31 21 180 Replacing Bearing For Front Wheel (AWD)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 10 other vehicles, including the 2010 BMW 535xi, 2010 BMW 528xi, 2009 BMW 535xi, 2009 BMW 528xi, and 2008 BMW 535xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

22 1 018
31 2 113
33 2 116
33 2 160
33 2 201
33 3 261
33 3 266
33 3 268
33 4 200
33 4 261
33 4 262

IMPORTANT: Bearing cannot be dismantled.
Do not wash out bearing.

Remove front wheel.

Release collar nut; to do so, press brake pedal to floor.

Remove front brake disk

Fig 1: Locating Collar Nut

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Force drive flange with special tools 33 2 116 / 33 2 201, 33 2 160, 33 4 200 and 5 wheel bolts out of wheel bearing.

NOTE: Rounded inside edge of special tool 33 2 160 must point to drive flange.
Detach wheel bearing inner race from drive flange.

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tool (33 2 116 / 33 2 201) And (33 4 200)

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Remove swivel bearing and clamp with aluminum clamping jaws in vice.

IMPORTANT: The bearing was destroyed when the drive flange hub was removed and must not be reused!

Lift out retaining ring (1).

Fig 3: Identifying Retaining Ring

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Pull out bearing with special tools 31 2 113, 33 4 261, 33 3 266 and 33 3 261.

NOTE: The bearing can be forced out of the swivel bearing on a press.
Check dust sleeve, replace if necessary.

Fig 4: Identifying Special Tool (31 2 113), (33 4 261) And (33 3 266)

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IMPORTANT: Keep press-fit areas clean and free of oil and grease.
Coat bearing seat in swivel bearing over 50 % of its length with Loctite 638.
Wider chamfer of bearing must point to swivel bearing!

Clean press-fit area of new bearing.

Clean bearing seat in swivel bearing and coat over 50 % of its length with Loctite 638.

IMPORTANT: Wider chamfer (1) of bearing must point to swivel bearing!

Fig 5: Locating Wider Chamfer

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Align bearing by way of wider chamfer to swivel bearing and draw in with special tools 31 2 113, 22 1 018, 33 4 262 and 33 3 261.

NOTE: The bearing can be forced out of the swivel bearing on a press.

Fig 6: Identifying Special Tool (31 2 113), (33 4 262) And (22 1 018)

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Install new circlip (1).

NOTE: Make sure circlip (1) is correctly seated.

Fig 7: Identifying Retaining Ring

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Draw in drive flange (1) with special tools 31 2 113, 33 3 268, 33 3 266 and 33 3 261.

Fig 8: Identifying Special Tool (31 2 113), (33 3 268) And (33 3 266)

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Install swivel bearing.

Draw output shaft into drive flange.

Install front brake disk.

Install front brake caliper.

Replace collar nut, apply a light coating of oil to contact surface and tighten down.

Tightening torque 31 21 2AZ .

Secure collar nut by peening on flat areas of output shaft.

Install front wheel.

Fig 9: Locating Collar Nut

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