Re: 89 750iL - troubleshooting - noise from rear (archive)

Wheel bearing R & R do require pullers and a press. You can buy what you need from NAPA or any industrial bearing supply house. They carry OTC brand who is the mfg for SNAP ON at 1/2 price. Or you can rent them from Rental tool companies. Pullers tend to be expensive in the sense you'll only use it once maybe twice. You'll need access to a hydraulic press and a bearing bushing kit or homemade bushings to install the wheel bearings. While pressing never apply force through the balls or you'll dent the races. If you have no choice then always rotate the bearing several times to use different spots so one place doesn't take all the punishment. Make sure the bearings are sealed NOT shielded on both sides. Shielded bearings don't retain grease like sealed bearings. Price bearings from those same supply houses, don't be fooled by anyone telling you BMW oem bearings are better than SKF, FAFNIR, FAG, TORRINGTON, or MRC brand. They will all be rated ABEC 3 (electric motor grade)

If you know your CV is bad, kill it first. IMHO replace all the CV joints. Why? because they all have had the same time in service. If one is bad perhaps another is ready to go soon. Don't wait until it's broke to fix it, preventive maintenance. Please let us know how it turns out. Best of luck to you!

Guy Simpson
92 750iL

Hi all!

My car has a noise from the rear which I have to troubleshoot as it is beginning to drive me crazy! Perhaps somone can help me by providing a logical troubleshooting sequence. The noise seems to occur with each revolution of the wheels (although this could be my imagination). It also causes a vibration which can be felt at all speeds.

I have considered that it might be a wheel bearing but the local shop told me that they have never seen a bad rear wheel bearing on an E32! I know I have at least one bad CV joint in the rear as I can hear it knock at take off and "landing." Could a CV joint cause vibration/noise all the time?

The car has not been in an accident, and the sound/vibration is getting progressively worse.

Also, what is the general concensus regarding replacing CV joints? Is it appropriate to replace just the bad one? Both joints on the affected side? All four? Please let me know your thoughts.

If it is s wheel bearing, do I have to spend $$$$ on a special puller/press or can someone recommend a generic tool/process?

To summarize, I would like a logical sequence to help me to troubleshoot the rear end noise and your inoput regarding replacing CV joints and whether I need to spend money on exotic tools if it turns out to be a wheel bearing.

Thank you all so much for your help. I'll let you know what I find out.

Andy.

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