Prop centre bearing. New item, dry?

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
hillbilly30
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 419
Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Norfolk boy

Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:45 pm

Hello all, have fitted another centre bearing, it's was fine for 10 miles but started making scratching dry noises, sprayed it with wd40 type lube and was fine for a few miles but noise has come back. Am thinking a thicker spray grease like white grease would be better?? Anyone had this issue before! Don't fancy swapping it out again!
mrLEE30
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 6589
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Sweating buckets in Bahrain

Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:24 pm

did you pre load the bearing?

if not then try this first, with the bearing housing in a finger tight position, slide the bearing housing about 5mm toward the gearbox and tighten in this position.

Also WD40 is not really a lubruicant as such, in fact it acts as a degeasing agent, so spraying WD40 on a bearing is only a short term fix as it stop noise for a while but also washes grease away ultimately shortening the life of the bearing.
Image
User avatar
hillbilly30
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 419
Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Norfolk boy

Sat Oct 05, 2013 1:30 pm

Thanks mrlee but I have an update, I've today noticed that the factory grease is oozing from the casing, also the rear of the bearing case is loose in the housing! So I/and Richard off of BBB think its toast! So that's a grand total of 80 miles from a brand new part! Thanks GSF! Genuine item next please.
User avatar
Rob_farmer
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 204
Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:00 pm
Location: Latvia

Sun Oct 06, 2013 6:09 pm

There are decent aftermarket parts out there, just don`t buy cheapest, they could be made in China.
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:19 pm

Easiest way to ruin a brand new bearing is to damage one of the grease seals when you fit it, pushing it inwards so that it fouls the ball cage.
User avatar
TommyM
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: scotland

Sat Oct 12, 2013 4:38 pm

Hi just reading up as my centre bearing has given up. From what ive read looks like what was said above about sliding bearing forward to gearbox or on a m3 its backwards might not be true as im just looking at google ha. Where did you buy the bearing from? Anyone recommend a good place for aftermarket parts?
zd3bx
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 638
Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2013 11:00 pm
Location: London

Sat Oct 12, 2013 5:59 pm

It's better just to buy it already inserted into the carrier, so there won't be any hassle fitting it.

I've got Febi one (Febi part no 02823), plenty on ebay for £25-30, but that's for a facelift...Older E30's might have a different part number.
User avatar
TommyM
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: scotland

Sat Oct 12, 2013 6:26 pm

Mine has actually broke away from the carrier so will be needing whole thing. Will check ebay and see what stores are so not getting a chinese copy
Post Reply