Front Wheel Bearing Replacement

I have a sound coming from my front driver's-side wheel that sounds like a tumbler full of rocks. Someone told me that my bearing is going out.

Does anyone agree with that, and if so, have a link for a 'front bearing replacement' write-up with pics?

Much appreciated!

Google "e39 front suspension overhaul" the first, if not second hit should be a link back to this sight. You need to remove the strut (hence why the reference to the front suspension overhaul) to get to the wheel bearing.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=564549

I did not have to remove my struts..just loosened the bolt clamping it, then pried the spindle down after marking them and it gave me enough room for the socket to fit. Some shocks are different though. Worked good for me. Its pretty easy. Just put in a search on youtube and you will find many of DIY video's.

I just did this tonight. I followed the DIY posted but depending on which strut you have, you may run into an issue.
I also followed this diy because I could not reach the bolts with my type of struts.
http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/t...20bearings.htm
This was my noise and it was the wheel bearing.
http://s764.photobucket.com/albums/x...rent=004-4.mp4

Ok. I know this was a long time ago, but I replaced both bearings back when this post was still young, but it did not resolve the rattling sound at all. Any other ideas? Suspension??? Steering??? I'm at a loss for where this sound is coming from. Anyone else ever heard a sound like this?

Does it happen at slower speeds only or at all speeds? Is it speed dependent?
I'm assuming you removed the rotor when you replaced the bearing. I have seen where a rock got stuck inside a rotor and made a rattling sound like a rock inside a rotor.

I'd be tempted to jack up the front of the car and spin the wheel to isolate it to that particular wheel. Move that wheel/tire to a different corner and see if the noise moves.
A bearing was a good guess. I'm grabbing at straws here.

Typing /bearing F3 in the bestlinks nets this:
- How to diagnose & replace front wheel bearings the easy way (1) & how to replace front wheel bearings the traditional way (1) (2) & as part of a complete suspension overhaul (1)