47 replies to this topic

[M700FGT]

Hi All,

 

last week my 1997 Mini Copper mpi wheel bearing collapsed on the drivers side while on my way to work.

 

It was fitted back in Feb 2018 and purchased from Mini Spares. The AA guy said the bolt with the split pin was loose, but that the bearing had completely collapsed. So might be loose because of that. 

 

I know i running big 13s which I'm not planning to change, and i was told that it will ware the bearings quicker, but i expected to get more than 10 months use (Less then 1000 miles) 

 

I couple of people on facebook told me i was wrong to buy them from Mini Spares and that i probably got some knock off (which i doubt). I was then told i probably brought cheap quality etc etc. 

 

The bearing was the GHK1140 Timken.

 

I now need to replace this and have been told to replace both at the same time even though the passengers side was also only done in Feb.

 

What should i be buying?

 

Any help or advise would be appreciated. 

 

Marc 

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[nicklouse]

sounds like incorrect fitment or parts used in the reassembly were not checked.

 

wheels have no effect.

 

no need to change the other.

 

and just get the same GHK1140 Timken and fit and torque it correctly. and check the condition of the taper washer and make sure the races are fully seated.

[Spider]

I'd say they were PACKED with Grease, that will make for very short bearing life.

 

This is not a 'How To' but there are some hints and tips. Even if you don't do them yourself, I'd suggest steering who ever does do them for you to have a read of this;-

 

http://www.theminifo...wheel-bearings/

[pete l]

Why would too much grease make a TIMKEN bearing fail in less than 1000 miles on a short trip to work ????

[andyapanel]

I had the same on my Racing Green a few years ago. I could not afford Timkens twice, and fitted a cheaper alternative; no problems since.

I have fitted a lot of bearings in my life and I am certain these were a bad batch, not poor fitting by me.

[Spider]

Why would too much grease make a TIMKEN bearing fail in less than 1000 miles on a short trip to work ????

 

It causes them to over heat and in short order. I've seen them burn out in less than 10 miles from being PACKED with grease.

 

Not just Timkens, but any bearing.

 

1/3 to 1/2 at most.

 

Have a read of Timken's info in the link ^

[pete l]

Just read it all, thanks for all the info, i should have read it before asking the question, sorry.

[Steve220]

It maybe worth sending the bearings to Timken to make 100% sure they aren't fake! It wouldn't be minispares fault, they have leaked into the system well!

[mini13]

Also you need to check the drive flange and CV for wear, any signs and thenut will keep losening, in which case you need to replace the CV flange and conical washer.

[ryomini]

I feel for you - had the same at 5.00 in the morning top of a mountain, I think the castelated nut can back off a little causing severe damage to the bearing - if not adjusted in time equals failure - I got mine done at the garage by a mini specialist.

usually some tell tale noises will help you to catch it before catastrophe !

[leyland73]

Got to be either incorrect fitting or fake, my 74 Clubman has 84k on the clock, I covered 50k of these miles in 6 yrs, still haven’t needed to change a wheel bearing. Good advice given to contact the manufacturer to check their authenticity.

[Rorf]

My experience with the minispares cheaper bearings; I installed the rear left bearings and when I starting torqueing up the nut the hub started to stiffen up so I thought maybe the hub centre retainer was worn. I then replaced the right hand side and torqued up to 80Nm and it was absolutely perfect. Ah ha so now I thought let me experiment a little bit - I removed only the inner bearings from the right hub and installed them in the left hand hub and lo and behold after torqueing to 80Nm the hub turned perfectly.

 

Conclusion - the one set of bearings which would be the inner extension part of the inner race is not identically machined to the others and is probably a 1 in a 1000 dud.

 

I know I know but for the price  much cheaper than Timkens but as it is with our crappy Rand this car is costing me a small fortune in the rebuild and the car will probably only do a 1000kms a year if that    

 

The front hubs with the cheaper minispares bearings - one side perfect the other side slight play so will have to skim the spacer down a little. Otherwise I am impressed with these bearings, the outer races where nice and tight in the old hubs. When I stripped the hubs there was not one identical bearing manufacturer there, SKF, FAG etc from a combination of bush mechanics (self included) over the last 30 years of ownership and I might add 3 kids did their licenses in the car and the wife drove it for 15 of those years.

 

I might add that I have had plenty of experience over the last 50 years or so with boat trailers, normal trailers, car bearings etc but until I joined this forum I knew nothing about Classic Mini wheel bearings - thank you fellow forum members especially old Moke Spider

Edited by Rorf, 10 January 2019 - 12:39 PM.

[M700FGT]

Hi all,

 

Im so sorry for the late reply - work am family keeping me busy.

 

It turned out the bearing i originally brought came from Mini Sport - so i called them. They confirmed they have an account directly with Timken, so no chance of a fake. They did say they were the best of the market, and although my wheels would add extra strain, the Timken's could easily take it and should last for years.

 

Warranty seemed a bit of an issue, as they are not keen on taking things back. I did say that after it was removed i would send them some pictures and discuss it with them. I didn't want to argue to much without getting the old bearing off first.

 

The new one is not due to arrive for another week, so i will give an update then. 

 

As i know my front callipers were were also getting dicey, i decided it was time to replace them, so will fit them at the same time. 

 

Thanks for all the replies so far on this. 

[nicklouse]

ahhh the joys of Minisport.

 

take pictures of the new one before you fit it.

[M700FGT]

ahhh the joys of Minisport.

 

take pictures of the new one before you fit it.

 

Will do.

 

Im finding they are all as bad as each other