Wheel hub and bearing, remove and install, except 325iX

# Wheel hub and bearing, remove and install.

Special Note: M3 wheel bearing can be replaced with hub from 1988 535i at lower cost, however, ABS ring on 535i hub is incorrect for M3 application. ABS ring must be removed and swapped with original from M3 hub. ABS rings are not available separately from BMW.

NOTE: Removing wheel hub requires replacement of bearing, wheel bearing should not be re-used.
Raise and support vehicle. |
Remove wheel. |
Remove brake caliper and bracket, as a unit, from strut by removing both 17mm bolts. |
Grab caliper and pull it towards the face of the rotor, in a twisting motion, this will force the piston back into the caliper enough to allow you the clearance to remove the caliper from the rotor. The older the rotors, the more clearance you will need to get past the lip on the outer edge of the rotor. If the rotors have a 1mm or greater lip, they should be replaced. |
NOTE: Do not let a caliper hang by its rubber brake hose, this can result in damage to the ends of the rubber hose which could cause a dangerous situation at a later date.
Remove 5mm Allen bolt securing rotor to hub. If bolt head is stripped, and rotors are being replaced, use a hammer on the back of the rotor to break it off the hub. This will allow you to get full access to the head of the bolt with a pair of vice grips or even to cut a slot in the head for a screwdriver. If rotors are not being replaced, drill head off bolt to remove rotor. |
The only purpose of this bolt is to retain the rotor while installing the wheel, if necessary, it can be left out, although it may cause problems later if you have to change a tire on the side of the road.
Remove rotor, if rotor is stuck to hub , hit it with a hammer. If rotor is to be re-used, do not hit the outer surfaces, hit the rotor where the wheel bolts go through. The shock of a few good hits will bounce the rotor off the hub, be careful not to drop the rotor.
Remove cap from hub with a hammer and chisel. |
Bend back locking tab on 46mm spindle nut and remove nut. A 46mm thin walled 12 point socket is required for this. Most 6 point sockets have walls that are too thick to fit inside the hub. |
The hub assembly can usually be pulled off by hand, provided you keep it very straight.
If hub will not come off by hand, fit a slide hammer, or puller assembly to the hub and remove. BMW special tools: 33 2 102, 33 2 105 and 33 2 106.
Often, the inner bearing race will remain on the spindle, in this case, use a puller to remove the race from the hub. BMW special tools: 33 1 309 and 00 7 500

### Installation:

Replace dust guard behind bearing if damaged during removal. Old dust guard can be removed more easily if the brake backing plate is removed first. |
NOTE: Brake backing plate MUST be installed before hub is installed.
Press new hub onto spindle with a socket that fits over the spindle but is firmly contacting the inner race of the bearing. After ¼" of thread is visible, install nut and tighten to pull hub onto spindle. BMW special tools: 31 2 120 or 31 2 110
After bearing hub is correctly seated, install a new nut, tighten to specification and bend locking tab into slot on spindle.

### Part Numbers:

M3 hub | : | 31 21 2 225 362
535i hub | : |
Dust shield | : | 31 21 1 126 065
Spindle nut | : | 31 21 1 128 336
Outer cap | : | 31 21 1 130 124

### Torques:

Spindle nut | : | 290 Nm (210 ft lbs.)
Brake Caliper bracket | : | 86 - 110 Nm (62-80 ft lbs.)

E30 M3 Repair Manual V2.7. Copyright ©1999-2001 Koala Motorsport & Brett Anderson