Wheel bearings?

[MPlayle]

When I added the wheel spacers to the rear of my Mini (unspacered rear drums with front disk brakes), I checked for play in the rear bearings/hubs and repacked the bearings while I had the hubs off to install the longer studs.

I recently noticed a shimmy/vibration apparently from the front (noticeable in the steering wheel) that starts about 65-70 mph.  It is still present after ensuring the wheels are balanced.

Today I went out and did some checking for play in the fronts and found if I grab top & bottom of the wheel and push the top while pulling the bottom style rocking, there is the faintest of play - just barely enough to feel.  It appears to be in the hub as watching the ball joints while doing the rocking shows no movement there, but the movement does appear at the hub.

Is this a sign my front wheel bearings are going to need replacing soon?

If so, I will add that to my list of projects/tasks for during the turbo install.

Edit: The only "play" is the very faint up/down.  There is no in/out play.

[94touring]

Disc brake hubs?  What ft lbs and method did you use to torque them?

[MPlayle]

Yes, the front is disk brake hubs.  I think I last did close to 150 ft-lbs, then to the next slot in the castle nut for the cotter pin.

To hold everything, I usually do it with the transmission in reverse and the engine locked by using my flywheel locking tool through the started hole.

[MiniDave]

I think there is supposed to be absolutely zero play in the front bearings, as that's what the spacer in the middle is for, to set the preload.

But sometimes it's wear in the hub flange that causes it, not the bearings, so you need to look at that closely.

[MPlayle]

Hub flange?  I am having trouble picturing what that is in order to inspect it.

If it is hub flange wear, does that mean new hubs are needed?

[ADRay]

Yes, the front is disk brake hubs.  I think I last did close to 150 ft-lbs, then to the next slot in the castle nut for the cotter pin.

To hold everything, I usually do it with the transmission in reverse and the engine locked by using my flywheel locking tool through the started hole.

Just to clarify, the front bearings are new? Did you do the "torque with flat washer first" procedure? I had to do it to mine after new front bearings.

[MPlayle]

I don't fully remember as it was about 4 years ago when I had the hubs of and redid the ball joints with the "maintenance free" ones.

I may play it safe and replace most of the assemblies - new hubs, bearings, drive flange, ball joints, etc.  I know the brake pads were new when I did the ball joints and they still have lots of pad.  I will likely reuse the calipers, pads, and rotors.  Unless the shafts of the CV joints show obvious wear, they will also likely be reused.

It will be the beginning of November before I can really start taking anything apart to check.

[MPlayle]

Where I am considering the near-full-replacement approach, where would I obtain the correct flat washer for the "torque with flat washer first" procedure?

[MiniDave]

Spares sells them

[ADRay]

Where I am considering the near-full-replacement approach, where would I obtain the correct flat washer for the "torque with flat washer first" procedure?

I was able to find a suitable washer at the local fastener store. Attached is the specs given in the Haynes manual

[MPlayle]

I'll see if I can find a suitable one near me.  If not, I'll add one to the parts list to order from Spares.

[MiniDave]

Here's the spares part number for the washer.....  https://www.minispares.com/tool21-special-washer-for-seating-cv-and-wheel-bearings-s-steel

[MPlayle]

Made a start on the new hubs: I installed the new "shimless" ball joints on the hubs and greased them in preparation for that effort.

I also reviewed my service records and I have NOT had the current hubs apart, so I don't know how old they are.  I did install a set of the "shimless" ball joints in May/June 2023, but that is the only thing I have done to the front hubs.

[MPlayle]

Did a bit more prep work on the hubs today.  I installed the new bearing kits into the new hubs.  I am using genuine Timkin bearing sets and paid special attention to keep the bearings matched to their respective outer races and center spacers.

[MPlayle]

After driving home from an "All British" car show this past weekend, I decided to tackle doing just the front hubs project first.  (I'm also doing some house-hunting to finally get out of an apartment.)

I got the left hub partially disassembled today - enough to get the drive flange off.  I haven't gotten it apart enough to inspect the bearings, but the splines on both the CV joint and the drive flange show obvious wear to even my untrained eyes.

I had hoped to reuse the screws that hold the brake rotor to the drive flange, but one had a stripped head and had to be drilled out.  Once the head was drilled off and the flange and rotor separated the rest easily unscrewed.  I will need to obtain a full set of replacement rotor/drive flange screws, but that is better than having to replace the rotors as well.

[MiniDave]

Congrats on the house hunt - are you looking in the general San Antonio area?

[MPlayle]

Congrats on the house hunt - are you looking in the general San Antonio area?

More or less.  Looking in San Antonio and the surrounding counties in the hill country area.  Finding something affordable is tough though.

[MiniDave]

I'll bet.....