E34 wheel-bearing cost?

[maximus]

Hi fellow fanatics!

I've been hearing these low rumble/whirls while driving at low speeds coming from the wheels more or less...sometimes it sounds like a low pitched vacuum... after reading a few forum threads, it looks like my wheel bearings
need replacing.

Any idea how much a complete wheel bearing for a E34 '92 525i non-vanos will cost?

I've read on other forums that with my car, you have to change the entire
unit. The car's already done some 222 000 km's and I believe we've never changed them.... oh and by the way, do you need to do wheel alignments after fitting new bearings?

*will be replacing all four bearings.

Maximus :rollsmile:

 

[rick540]

What you are describing Sounds more like tire rumble, I have yet to see a failed wheel bearing on an E34.

If it is bearings, the bearings themselves are quite cheap, it's getting the little bastards fitted that's a mission straight from Hell.

 

[maximus]

maybe at the next breakfast run, can you help check it out please? or just give it a listen.

 

[Philip Foglar]

I was going to say it could be tyre related, but thought I'd wait until Rick sees your thread. Maybe swap the wheels front to rear to see if the noise changes or moves. Does it do this while cornering or in general?

 

[maximus]

I swapped the wheels already (back to front,vice versa)... it has new wheels at the back now.

Only at low speed i.e. 10-40kph.

Both (straight/cornering)

 

[Philip Foglar]

Hmm, I know that usually noises at these sort of low speeds tend to be tyre noises. How long have you been noticing these noises?

 

[maximus]

pretty much ever since Ive started driving the car :?

 

[Philip Foglar]

pretty much ever since Ive started driving the car :?

Okay, then it's less likely the tyres. Getting back to your original question, I would think the wheel bearings aren't too expensive, but the labour to have them fitted is where things get costly.

 

[Raybimmer]

Easiest test is to drive around a bend and listen for the noise . If you are turning left and the noise is there it is the right hand bearings making the noise under the increased load when cornering . left side can be checked same way .
If you jack the car up and grab the wheel at the six and twelve o'clock positions and rock it there should be no play in the vertical plane . play indicates a loose or worn bearing .
Maybe you can swop wheels with someone and see if their tyres sound the same on your car .
Good luck .

 

[Sankekur]

Easiest test is to drive around a bend and listen for the noise . If you are turning left and the noise is there it is the right hand bearings making the noise under the increased load when cornering . left side can be checked same way .
If you jack the car up and grab the wheel at the six and twelve o'clock positions and rock it there should be no play in the vertical plane . play indicates a loose or worn bearing .
Maybe you can swop wheels with someone and see if their tyres sound the same on your car .
Good luck .

+1