BMW M3 E30 Front wheel bearing replacement

My passenger side wheel started to keep some grinding noise and it was time to look into replacing the bearing. Video below shows the noise compared to new one.

OEM M3 bearings are very expensive, but luckily there is a cheaper alternative, bearing from E28 M5. Only difference between E28 M5 and E30 M3 bearing is the ABS ring, which can be swapped very easily. You can save over $100 easily by using the E28 M5 bearing. Code for the part is: 31211468753. I got mine from Turner Motorsports

Tools needed:
- Most important tool is a proper 3-leg puller.
- Large socket. I used 1 13/16” socket since could not find the metric one.
- Safety goggles


ABS ring removal from the new bearing:
- Use puller to pull out the rings as shown in the picture. With proper puller it comes out very easily.
- Put the new bearing into freezer. Consult your spouse first... This makes the installation of the old ABS ring easier

Old bearing removal:
- Loosen the front wheel bolts
- Jack up the car and put the car on jack stands
- Remove the wheel
- Remove the dust cap
- Loosen the axle nut. A long breaker bar might be needed since nut is tight. Before standing on the breaker bar, make sure car is securely on the stands!.
- Remove the brake caliber and hang it from the coil springs.
- Remove the brake disc
- Remove the brake shield
- Remove the axle nut now completely
- Use the puller to pull out the bearing. Bearing will most likely fall apart now and other half will stay in the axle. Use a bearing puller to pull it out. If you don’t have one, you might try to cut it in half using Dremel or similar grinder.

Removal of the old ABS ring from the old bearing:
- Note how deep the ring is on the hub. I measured it with caliber and it was 7.7mm from the ring edge to the bearing.
- Use puller to pull it out as you did with the new bearing.
- Wash the ring

Installation of the old ring into new bearing:
- To make installation even easier, you can heat it up in the oven. I didn’t do it though…
- Take the new bearing from the freezer and install it into a vise
- Tap the ring evenly on the bearing.
- Measure the depth as before to set it to 7.7mm, measure it from 4 opposite locations to make sure it is straight.
- Now heat the bearing up, take it to sun for example

Installation of the new bearing into the axle:
- Install the brake dust shield first. Important since if you do not do this before installing the bearing, there is no way to install it without removing the bearing first…
- Tap the bearing evenly into the axle. You can use a proper size socket to drive the bearing in. Force can be used here if needed.
- After axle threads are visible, you can use the NEW nut to drive the bearing in place.
- Tighten the axle nut and secure it
- Take a new dust cap, put some axle grease into it and install it.
- Install the brake disc and caliber
- Install the wheel
- Remove the jack stands
- Torque the wheel nuts

That’s all there is to it, simple. Test drive and make sure brakes and ABS works properly. Enjoy the silence.