Independant repair shop

[edhchoe]

I took the car to one to get the driverside rear wheel bearing replaced. 2 hours later he calls me tells me that the hub might get damaged in the process. I asked him how much. And he says $175 used.... $300 for new. Bull $hit! I checked and list is less than $80. He said he will try not to damage it but no guarantees. Will it break? I understand it is stuck but can't they take it out in one piece? He said he will use heat.

[ecorrea21]

Happend to me too, had the rear bearing pressed only to have it fail a week later. After having the job redone by a diffrent shop they showed me where the bearing its self had been damaged during instalation (tech error), over a year now on the new bearing and no problems. They usually say "It might get damaged so they can cover there a$$e$.

[Ablice]

Well tell them if they do damage it they'll be liable for replacement.

Also tell them if they can't do it properly don't do it at all.

[Mr. X]

Being a previous BMW tech and currently owing my own european shop, I have replace many Rear wheel bearings on e30's. I have never damaged a hub while removing with proper tools. If he does manage to destroy the hub, buy your own part and supply it to them.

[edhchoe]

Good news. They didn't damage any parts! I will pick up the car tomorrow. I hope the wheel bearing will last unlike the person on this board whose bearing failed after one year. Next time when I need a rear bearing replaced, I am taking the trailing arm off and taking it to a machine shop.

[soks86]

I think I killed my front bearing during a sharp stop (not sure yet, gonna check a few other things) but is it possible to buy JUSt the bearing becuase I always see it sold with the HUB for $80... if I can do just the bearing and it's cheaper that would be great.

Eh?

[edhchoe]

the front bearing is preassembled with the hub. That's how they come from the factory and you cannot just buy front bearings. I know it is more expensive than the rear bearings (only $30 each). But it must make the job much easier.

[ohnoes]

Good independent repair shops are so much better than any dealer, both in their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.