Wheel Bearings?

[JimHow]

Hey all, I recently purchased a 1987 325i with 170,000 miles. The rear wheels are making what sounds like a low, rubbing type noise only when turning at low speeds in both forward and reverse. The RR makes noise when making a left turn, the LR when making a right turn. I only hear the noise at very low speeds, and at times it is quite pronounced. I'm guessing this is rear wheel bearings. Can anyone confirm and if so how big a job is it to replace them. Thanks for the time.

 

[epj3]

I have heard that the rear wheel bearings is one of the harder repairs on an e30...but pelican parts doesnt say so...
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/JF-Tech/BMW_E30_3_Series_rear_wheel_bearing.htm

Rear wheel bearings aren't terribly expensive, but definitely buy OEM...it's not a repair you should EVER have to do again since the original ones lasted 170k miles.

 

[Auslander RML]

The press-in style bearings on an e30 aren't tough to replace, as long as you have the $250 tool. Without the tool, it feels nearly impossible. I tried so hard to get the damn things out...ended up taking it to the mechanic who had a press bearing tool, and it took all of 10 seconds

 

[JimHow]

Thanks for the input. Pelican Parts says to replace the hub with the bearings....shouldn't that save me from purchasing a bearing remover? Gotta say thanks for all the great info I've found on this site....I've probably saved nearly $1000 in repairs.

 

[sm32589g]

u should buy atleast one more than you need also if you do it yourself because some of the bearings you buy are already broken or you split them theyll break we broke one trying to put it in our e30 it was italian made thats why ha jk

 

[cloud9]

You may want to check for warped rotors before going ahead with the wheel bearings. I was fooled into replacing my left front wheel bearing, only to find the noise was caused by a warped rotor, which seemed to get much louder during right turns. I also have 175K on my 86' 325e.

 

[ldzpstnr]

I just replaced my Left Rear wheel bearing today. Well I did not do it but had it done. It took a mechanic shop three hours to get it out. It was rusted in place, and it took a lot of pounding and pressing to get it out. I wanted to replace both at the same time but since the left one took more time then expected I didnt have the time to get the other one done. This job cost me a total of $190 including the bearing. SKF is the OEM bearings and I got it for $39.50. I get good deals through a local european car parts guy.

My 87 325 has 222K miles on it now by the way.

Are you sure its the bearings? I say its the brake rotors, or maybe the CV joints on the axle shafts. Dont front wheel drive cars make a similar sound when the CV joitns are going out?

My bearing was making a constant low howl/growl sound constantly.... going from barely noticable at low speeds to decent cab noise at highway speeds. Now the sound is gone.

Later, Aaron

 

[sm32589g]

his isnt all wheel drive
i heard the same noise in my car and replaced the bearing it was the front left and right ones and the noises stopped so it wasnt the cv joint.

 

[epj3]

Differentials can make various fun noises. How about a bad U joint on the driveshaft?

 

[Onion]

I'm thinking my rear wheel bearings are shot as well. I have the low roar sound that seems to get a little louder as you speed up. I also have a tire tread wear problem on the rear driver side tire. The tread is wearing pretty quick on the inside of the tire. I just had the tires rotated and balanced and I had it aligned about two weeks ago. I have a 1990 325iC with 135000 miles on it. Being here in Atlanta, I'll probablt take it in to a place called Bovarian Imports. Anyone use this place here?
Anyone have the part #s on the bearings? Thanks!

 

[JimHow]

I just picked up an 88 325is parts car(blown engine/120K). I'm thinking rather than deal with the wheel bearings I'll just swap the whole rear end into my '87 325i. It looks like a pretty straightforward swap...any suggestions or comments appreciated