Mini Magazine - Summer 2018

Tech
Mini
TECH
Mini
TECH
The essentials for keeping
your Mini on the road.
85 ASK THE EXPERT
Our tech experts answer all your
Mini technical queries.
88 PRODUCTS
The latest selection of parts and
goodies to lavish upon your Mini.
91 WORKSHOP
In Part Three of our handling series we
look at tracking and how you can
adjust your Mini’s suspension.
96 OUR MINIS
The latest from our fleet, this time
featuring Jeroen, Stephen and Neil.
BEFORE
STARTING
The first rule of working on cars
and using tools of any kind is
don’t be stupid. Make sure
personal protective gear –
goggles, gloves, ear defenders,
masks and a set of overalls - are
hanging on a hook in your garage
and use them wisely.
If you’re working with power
tools, protective gear is essential.
Never attempt to work under a
car without supporting it securely
using suitably strong axle stands.
If you haven’t got a fire
extinguisher, buy one and keep it
near to hand. The bottom line? If
you’re not completely confident
of your own ability to complete
any task safely, don’t even start it.
Leave it to the experts.
76
Words and Photography Alex Kinsman
FRONT
REPLACE REPLACE FRONT
WHEEL BEARINGS BEARINGS
WHEEL
Noticing some knocking or droning noise? Save on garage
bills and replace that grumbling wheel bearing yourself.
If the recent IMM in Portugal has taught
us anything, it’s that front wheel bearing
failure is common! And with this is
mind, we thought it would be a good time
to look at how to do the job properly on an
8.4-inch disc brake-equipped Mini.
The first thing you will probably notice
when your bearings are on the way out is a
knocking noise whilst cornering, or a
droning noise. If you suspect them to be at
fault, then jack your car up and support it
safely on axle stands. Then grasp the wheel
top and bottom to feel for any play,
observing the ball joints to ensure they are
free from play. If any movement is detected
in the bearings, it’s better to do the job now
than when stranded on a muddy campsite!
Fortunately, replacement is relatively easy
providing you have access to the correct
tools. Other than the usual spanners and
sockets, you will need a torque wrench that
can reach up to 200lb ft, a bench vice or
similar to support the hub and a drift to
knock the races in and out again. New taper
roller bearing kits are available from Mini
specialists from as little as around £13 – be
sure to state drum or disc brake hubs when
ordering, as the bearings are different.
TIME
Allow two hours per side
COST
Bearing kit for one wheel
from around £13
DIFFICULTY
Original spec bearings usually have
Timken stamped on the inner race, and
command a premium price. Whether or
not you need these depends on your usage
– if you’re driving halfway across Europe or
using the car daily, we’d recommend them.
However, if you’re using your Mini more
sparingly, non-genuine items could last for
years providing they are halfway decent.
For this feature we have concentrated on
the taper roller bearings commonly fitted to
Minis with 7.5-inch and 8.4-inch discs.
Minis with 7-inch discs and drum brakes
were fitted with ball-bearing-type wheel
bearings instead. When fitting bearings to
drum brake models you will need to take
note of these exceptions: when removing the
swivel hub you will need to clamp the flexible
brake pipe and unscrew it from the brake
cylinder, as the entire unit needs to come off
the car in one go. Once off the car you will
need to knock out the drive flange from the
swivel hub then remove the brake backplate
by undoing the four retaining bolts. The rest
of the procedure is similar, although the hub
nut will only need to be torqued to 60lb ft.
Here’s the process on an 8.4-inch discequipped
car in full.