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January is a really cold month here,
so without heat in the big garage, you're at the mercy of
mother nature... Installed wheel bearings before? I've not seen this covered
before so it seems like a good topic to review this month. Hopefully
this will show you that it's really pretty easy. |
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BACK VIEW: Specifically, these aren't your normal 2002 front
hubs. These are the E21 3 series variety, used for a big brake upgrade. In
this setup, I have used
Jack Fahuna at ProBmw's setup, which gives you the E21 hub drilled out
and configured for 19mm studs, like the original 2002 setup. E21 units went
down to 17mm, so they must be tapped and reconfigured with new studs... or
you keep 2 lug wrenches in your trunk. This is the before shot,
without any bearings installed. |
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On the left is the seal, which goes in last. On the right is
the 2 parts of the bearing, the outer bearing surface and the inner bearing
race which is placed against the back of the front axle on the lower part of
the strut. |
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This is a better view of each part. The bearing surfaces are
tapered inward when installed properly. |
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Very carefully, after lubricating the back side of the
bearing mount and the inside of the hood, tap the bearing down into the hub
until it stops, which is approximately 10 mm. |
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Next, pack the bearing with grease. In my car we're using
Mobil One Synthetic gear lube, which is a pink color. Moly grease is also
acceptable. Pack the bearing with grease by placing a blob on your hand,
cupping your hand pull the bearing toward you as though you were scraping
the grease up with the bearing. This procedure should be repeated 2-3 times
until you have sufficiently packed the bearing race with lube. Then pack the
inside like shown in the photo prior to putting the seal in. |
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In a similar fashion, tap the bearing seal down into the hub.
It will keep the lube from going everywhere after it's torqued up to the
axle. Repeat this process with the other hub, then move onto the front
bearing. |
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A view of the front, without a bearing installed yet.
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The setup is similar on the front, only no seal is used.
There is a dust cup which goes over it all when your done. Here I have
placed the inner bearing in a test fit prior to installation. Again lube the
back of the bearing and the inner wall of the hub so that it slides right
in. Begin tapping it in with a soft hammer and something which will not mar
the surface. Bearing installation tools are available for the tool happy
folks, but it's not really necessary here in my opinion. |
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Here the new bearing is installed, down flush with the lip
edge on the inside of the hub. Pack and install the bearings as described
above for the back side bearings. |
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When you're done with the top, it should look like this. At
this point, put the hubs in plastic bags and set them aside if you're not
ready to install them... |
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Meanwhile, the front axles are ready to accept the brake
calipers and hubs. This is the passenger side... |
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This is the drivers side. I have held off installing the sway
bar links until the wheels are on, and the weight of the car has been
applied. The suspension is artificially sprung low now when the car is on
the wood brace shown behind. In the next few weeks we will add the wheels
and put the car on the ground. |
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The center track rod and tie rod ends are installed. The car
can now be turned, after 14 months! |
| MORE
NEXT MONTH! (TOP) |
