14 replies to this topic

[callumgordon]

Hi,
Ive just fitted some new wheel bearings on the back of my mini and when I tighten the nut up the hub doesnt spin and is very tight to move. when i loosen the nut off the hub then spins. Any sugestions to what this could be? I have the radius arm on the bench and not in the subframe as I am doing a rebuild.
Thanks!:)

[OfMini&Men]

Removed due incorrect reply. sorry

Edited by OfMini&Men, 08 February 2013 - 03:15 PM.

[callumgordon]

I did it to 60lbft which is what I found on the internet?

[tiger99]

The advice you were given above is completely incorrect and dangerous. Mini hubs are non-adjustable, and what you are doing by torquing up tightly is correct. It should still rotate freely.

There is in many cases a spacer between the bearings, and if this is missing, they will lock up solid when tightened. The spacer and bearings are a matched set, and there should be a new spacer in the bearing kit, which must be used. The alternative type of bearing has the inner races protruding, so don't need the seperate spacer, and again they are made as a set, and parts must not be interchanged.

Unfortunately, if you torqued up without the spacer, your new bearings have been ruined.

[JustSteve]

Listen to the above. Couldn't be said any better really.


What method did you use to press the bearing race's into the hub?

[ado15]

We have stumbled across some bearing makes that lock up like this. It might be dodgy replacement bearings.


........ hope they weren't from us!!

[Croker]

Most new bearings have a built in spacer. However some of the after market ones haven't been mechined to the right size and cause the hub to lock up when torqued up. Just like you describe.

It can be solved either by fitting genuine bearings or shimming the aftermarket ones.

But as said above. Don't just loosen the hub nut!

Where did you get them form, are they ball bearing or roller type and how much did you pay?

Edited by Croker, 08 February 2013 - 03:14 PM.

[OfMini&Men]

I stand corrected I shall apollise for that mistake.

[callumgordon]

The bearings are roller type and cost £12.50 each from a Mini shop near me. as soon as i start to tighten the nut the hub locks up, evan at 15lbft the hub doesnt turn.
Ive just phoned the shop and he said that when they fit wheel bearings 'they dont torque them up,instead just put a little nick on the nut' but I carnt evan do that because as soon as it starts to tighten the hub locks.

[mike.]

I recently had the same problem with some non genuine bearings I bought, even a slight nip on the nut and they went tight.

The bearings are faulty and the shop should return them.

The shop I got mine from gave me another set of non genuine bearings from a different manufacturer and they worked fine. There must of been a faulty batch as I have never had a problem with non genuine parts before.

[tiger99]

The guy in the shop is a dangerous incompetent who will end up killing someone. He is also supplying defective goods, probably Chinese counterfeits of the genuine article. Don't listen to him, and I suggest that you take your business elsewhere in future. If it were me, I would report him to Trading Standards.

[midridge2]

http://www.minimania...ller_to_tapered
worth a read

[callumgordon]

How freely should the hub spin?, should it be torqued up because ive been told and read on the internet different things, I think its probaly a faulty batch and im going to see what the man says tomorrow. Hope it can be sorted as im wanting to finish the subframe this weekend. Thanks for youre replys everyone!:)

[tiger99]

In midridge2's link some of the advice there is just plain wrong, such as the idiot who thinks that you can fit bearing inners and outers seperately. They always come as matched sets and must bever be mixed. The only thing that is standard is the external dimensions.

The hub should spun freely, with just the tiniest hint of end float. There must be no preload on the bearings.

Edited by tiger99, 08 February 2013 - 10:26 PM.

[midridge2]

Can't tell you how the bearing set was 'mismastched' because the work was done by a Mini specialist shop after we left Australia.

I dont think it proves it was miss matched just because of what he has said.