E21 Project Thread - Part 2

[Bassboy3313]

Forgot to post last weekend, but I began tearing down the rear euro trailing arms to replace the wheel bearings while I had everything off the car. Well, the axle nuts proved to be a PITA for any of my hand tools and/or air impact guns, So I summoned the help of Brain (Snap) with his massive electric impact gun. With some heat, pounding with a mini sledge and the electric impact, the axle nuts proved no match. Ordered new axle nuts and cotter pins. Now the fun begins with replacing the inner & outer bearings/seals on both trailing arms.

[YoungCR]

whats different about the trailing arms on euro models?

[B C]

Harambe doesn't like drum brakes

[Bassboy3313]

YoungCR said:

whats different about the trailing arms on euro models?

larger wheel bearings and disc brakes

[straight6pwr]

disc brake upgrade, nice.

its a good thing an e21 rear axle nuts have cotter pins. brian would have gotten confused by lock plates.

[KaiserRolls]

straight6pwr said:

disc brake upgrade, nice.

its a good thing an e21 rear axle nuts have cotter pins. brian would have gotten confused by lock plates.

lol

[Bassboy3313]

So, finding the wheel bearings for these euro trailing arms are near impossible unless you wanna spend $100 each times 4 bearings. Yeah, no! So I researched and found all the correct sizes and ordered some locally. I quickly found out after removing the old ones and pressing in the inner bearing that the company I got them from sent me the wrong size. Axle wouldn't go back in. Back story is, mibearings.com listed an SKF bearing at the correct size (which is what I ordered). Well apparently the fine print says that they may send a Timken bearing that is an equivalent to the SKF bearing instead depending what's in stock at the time. Well, they sent the Timken. The Timken is 28mm ID and the SKF that this timken is supposedly an equivalent for is 30mm (which is what I need). Doesn't sound equivalent to me.

So now I'll have to wait till they open tomorrow and give them a call and get this squared away before I can finish those up.

For the time being, I ended up making a secondary diff mount for way cheaper than any place was selling them for. I think it turned out nice. Just gotta get it over to Zack for some powdercoating to match the diff cover and press in the poly bushing.

I also got the relay I've been waiting a month for to finish the hazard switch circuit for my hvac gauge cluster. It did the trick, so next is installing that in the car. As well as installing the crosshair headlights and single grilles.

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[Jdesign]

That does look nice. Its a shame that someone would think 28mm is the same as 30mm. I guess they were assuming that you are working on something with the tolerances of a 90's GM body panel.

[patsbimmer1]

[Bassboy3313]

Exactly! I called 123bearing.com, can't get them for another month or so. I called motion industries, can't even find the right size in their entire computer system. I called mibearings.com, they are at least letting me return the wrong bearings for a refund. So, best I could find is throigh blunttech. He found 2 in the US for $66ea. Just gotta bite the bullet and order them I guess.

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[wasnt m3]

Did you happen to try Bearings Inc? Worth a shot to try somewhere local.

[Bassboy3313]

The deed has been done. I ordered with blunttech already. I'll keep them in mind for next time tho

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[wasnt m3]

If you still need a couple more, they might be able to match something up for you.

[Bassboy3313]

Aaaaaand blunt just said bmw screwed up and there aren't any in the states. Maybe I'll contact bearings,Inc afterall

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[Jdesign]

LOL. Man that sounds really annoying, I have been there, and I feel your pain.

[Bassboy3313]

Doesn't look like bearings Inc can get it either. Gahh!!!

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[need4speed1299]

Is the part number 3341111431? If so, its a 28x58x16 bearing. 

Diagram-

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E21/USA/320i-M10/1981/browse/rear_axle/side_shaft_wheel_bearings/

If its a 30x58x16 though I believe the part number is 33411119994.

[Bassboy3313]

The one you linked is for a 320i, not a 323i. And yes, I've already had the part number from realoem for awhile now. [emoji14]

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[need4speed1299]

Dang.

[B C]

You saved some cash getting the outer bearings from an industrial supplier, I think you are destined to pay full price from an auto supplier/dealer for the inners though