Anyone replace their front wheel bearings on an E36? I found a diy but i don't have a lot of the tools necessary. Should I just take it to a shop and get it done? If anyone did do it, I'd like to know how hard of a job it was.

Aloha....

Sorry to jack your thread, but i believe i need my wheel bearing done as well. (Rear, though)

However, im not certain that it is the wheel bearing, and i would like to know if someone can help me diagnose it to be sure before i get it done (goodyear charges like $50 just to diagnose)


Oasay - theres this guy in Hawaii Kai who seems to be a BMW enthusiast - he said he would do wheel bearing work (i just want to make sure its the wheel bearing before i take it to him). He quoted me a little under $200 for the part and labor, but he told me if i get the part (around $40 online) he would do it for around $110. I can give you his number if you like, but i think the prices for rear and front bearings are different.

Some folks will tell you it's a DIY but there are things that can go wrong and you'll need a big breaker bar to take off the nut and to also retorque it (I think in excess of 200ft/lbs). So you might want to consider a mechanic. My suggestion for something basic like this would be to take it to Knightwerks.
The bearing sleeve sometimes gets stuck and it's not alot of fun to try and get it off. I've seen guys use the backing plate and totally trash it trying to get it off and are so proud when they get it off but that backing plate doesn't look too happy.
Wiggafly808, might be rear bearings but those are supposed to be even tougher than the front bearings. I'd check to make sure it's not something else. Have you made sure your rear shock mounts are good?
At least rear bearings are much less than the fronts! Seems like you can get a pair on Ebay for about $60. Just make sure they're German.

Sorry to jack your thread, but i believe i need my wheel bearing done as well. (Rear, though)

However, im not certain that it is the wheel bearing, and i would like to know if someone can help me diagnose it to be sure before i get it done (goodyear charges like $50 just to diagnose)


Oasay - theres this guy in Hawaii Kai who seems to be a BMW enthusiast - he said he would do wheel bearing work (i just want to make sure its the wheel bearing before i take it to him). He quoted me a little under $200 for the part and labor, but he told me if i get the part (around $40 online) he would do it for around $110. I can give you his number if you like, but i think the prices for rear and front bearings are different.
Hawaii Kai? That sounds like Alf.

Alf is DAH MAN!
Don't forget that it's always better to replace bearings in pairs.

Wiggafly808, might be rear bearings but those are supposed to be even tougher than the front bearings. I'd check to make sure it's not something else. Have you made sure your rear shock mounts are good?
At least rear bearings are much less than the fronts! Seems like you can get a pair on Ebay for about $60. Just make sure they're German.

Any way to check? or take it somewhere that doesnt charge an arm and a leg and a testicle to look at it?

wiggafly - If you could get me his number that would be great. I already ordered the bearings I just need them installed.

As always ... much mahalos..

Any way to check? or take it somewhere that doesnt charge an arm and a leg and a testicle to look at it?

I'd try doing a search in the E36 area. I'm sure there are tips there on how to identify the problem.
oasay07808, check out Tim at Knightwerks too! I take some of my work there even if I can do it. Sometimes Tim is so reasonable it's worth it.

I'd try doing a search in the E36 area. I'm sure there are tips there on how to identify the problem.
oasay07808, check out Tim at Knightwerks too! I take some of my work there even if I can do it. Sometimes Tim is so reasonable it's worth it.

will do ... thanks guys.

I'd try doing a search in the E36 area. I'm sure there are tips there on how to identify the problem.
oasay07808, check out Tim at Knightwerks too! I take some of my work there even if I can do it. Sometimes Tim is so reasonable it's worth it.
Sometimes? :D

finally had time to replace the bearing... went with Tim @ Knightwerks and no complaints here... excellent service.

Aloha

finally had time to replace the bearing... went with Tim @ Knightwerks and no complaints here... excellent service.

Aloha

Glad to hear you had a good experience with Tim.
Care to share how much it was and what you paid for the bearings?
Also, is there a big difference now?

+1 on experience, and after thoughts on handling, noise or whatever else it was that you noticed that caused you to replace the wheel bearings...

want to do mine on my M3, but haven't investigated enough yet.. as I will definately DIY them, just need to find the right tools, and the DIY

thanks

i also want to know how much did he charge you to replace your wheel bearing. finding out mines is gone too for the front.

more things going bad with the car.
first i replaced the DS -DIY
than the rack -DIY
than a coolant hose -DIY
than the brake switch -DIY
than got alignment today -Island brake and alignment
and now a wheel bearing is going bad!!

arggghhhhh
but its worth it in the end

-b

How did you know your bearings were going? I have a low pitched mtalic squeeking sound coming from the rear of my car when making turn at <10mph while applying a bit of gas. The groaning doesn't happen if i try and cruze through the trun with the clutch in or our of gear (i tried this while going down my parking garage). Have no idea what it is.

Dean, you have a number for knightwerks?

NM, i looked them up on google.:embarrasm

my sound was more of a humming sound from the tire. when it got worse, the car vibrated a lot. one way to check it is to jack up the car, grab the tire at say 6 and 12 and shake it. If there is any play than that's a good indication that the bearing is going bad.

Dean, you have a number for knightwerks?

NM, i looked them up on google.:embarrasm

(808) 597-1191

(808) 597-1191

Called Tim up and he seemed very nice, also seemed very busy. I'm going to give him a call on monday and see if he can fit me in. Also, thanks for the roundel. :buttrock

my sound was more of a humming sound from the tire. when it got worse, the car vibrated a lot. one way to check it is to jack up the car, grab the tire at say 6 and 12 and shake it. If there is any play than that's a good indication that the bearing is going bad.

That may be just bad control arm ball joints.

3 & 9 O'clock is tie rod ends.

Grab the wheel at any spot and pull straight in & out, or jack it up and spin it by hand and feel the crunchies.

Wheel bearings make noise at all speeds. At the mall creeper speed you should hear a pinging or metalic crunching, (you need to turn down your Dubs and roll down the windows)This is the tell tale over a cupped or feathered tire that at higher speed humming.