Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 520i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525tds, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 523i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 528i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 540i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 535i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 td, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 535i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 520 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 520 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 530 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 520i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 520 i … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front wheel bearing / front hub bearing on BMW 520i (E39) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Wheel bearing kit

Replacement: wheel bearing – BMW E39. Tools you need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      All-purpose cleaning spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      HEX bit no.H6.
                    
                      HEX bit no.H7.
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Impact screwdriver
                    
                      Rubber mallet
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: wheel bearing – BMW E39. AUTODOC experts recommend:

Do not re-use the bearing assembly of your BMW E39 car.
The wheel hub bearing replacement procedure is identical for both wheels on the same axle.
Warning! Shut down the engine before starting any work – BMW E39.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 3

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: wheel bearing – BMW E39. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Remove the dust boot caps of the brake caliper guide pins. Use a crowbar.
Step 7

Unscrew the brake caliper fastening. Use HEX No.H7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 8

Spread the brake pads. Use a crowbar.
Step 9

Detach the brake caliper retaining spring. Use a crowbar.
Step 10

Remove the brake caliper.

Replacement: wheel bearing – BMW E39. AUTODOC recommends:
Tie the caliper to the suspension or to the body with a wire without disconnecting from the brake hose to prevent depressurization of the brake system.Make sure that the brake caliper is not hanging on the brake hose.Don't press the brake pedal after the brake caliper has been removed. As a result, the piston can fall out from the brake cylinder, and brake fluid leakage and depressurization of the system may occur. Check the brake caliper bracket, brake caliper guide pins and boots. Clean them. Replace, if necessary.
Step 11

Remove the brake pads.
Step 12

Clean the brake caliper bracket fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 13

Unscrew the caliper bracket fastening. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 14

Remove the caliper bracket.
Step 15

Clean the brake disc fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 16

Unscrew the brake disc fastening. Use HEX No.H6. Use an impact screwdriver.
Step 17

Remove the brake disc.

Replacement: wheel bearing – BMW E39. Tip:
If necessary, use a rubber mallet.
Step 18

Clean the wheel hub fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 19

Unscrew the wheel hub axle nut. Use a combination spanner #18.
Step 20

Remove the hub and the bearing together, since they are a sealed unit. Use a hammer.
Step 21

Clean the hub bearing mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 22

Install the new wheel hub with a bearing.
Step 23

Tighten the hub. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.

Replacement: wheel bearing – BMW E39. Tip from AUTODOC:
The wheel bearing unit must not tilt on the axle pin.
Step 24

Treat the hub where it contacts the brake disk. Use copper grease.
Step 25

Install the brake disc.
Step 26

Tighten the brake disc fastening. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 16 Nm torque.
Step 27

Clean the brake caliper bracket from dirt and dust. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: wheel bearing – BMW E39. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 28

Install the brake caliper bracket.
Step 29

Tighten the brake caliper bracket. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.
Step 30

Install the brake pads.
Step 31

Install the brake caliper and fix it. Use HEX No.H7. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 30 Nm torque.
Step 32

Install the dust boot caps of the brake caliper guide pins.
Step 33

Install the brake caliper retaining spring.
Step 34

Treat the fasteners of the wheel hub bearing. Use copper grease.
Step 35

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 36

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: wheel bearing – BMW E39. Tip from AUTODOC:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 37

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW E39
Step 38

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 39

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E39 – Without starting the engine, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
Step 40

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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