?)

[BadDave]

can someone help me with info about the rear wheel bearing's on my car?
i need to replace one (driver's side) they look fairly straight forward to change but what i need to know is:

is it a 30mm socket for removing the retaining nut?
which way does it turn, clockwise or anti clockwise?

Had a quick check on the etk with a couple of e30 models and its saying that the shafts use the same threads

so it's logical to assume that the nuts are the same
On the disc version it's 32mm nuts
It can be a bit of a bugger to get the job done from the stories I've heard

3ft slide hammers have been mentioned
Better off getting a garage to do it.
Got mine done last year along with a driveshaft boot and the bill came to £120 @£20/hr
With me supplying the bearing
Paid £100 Because my mechanics a good bloke and quoted me for 4-5 hrs and that included the new boot as well
Theres a high probability that Labour rates where you are,are quite a bit higher.
Might be better getting the garage to do it and get the car back at the end of the day,rather than have an unexpected "development" that puts the car off the road for an unexpected period of time
Better to be aware of the problems before,rather than,after you decide to tackle the job

HTH
Dave

[320iAN]

time limit ain't realy a problem as it's been of the road since oct 06, it's just another job that has cropped up while i'm checking and fixing other fault's as i go along.
just pee's you of slightly though when you get one job out the way & another take's it's place, atleast it's repairable stuff and not bad rust or rot

thank's

[sportscarfan]

I have to change the rear wheel bearing as well, and I was also recommended to take it to the service as opposed to trying to do it yourself. Apparently it's a real pain.

[Martinaston]

Quickest way is to remove the arm and get the hub and bearing pressed out and replaced. Just make sure they don't push the inner part of the new bearing out the back when they press the hub back in.
It gives you a chance to check the condition of the trailing arm bushes as well, Once i'd taken the bits to them it took less than 5 minuets and all for the price of a drink.
The only downside is you have to bleed the brakes after its all back on.
Halfords do the socket for a couple of quid (can't remember the size) and its just a normal nut not a reverse thread.
Don't forget the new locking ring after your done, the socket is just right for hammering into place as well.

[Brianmoooore]

And take note of how the locking ring fits!

[320iAN]

thank's guy's ... think i may just check my local breaker's for a full arm/hub and drive shaft

[E30Mike]

Would say your better off having a garage change the bearing.

My local BM guy quoted it as a 2 1/2 job as they can be a real pain hence me asking him.

Wouldn't recomend the breakers route as you could end up with a trailing arm with worn bushes
and theres no real telling how good the drive shaft or wheel bearing is.

But the choice is your at the end of the day.

Hope you get it sorted

[J_Mac]

Yes it's a pain but with money in mind i did mine for the cost of a bearing only, about a tenner from GFS, i used a 32mm socket for my hub nut (drum) could be 30mm but at that size they don't really slip. I started to think i could get the bearing out on the car ..... answer is no, a bashed thumb and something like 5 hours later i took the whole trailing arm off, turned it over, used a 18mm (i think, don't remember) placed on the back of the bearing, hit with sledge a couple of times and it's out, clean up the inside and slowly tap the edges of the new bearing untill it's in, try not to hit the middle.......... i would say the next time i do it (that being my first time) i could do it in 2 hours?

[E30Mike]

Hub nut is 30mm but its still a lot of hassle taking the arm off and bleeding the brakes etc to do it.

What makes the difference between DIY and the garage is how much they charge.

I got charged £61.10 inc vat ( £24 £/hr) with me supplying a bearing from GSF.

If I had been quoted silly money like a lot of places then I would have done it myself.

[Gwynleym10]

I don't really understand why bleading brakes is so difficult?

If I was doing it my self, I wouldn't bash it back it, but use a piece of threaded bar.

Why don't you forget your rear drums, and get some rear disc trailing arms from a zoner? Then it makes a lot more point to the excersise

If you are not in a rush, I would take the whole are the rear suspension apart and do all the bushes as well, parts are pretty cheap and when its all apart its easiest to do it all. You then wouldn't have to worry about it for at least 50 000 miles!

[320iAN]

I don't really understand why bleading brakes is so difficult?

Why don't you forget your rear drums, and get some rear disc trailing arms from a zoner? Then it makes a lot more point to the excersise

ive thought of doing the disc convertion

...... and today i was offered £240 for the car so i might just sell it on as free time is quite scarce at the moment