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Thread: Rear wheel lug stripped in hub

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Rear wheel lug stripped in hub

    So I was replacing my rear brakes today and I noticed that as I was loosening one of the wheel studs there was quite a bit of resistance on it. The stud came out and it appears to have been cross threaded at some time. I put the stud back in the same hole to see if it would grab the same threads and it does, but it just spins and spins. The rest of the lugs have been torqued properly. It always seems that when I have my tires balanced or rotated they never use a torque wrench - just the air gun.

    My question is will a mechanic be able to re-tap the threads in the rear hub, or is the hub likely toast? What would a hub replacement cost???

    Thanks!

  2. #2
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    The parts is cheap. I have one I removed from the 530it. But labor will kill you. And I don't think you can pull the bearing out intact either so you need a new wheel bearing.

    This is a good incentive to DIY. I think you only need a gear puller in addition to the regular metric tool set.

    PS: Sorry. the hub is probably different. You have a 535.
    '01 540it, built 6/01
    '08 535xit, built 2/08
    '10 535xi, built 9/09
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  3. #3
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    Thanks. I'm hoping my mechanic can re-tap the threads in the hub. I'm sure someone else has run into this problem before, no?

  4. #4
    moroza's Avatar
    moroza is offline MORΩN ΛABIA BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by yaofeng View Post
    The parts is cheap. I have one I removed from the 530it. But labor will kill you. And I don't think you can pull the bearing out intact either so you need a new wheel bearing.
    It seems to be luck of the draw on whether the inner race stays attached to the hub shaft or the outer race. I would count on the former.

    The labor is straightforward but takes a while - unbolt the axle, undo a big jesus nut, fiddle with a gearpuller and possibly other tools. I only had to replace my inner drive flanges, but that was a few hours and renting special tools.


    This is a good incentive to DIY. I think you only need a gear puller in addition to the regular metric tool set.
    Thought a slide hammer was needed as well, or the BMW special tool?

    PS: Sorry. the hub is probably different. You have a 535.
    Both cars use 33411134883; only 525i's were different but they're attached the same way.

  5. #5
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    I did not use a slide hammer removing it from the 540i. Did not have one. Maybe that's why I destroyed the bearing?

    Anyway, retapping is the first thing you should do. If it does not work then dig deeper.
    '01 540it, built 6/01
    '08 535xit, built 2/08
    '10 535xi, built 9/09
    '10 mini 6 speed
    '15 mini countryman 6 speed

  6. #6
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    u can always have him drill + retap to a larger diameter and just use one larger lug.
    13 Grand Cherokee Limited V8 - Daily Driver - Wife
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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by yaofeng View Post
    I did not use a slide hammer removing it from the 540i. Did not have one. Maybe that's why I destroyed the bearing?
    I pressed my right side hub out last week and the inner race came out with the hub. I did the left side yesterday and the inner race stayed in-tacked. I have no clue why that is....
    I used a hydraulic press
    The hard part is getting the inner race off the hub.
    Last edited by mean green 540; 12-14-2009 at 11:34 AM.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by jrodgolfer View Post
    Thanks. I'm hoping my mechanic can re-tap the threads in the hub. I'm sure someone else has run into this problem before, no?
    I have. I did it myself in about five minutes with a tap set from ebay. Its been over 1 year and holding fine.
    I love to flap my paddle..

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lord DRIFT View Post
    I have. I did it myself in about five minutes with a tap set from ebay. Its been over 1 year and holding fine.
    Can you tell me what size tap or maybe the ebay listing I should be looking for if I wanted to try this?

  10. #10
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    12mm by 1.5 pitch is the thread.

    Rich

  11. #11
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    1976 2002, 1998 328is
    I have used a tap to clean up lug-bolt threads in a hub. Turned out fine.

    d.hitchcock
    Avus 1998 328is, No. 191 STX
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    Malaga 1976 2002

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