W124 rear hub removal - has anyone done this?
 

Hello,

I am trying to find out how hard it is to removed the rear wheel hub from the carrier on a W124. The factory manual specifies all kinds of fancy pullers and widgets. The Haynes 124 manual says after removing the driveshaft nut, it should tap off, and if not, then a puller may be required. A call to a friend at the dealers says these are a real b*tch and all the techs in the shop hate this job (prerequisite to a wheel bearing replacement.) That doesn't sound good. :(

Has anyone actually done this? Any feedback on the difficulty level, and if a homemade puller can be easily fabricated, if necessary at all?


Thanks!

IF you do remove the hub YOU must replace the wheel bearing as removal of the hub DESTROYS the bearing.

OK - no problem! But how hard is it to get the hub off in the first place?
:confused: :confused:

Scale of 1(easy) to 10, about 9.5 without the correct puller.
Without that tool you will need to remove the COMPLETE hub & have the flange pressed from the bearing. & then the bearing pressed out & then a new one back in. ON installing the flange back into the bearing the inner race MUST be supported or the new bearing will be destroyed as well.

A BMW Tech told me to use an Airhammer
 

Which I did. Reverse the nut to the end of the spindle but leave it on and make sure it completely covers the threads. I think i used a modified jig(the "ball end" of a 3\8 CRAFTSMAN ratchet held againts the end on the spindle while applying pressure via the air hammer) to also aide in preventing damage to the threads. Be very VERY careful, .....F- Up those threads and you're screwed. Find a machine shop and have the new bearings pressed in. While their off you might as well replace the 'notorious" linkage(One of the 5 rear links is notorious for needing to be replaced ~100K mi...)

Definitely not a DIY job! Even with the correct pulling and press-in tools, this job is no picnic. I've done it only about a half dozen times over the years and it was never easy. Let me guess, R/R wheel bearing? The next time I have to do this job I'll remove the carrier assembly ( pretty simple ) and do the hard part at the press. So much for the Haynes manual.