31 21 180 Replacing bearing for front wheel (AWD)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2012 BMW 328xi, 2011 BMW 328xi, 2010 BMW 328xi, 2009 BMW 328xi, and 2008 BMW 328xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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

Remove front wheel.

IMPORTANT: Expand turning lock sufficiently to avoid damaging thread when releasing collar nut.

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

Fig 1: Locating Collar Nut

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Remove front brake disk. See 34 11 220 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING BOTH FRONT BRAKE DISCS .

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 INNER WHEEL BEARING RACE FROM DRIVE FLANGE .

Fig 2: Installing Drive Flange Using Special Tools

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Remove SWIVEL BEARING and clamp with aluminum clamping jaws in vice.

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

Lift out retaining ring (1).

Fig 3: Lifting 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: Removing Bearing Using Special Tools

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IMPORTANT: Keep press-fit areas clean and free of oil and grease.
Wider chamfer (1) of bearing must point to swivel bearing!

Clean new bearing on press-fit area and bearing seat in swivel bearing.

Fig 5: Identifying Wider Chamfer Of Bearing

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Align bearing by way of wider chamfer to swivel bearing and draw in up to stop 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: Pressing Bearing To Forced Out Of Swivel Bearing

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Install new circlip (1).

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

Fig 7: Installing Circlip

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Draw in wheel hub (1) up to stop with special tools 31 2 113, 33 3 268, 33 3 266 and 33 3 261.

Fig 8: Installing Wheel Hub Using Special Tools

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Install SWIVEL BEARING .

Draw OUTPUT SHAFT INTO WHEEL HUB .

Install front brake disk. See 34 11 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER (TEVES) .

Install front brake calliper. See 34 11 520 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER (BREMBO) .

Replace collar nut, oil collar nut/wheel bearing contact surface only and tighten down.

No oil permitted on thread of shaft journal or collar nut.

Tightening torque 31 21 2AZ .

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

Install front wheel.

Fig 9: Locating Collar Nut

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