I bought the new 6005 sealed bearings from a local bearing supplier this arvo for $12 a piece. First thing this morning I checked their availability and price with BMW. BMW Australia doesn't stock this part number despite the fact that they fit from '83 through '06 on some models. I suspect it's because people like me don't buy them from BMW and instead get them from the aftermarket. BMW has sold just five of this OEM part number in the past two years in OZ. For over $40 per bearing who would!?
I had the old, tired bearings out and the new bearings knocked back in in about 45 minutes' time. What a difference. It was a cinch with the right tools, but any decent punch and something to centre the bearings with will do. Here's a few pictures of the process:
A hammer and a long enough punch with an edge to it to catch the inner race from the opposite side. The old bearings came out very easily and the new went in like a hot knife through butter. I didn't need to whack 'em into the fridge but it's not a bad idea to 'shrink' them a bit compared against a warmed up hub to enlarge its opening a bit. I didn't have to touch the centre axle sleeve except to get it out of the way after the first bearing was out.
Notice the punch I used has a step at its end? That step was enough to catch the bearing's edge and start it moving. Of course, I'd whack it then move it round a quarter of the way and whack it again to make it come out evenly. Crooked is for politicians and lawyers.
The hub's bore cleaned out and ready for the new rollers.
One of the new bearings ready to be whacked gently in with a bearing tool which seats evenly against the bearing's outer race.
Seating the bearing against the hub, the limits of the tool. The next step remedies this bottoming out.
Stacking the old bearings on top of the new to allow the tool to seat the new bearing against the step.
Driven Home. The finished product.
OG, the factory tools are a generic brand (green box) of some quality, and the price to match. Use what Inge has shown, or a simple punch and Judy will work.