BMW E39 front and rear wheel bearing
Which brand of wheel bearing should I choose for the E39?
Choose the original manufacturer's FAG bearing; the same bearing can also be bought in another brand's packaging. In cheap, often Chinese bearings the ABS ring grooves can be poor, in which case ABS does not work, and they do not last well.
How do I recognise a loose rear wheel bearing?
First check the joints and the links. If the wheel has clear play up and down and sideways, the fault is in the bearing. Also check the rear arm bushing, because both can be faulty at the same time.
How is the rear wheel bearing removed?
1. Remove the driveshaft from the bolts; if it does not come off, take the hub apart and press the shaft out. 2. Remove the Torx bolts. 3. The bearing and hub come off together with a couple of hammer blows or with a press. 4. The hub nut is 36 mm and needs a 12-point socket. 5. Remove the bearing from the hub with a puller; the inner race may stay in the hub. A stuck hub can be heated strongly.
Do the angles need adjusting after replacing the bearing?
Yes, the angles are readjusted after replacing the bearing. Wrong angles wear out the tyres.