When noise appears on BMW cars in the area of the outer wheel, especially during sharp turns, attention should be paid to the wheel hub bearing.
Replacement of the wheel hub bearing on BMW E46
On the E46 model, the list of works for replacing the bearing looks as follows.
How to remove the bearing
The removal of the bearing is carried out in the following sequence:
- Mark the position of the front wheel relative to the hub using paint. This will allow you to correctly install the wheel after balancing during assembly. Loosen the attachment bolts on the required wheel while the car is standing with all wheels on the ground. Then the front part of the car is lifted, placed on special stands, and the front wheel is removed;
- The cover on the front wheel is pried and removed with a screwdriver. It must be replaced with a new one during assembly. Reusing a cover that has been in use will not provide the required level of sealing;
- Use a chisel to remove the lock;
- Secure the front wheel and lower the car again onto all wheels;
- Unscrew the nut with a collar. The nut is tightened with an increased torque, so for successful unscrewing, all wheels of the car must be on the ground. To prevent the wheel from turning when unscrewing the nut, the assistant should press the brake pedal as requested by the driver;
- Remove and secure the caliper with wire, followed by the brake disc;
- The ABS sensor of the impulse type system must be disconnected from the steering knuckle;
- After removing the assembly (hub and bearings), their reuse is not allowed. If it is not possible to remove the inner ring of the bearing from the steering knuckle, loosen three M6 bolts and use a puller.
Installation of a new BMW E46 bearing
The installation is carried out as follows.
- If the shield was removed, it should be reinstalled;
- A special swivel bushing, included in the tool kit, is screwed onto the entire length of the thread;
- Using a special tool, the new bearing unit is installed in place, followed by the removal of the guide sleeve;
- Slightly screw on the new nut with the sleeve;
- Install and secure the ABS sensor;
- Install the brake disc and caliper;
- The wheel must be installed, paying attention to the alignment of the markings made during removal. The centering ring of the wheel disc should be lubricated with a thin layer of bearing grease. There is no need to lubricate the bolts used to secure the wheel. Finally, tighten the bolts;
- Lower the car onto the ground with all wheels and engage the gear while applying the parking brake;
- Tighten the nut with the collar to 290 Nm and stake it. To do this, the nut's burr is driven into the axis slot of the knuckle using a punch;
The hub cover is lubricated with a special grease and installed in place. If a used cover is installed, water may enter the hub, leading to bearing damage.
When tightening the wheel attachment bolts, a torque of 100 Nm should be used.
More: Replacement of bearings on BMW E34, E36, E39 wheel hubs
Replacement of the bearing on the rear hub of BMW E90
The main reason for its failure is natural wear and tear. The period during which the bearing can function properly depends on the driving style of the car owner. Frequent encounters with road irregularities negatively affect its service life.
The second reason is the insufficient level of lubrication on the bearing balls. With a larger wheel diameter, the bearing will also fail faster due to the increased load on it.
Broken bearings should be replaced as soon as possible, as their use can lead to an emergency situation, up to the wheel detachment. Another important reason for replacing the bearing is discomfort, leading to driver fatigue and suspension component damage.
The car should be placed on a lift and the front wheel should be removed. Then, remove the caliper with the bracket and the brake disc. Using a special tool, remove the wheel hub. Use a bearing puller to extract the bearing, and press a new one into place. Before that, clean the mounting surface from dust, dirt, and other contaminants.
If defects in the hub bearing are found, its replacement should be carried out as soon as possible, as driving such a car can lead to a more serious breakdown or even an emergency situation. The sign of such a malfunction is the appearance of extraneous noise or rumbling in the wheel area, where the bearing has failed.
