BMW E30 wheel hub and wheel bearing
How do I get the E30 rear wheel hub off when it will not come off by hammering?
Tapping with a socket is usually not enough. Use a puller or a press, or carefully knock the hub out from behind with a suitable tube. The bearing's inner race often stays on the hub; it comes off by cutting a groove in it and splitting the race with a chisel. Watch out for the ends of the drive shafts.
Should the wheel bearing be replaced when the hub is removed?
Yes. The old bearing should not be reused, and the inner race almost always breaks up on removal. A new bearing is easily damaged if fitted wrongly, so it is drawn into place with threaded rod, washers and nuts rather than by hammering.
How is the front wheel bearing nut secured?
The locking tab is bent firmly into place, otherwise the nut can come loose. A bearing tightened to the specified torque can still come loose, so it is best to check the tightness again. If the nut will not come off, the lock plate is first bent up out of the groove in the hub.