Rear brake back plates.

[Steve Medlock]

I finally got around to replacing my rusty horrible back plates. Over several months (!) I collected parts, back plates, FAG bearings etc. and tools, slide hammer, bearing pullers, shaft puller etc etc and then waited for some decent weather.

The drive shaft was disconnected from the diff, hub nut removed and driven back out of the hub. With ARB and shock disconnected it was still a fiddle to get it clear.

The slide hammer pulls the hub from the bearing.....(eventually after it seems like its never going to move)

The remains of the bearing can then be removed from the hub. Laser tool not great but did the job.

The main part of the bearing can then be pulled. (accompanied by a high degree of grunting and groaning)

At last the horrible back plate can be removed!

New back plate is fitted and new FAG bearing pressed in place and big circlip fitted.

Now is the easiest time to re-install the handbrake.

The hub is pressed back into the bearing.

The drive shaft can then be replaced. One went in quite easily but the other one, I couldn't have done without the shaft puller kit which makes it a straight forward job.

Looks easy doesn't it. Maybe but it took me the best part of two days each side!

 

[SV8Predator]

Laser tool not great but did the job.

What was wrong with the Laser tool? And what brand is the kit in the red box?

 

[Steve Medlock]

Shaft puller:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07N2SLQY2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1



Circlip pliers:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002YYMDA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1



Bearing kit:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bearing-Re...952&sprefix=bearing+puller+kit,aps,70&sr=8-29

The Laser tool was a bit soft and the bolts bent but it did do the job and is still usable.

 

[Steve Medlock]

Cockups:

1. On the first side I forgot to release the ARB and pulled it out of the bracket.

2. The bearings came with nice 12 point nuts and I bought a socket to match before realising that the nuts were the wrong size for the drive shaft.

 

[t-tony]

Glad to see you've made progress Steve. Bag o' rats about the nuts and new socket though.

Tony.

 

[SV8Predator]

Great info on the tools there Steve. What was the part number of the Laser tool?

 

[Jack Ratt]

PAIR OF Rear Brake Disc Backing Plates / Covers for BMW Z3 E36 - NEW 34211162061 7061116602291 | eBay

I bought these cheapies. I was a bit apprehensive at first but I was pleasantly surprised when they were delivered. Excellent value

 

[Jack Ratt]

PAIR OF Rear Brake Disc Backing Plates / Covers for BMW Z3 E36 - NEW 34211162061 7061116602291 | eBay

I bought these cheapies. I was a bit apprehensive at first but I was pleasantly surprised when they were delivered. Excellent value

 

[Steve Medlock]

I was forgetting that I actually fell at the first fence on this job. The drive shaft to diff connection is by Torx headed bolts. I had plenty of Torx bits but no Torx sockets and so had to stop work and drive to Halfords.

 

[Steve Medlock]

Great info on the tools there Steve. What was the part number of the Laser tool?

This one is only just big enough though....

 

[DrWong]

Thanks for posting this how to @Steve Medlock . Very useful to know backplates are doable at home with the right tools and some patience etc. Will be coming back to this in due course