what are the chances I can reuse my rear bearings and seals?

[76bimmer]

2002 FAQ,

I am in the process of repacking my rear wheel bearings on my 76 2002. The guys in this forum helped me get to the point wher I am ready to pry out the seals with a big screw driver. Can I expect to reuse the seals? A more reasonable question: Can I expect to reuse the bearings? What has been your experience? Pleae advise. Thank you.

76bimmer

gas oil and go

[jerry]

FWIW, i work in the aeroengine overhaul business and we do not throw away bearings on a time limit.

i have inspected several sets of 02 wheel bearings and have only scrapped 2 or so for cause.

clean them thoroughly and inspect the balls for condition. look for spalls, scoring on the balls and races. use good light and perhaps a 3X magnifier. they really are robust. pack them in grease by slapping them against your grease-filled palm and working the grease into the nooks and crannies.

do not reuse the seals.

[tjones02]

I do not reuse rear wheel bearings after removal. Not on my own or my customer's '02s. They take too much of a beating during removal to dream of reusing!

Take two of these and......rear wheel bearing kits... #33 41 1 108 408.... call us in the morning.

If you do decide to change the bearings yourself then Please do take the measurements and buy the correct spacer ring... many sizes are still available. Use http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/ to look up the sizes and part numbers.

Here's the picture/diagram that C.D.iesel would post.... if I didn't do it first...

HTH

[wegweiser]

I'm with TJones on this one. I've seen them last 30+ years with well over 200K miles - but if I'm in there that deep - I'm not gonna reinstall an original / old set. No way. I think they're pretty reasonably priced also - though my last set was bought 6-8 years ago. (and installed 3 yrs ago).

I make sure to reinstall the existing shims in the order in which they were originally installed. Thus far - every set I've done was spot on ie: within factory spec. I think the shims are to accomodate for trailing arm manufacturing variations, more than wear or bearing variances. DO measure accordingly to be sure, however!

HTH

Paul Wegweiser

[c.d.iesel]

.....and to answer the original ?'s =

No, No, No, and No.

All New bits .

[TobyB]

Depends on how much fun you had doing it in the first place...

If it was a blast, then sure, reuse the seals so you can do it again in a

few weeks.

If it didn't suck, and you wouldn't mind maybe having to redo one at

some unknown time on down the road,

you could clean and repack the bearings. To save maybe $30 a side...

If it really wasn't fun, and you really don't want to go back in there,

use new bearings, too...

I've reused them before, with moderate success. Now I don't anymore

because my time is worth something, too...

t