Pictures. I should have taken pictures of the process and equipment. I am not familiar with all of the terms, and it is always helpful to have someone show you. Plus knowing how something is assembled helps when you are taking it apart. I could not see inside the assembly, but with pictures I would have understood what each step meant. (I had never even heard of a slide hammer or a bearing seperator before, now I own both, plus a ball bearing seperator which I will use a lot. I am completely rebuilding a 1986 camaro now too. This is all very new to me, but challenging fun and a great hobby).
After breaking the new bearing I took it to a machine shop (tons of equipment and extreme heavy machines that needed forklifts to put together). Dealing with all kinds of bearing he was amazed at this set up for a wheel bearing.
Also, cautionary tips in caps or bold. SUPPORT THE BACK OF THE BEARING OR YOU WILL BREAK IT! I somehow missed it but when I went back there it was clear as day. Now I understand you need to press the hub into the bearing not into the assembly (and therefore the bearing should be supported under the press.
Other than the $ (even with 2 bearings this is so much cheaper than taking it to the shop), the biggest inconvenience is waiting for the parts. Nobody sells BMW parts without having to order them - so when you mess up you are a couple days delayed unless you pay double from the dealer.
Monday, October 19th, 2009 AT 7:33 AM
