Inexpensive Wheel Bearing Solution
Very nice!
05-11-2019, 09:57 AM
#65
Ok, it’s finally go time. I’ve received the spacers and have verified that they fit as designed. I’ve mauled over how to offer these kits and I think I’m going to keep it simple with two offerings with a few options for each.
Economy Kit (pair)
This will include:
Drivestar bearings machined to fit
Spindle spacer and washer
Custom Wheel spacers
New spindle nut
Economy screw in wheel studs or Bimmerworld studs
Price: 350$ shipped in the continental US
390$ shipped with the bimmer world studs
My thoughts are this kit will attract the track rat that has the grip but not the cash and doesn’t mind changing bearings out every now and then when they get noisy. You can buy 5 drivestar bearings for the price of a single SKF/*** unit and I’ve yet to wear one out in 20+ hrs of track time 25 auto-x events and 10k street miles. Main objective is to eliminate the chance of cracked hubs on the car.
Racer Kit (pair)
This will include:
Your choice of Timkin or OEM BMW bearings machined to fit (still looking for a better deal on these)*
Spindle spacer and washer
Custom Wheel spacers
New spindle nut
Shouldered bimmerworld studs
Price: 600$ shipped in the continental US with Timkin bearings
675$ shipped in the continental US with OEM BMW bearings
The objective of this kit is to supply the best parts available for the E30 to ensure that a noisy bearing won’t end a race early. This kit will also have the beefier bimmerworld studs that Cwatson has attested to being a more durable option. Crack prevention of course is ensured as well.
* I’m having a hard time finding a better source for SKF, *** or OEM bearings, seems all the reasonably priced places for the SKF or *** bearings are sold out at the moment. My costs are the same no matter what bearing is selected, just trying to pass the savings on to the consumer.
Spare machined bearings will be priced as:
Drivestar: 27$ Ea. plus shipping
Timkin: 127$ Ea. plus shipping
OEM BWM: 175$ Ea. plus shipping
I have been able to adapt the Miata ABS tone ring to the E30 bearings so please contact me if this is something you need.
This initial offering will be for 10 sets, I’ll need to have a verbal commitment from you as to which kit you want. I’ll order the bearings and studs and try to turn them around in 1-2 weeks with payment being due at time of shipment. Look for the group buy thread in the classifieds.
Economy Kit (pair)
This will include:
Drivestar bearings machined to fit
Spindle spacer and washer
Custom Wheel spacers
New spindle nut
Economy screw in wheel studs or Bimmerworld studs
Price: 350$ shipped in the continental US
390$ shipped with the bimmer world studs
My thoughts are this kit will attract the track rat that has the grip but not the cash and doesn’t mind changing bearings out every now and then when they get noisy. You can buy 5 drivestar bearings for the price of a single SKF/*** unit and I’ve yet to wear one out in 20+ hrs of track time 25 auto-x events and 10k street miles. Main objective is to eliminate the chance of cracked hubs on the car.
Racer Kit (pair)
This will include:
Your choice of Timkin or OEM BMW bearings machined to fit (still looking for a better deal on these)*
Spindle spacer and washer
Custom Wheel spacers
New spindle nut
Shouldered bimmerworld studs
Price: 600$ shipped in the continental US with Timkin bearings
675$ shipped in the continental US with OEM BMW bearings
The objective of this kit is to supply the best parts available for the E30 to ensure that a noisy bearing won’t end a race early. This kit will also have the beefier bimmerworld studs that Cwatson has attested to being a more durable option. Crack prevention of course is ensured as well.
* I’m having a hard time finding a better source for SKF, *** or OEM bearings, seems all the reasonably priced places for the SKF or *** bearings are sold out at the moment. My costs are the same no matter what bearing is selected, just trying to pass the savings on to the consumer.
Spare machined bearings will be priced as:
Drivestar: 27$ Ea. plus shipping
Timkin: 127$ Ea. plus shipping
OEM BWM: 175$ Ea. plus shipping
I have been able to adapt the Miata ABS tone ring to the E30 bearings so please contact me if this is something you need.
This initial offering will be for 10 sets, I’ll need to have a verbal commitment from you as to which kit you want. I’ll order the bearings and studs and try to turn them around in 1-2 weeks with payment being due at time of shipment. Look for the group buy thread in the classifieds.
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Every single order was for the economy bearings and bimmerworld studs, the masses have spoken, that'll be the new base package with options to upgrade the bearings.
05-13-2019, 06:50 PM
#72
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Canberra, sort of
Posts: 1,090
Total Cats: 184
Rather than clutter up the other thread ...
I will need the ABS rings, and I suspect that Lokiel (#12) will too. Not sure what you are think in terms of providing these, but freight will probably rule out eg an exchange program. That leaves DIY or using a local machine shop.
Are you able to provide drawings/info on what is necessary to get the Mazda rings onto the new hubs?
Thanks for all your great work here!!
I will need the ABS rings, and I suspect that Lokiel (#12) will too. Not sure what you are think in terms of providing these, but freight will probably rule out eg an exchange program. That leaves DIY or using a local machine shop.
Are you able to provide drawings/info on what is necessary to get the Mazda rings onto the new hubs?
Thanks for all your great work here!!
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05-14-2019, 09:34 PM
#75
Newb
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 1
Total Cats: 0
Question:
how do the two bearing designs (Miata vs. BMW) compare, and are they located in the same plane in relation to the rotor surface?
that is to say what loads will these bearings see that the miata wont see?
I assume with the year of good testing everything must be good, but that's the only point i see that wasn't addressed (or that i missed)
Thank you for finding another solution, and making it a reality. I hope to have the need for these over the winter
how do the two bearing designs (Miata vs. BMW) compare, and are they located in the same plane in relation to the rotor surface?
that is to say what loads will these bearings see that the miata wont see?
I assume with the year of good testing everything must be good, but that's the only point i see that wasn't addressed (or that i missed)
Thank you for finding another solution, and making it a reality. I hope to have the need for these over the winter
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05-14-2019, 09:50 PM
#76
It's not so much the brake rotor to bearing difference as it is there centerline of the wheel to the centerline of the bearing. BMWs use wheels with less offset, roughly 10-15mm less than a Miata. These adapters space out the wheel roughly the same amount, but when paired with Miata offset wheels the load center is very very close to the same.
The bearings itself is very similar to the Miata in that it's a ball bearing that uses the casting as the outer bearing surface. The BMW bearing are slightly larger, but the main benefit is that the casting is much beefier.
The bearings itself is very similar to the Miata in that it's a ball bearing that uses the casting as the outer bearing surface. The BMW bearing are slightly larger, but the main benefit is that the casting is much beefier.
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