One adult is no match for two kids.

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Resident Tightwad

Screw you, Photobucket.

Can't argue facts.

I will soak up my son wanting to actually go to a car show with me, and my daughter being too young to not not want to go.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.

The front wheel bearings were getting a little noisy so I R&R'd them with BMW units. Even though they were still tight, they were surprisingly crappy sounding when I spun them without the rotor.

While I was in there, I saw the wheels were rubbing slightly on the rear of the fender liner due to the increased scrub radius (spacers) and increased caster the Ground Control top mounts create. I clearanced them at the contact point by heating with a heat gun and pushing in with a welding glove. Also, the fender liners got hit with some SC1 to clean them up a bit.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.

The front wheel bearings didn't completely kill the whirling noise I was experiencing so I decided to do the rears. I also rotated the tires to see if the noise moved. I figure if the noise is still there and doesn't move, I'll move onto the driveshaft center support bearing, which should really be done as PM anyway.

There seems to be a few different ways to R&R these bearings, ranging from removing the whole knuckle in the BMW service Manual to removing the LCA and axles. I don't remember exactly how I did a rear bearing on my 98 528i but the smaller CV tulips definitely didn't shroud the E12 bolts as much. I did find the 1/4" E12 I bought for that job but didn't end up needing it.

I was able to get to all wheel bearing bolts by pushing the axle through the hub with a 3-jaw puller, while ensuring the shaft still had play, then removing the bottom integral link bolt which connects the hub carrier to the LCA. I left the LCAs in place and axles attached at the diff. It was tight but when the tulip was loose, you could move it out of the way enough to get a 3/8" E12 socket in on the harder top aft bolts with a wobble extension.

I chose a 'value line kit' BMW offers, first I ever saw this, which has the bolt on assembly, hub bolts, 1 of 2 rotor bolts, caliper bracket bolts and axle nut. The hubs were re-used since adding another $360 to this wasn't necessary. I've battled a few inner races before, which usually involved grinding a slit to crack it open or slits for a puller to bite. Recently I've seen a few videos of folks spinning hubs, flange side up and heating the inner race until it falls off. I gave it a shot using a drill, drill bit and socket to center the hub, and a MAP gas torch. I've had luck that doesn't make sense with MAP gas before but not this time. It definitely wasn't enough. With an oxy acetylene torch on a lower setting it came right off.

The only other thing to note was even though I cleaned the hub and axle splines with a wire brush, brake clean, and lubed with PB blaster, the axle didn't want to slide through the hub easily. I ended up having a buddy hold and push the axle shaft outboard while I tapped on a 36mm 12pt socket held against where the axle comes through the hub. This worked the axle through enough to thread the nut on.

The car feels smoother but it was hard for me to tell if the noise went away or moved. Either way, 2 less things to worry about.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.

I'm still not 100% sure what exactly happened with the noise, if it moved or is just less or what. Either way I racked on 850 trouble free miles this past week driving to/from OBX. The wife, kids and I rented a small beach house in Buxton, a few properties from the beach. This is our third summer making our way down there.

_________________

95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.