front wheel bearing replacement

[bpattan]

i've pruchased the new bearing assy for my wife's 328is. my only concern is getting the new assy on. i know the job requires a puller to get the old bearing off (and a HUGE 45 mm socket with a 3/4" breaker bar!), but will i need to have the new bearing assy pressed on to the steering stud? will the HUGE 45 mm nut effectively seat the new bearing on the axle? thx, bob in houston.

[winfred]

45mm? what year 328? the e36 takes a 36mm if i remember right, the hub usually pulls right off but sometimes leaves the inner bearing race on the spindle

[bpattan]

yup, 45 mm. it's a '96 328is, built May '96. i have a 36 mm for taking my oil filter cap/cover off. could the "s" have anything to do with such a large nut? any real trouble getting the inner race off? do i need a special press for getting the new assy. on? thx, bob in houston. (p.s., your fix for the drive cables on my power seats was a great help this weekend. thank you for your expertise.)