3 replies to this topic

[AustinCooper1967]

Mini 998cc HL

1981

Is it possible to re-grease my existing ball-bearing wheel bearings? (ball bearings are fine with no play)

If so how would I go about safely removing them. I am up as far as removing the hub from the shaft.

Also is it necessary to replace the oil seal at the same time i.e.

http://www.minispare...sic/GHS102.aspx



Lastly is a faulty seal ever likely to cause ingress of oil grease into the brake drum (an issue iam trying to track down to either this or faulty brake cylinder.


Thanks :)

[tiger99]

It is easy to isolate the cause of leakage into the brake drum. Lift each dust cover on the wheel cylinder. It MUST be dry underneath, possibly with some red rubber grease, but no fluid. If it is wet, change the cylinder before driving the car again.

The rear hubs can be regreased any time you wish, but you will need to remove the hub, and the Rover manual says that a new seal is required. The seal will certainly be ruined if the inner bearing inner race remains stuck on the shaft as the outer comes away with the hub, because you willneed to remove it to be able to reassemble everything.

By the way, the grease (Castrol LM) should be in the bearings, worked well in between the balls, and some in the space between, but none in the cap.

[AustinCooper1967]

^^ many thanks for the reply. I will obtain some new seals and cotter pins and LM grease for the wheel bearings.

I am now suspecting a leaking brake cylinder albeit renewed 10 years ago (the car gets little use)

Would a brake cylinder repair kit be acceptable in this instance?

thanks :)

[sonikk4]

It might be ok unless there is any corrosion within the cylinder. If you are going to re grease the bearings then do not use your bare hands. Wear a pair of nitrile gloves to apply the grease. This will prevent any sweat off your hands from contaminating the bearing surfaces and start corroding them. Got taught this by my old RAF instructors and it does happen.