Hello, I have a 1988 BMW convertible. I'm trying to remove the rear hub to replace the bearings. I have removed the brakes, brake disc, E-brake, the hub nut, and i removed the aisle where it is connected to the Diff. Am I missing something? I have tried the different methods found on youtube. I tried using a bearing separator which allows using two lug nuts to tighten against it which should cause the hub to come off. I've tried using a large center punch to drive the aisle out of the hub. Nothing has worked. I don't even feel it has budged even a little. it almost feels like I'm missing a bolt or nut somewhere that is holding it back.. Appreciate any thoughts.
Once the larger 32mm, I think is the size, out you will need to drive the half shaft out. This can be accomplished by using a center punch and a 2lbs hammer, an air chisel, or just plain ole brute force of a sledge hammer if you don't plan on keeping either the hub or axle.
Yes you can try a harmonic balance puller, for this will push out the half shaft too, what can help is tapping a bit on the hub as you tighten down the center bolt.
Just remember to clean both splines and apply plenty of lube to get it back in.
Darin
Current:
16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
Past:
95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
M-Flight Member
Did you remove the locking ring, item 2 here?
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=33_0437
2004 525i Sport, Manual - 1985 325E Coupe Manual
Darin
Current:
16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
Past:
95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
M-Flight Member
Are the half shafts splined into the bearing? I ask, because on my Nissan Altima it took 3 days, map gass penetrant spray and an 8 lbs sledge hammer before I saw movement. Some people have luck putting the axle nut back on and over tightening it the. Loosening it to maybe pull the axle a bit and brake the rusty bond. Again, not sure if this is your issue.
- - - Updated - - -
Fyi, not that you will try this, but before I hit the axle this way I put the nut back on a few threads, then put a cheap socket on the nut and beat that with the sledge, ended up going full force, but it was that or toe it into a shop and I accepted the risks. It worked very slowly.
Thanks--i guess i need to use a little more elbow grease. I don't want to damage the hub or axle. I will keep trying---thanks for your help. I just don't understand what would be holding it back--maybe 34 years of resistance. Might ck on a harmonic balance puller.
Update--got the 1/2 shaft out. Now to get the hub off
I used the lug bolts to get the hub out. Just screw the bolts into opposite holes in the hub, and slid some 1/4" steel plate between the end of the bolts and trailing arm bearing cup so that the bolts would push the hub out as they are tightened. Worked like a champ.
Then you remove the retaining ring and pull out the bearings. If you have a bearing puller, that's awesome, but some of us have to make do with 2" PVC pipe, threaded rod, washers, and a large socket.
thanks for the help an pic--i got the bearing off finally. just need to put everything back together
Glad to hear! As these cars get older, some parts will be very difficult to remove, so hate to say it, but get used to it.
Darin
Current:
16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
Past:
95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
M-Flight Member
I finally got everything back together on the hub and bearings. thanks for the help
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