Front Wheel bearings

[Jono]

I'm currently refurbishing some late Mini hubs to carry out a 7.5" MS disc conversion.

I've discovered they are fitted with ball bearings, which is a surprise as I had assumed they would have taper roller bearings.

Any thoughts on what is best to fit? No competition use intended, this will just be a nice fast road 'fun' Mini with 10 x 4.5 wheels.

I see that 'genuine' Timken bearings are available for just over £50 a side but there are 'non genuine' copies avialable for only £12.50. I've heard tales that even the genuine Timken bearings can be unreliable, are the really 4 times better than the cheap copies!?

Any advice welcome

Cheers, Jon

[Spider]

They should have Tapers in them, but if the Balls are OK, leave them for now.

I've tried most of the aftermarket Tapers and none are any good.

[swifty]

I've found that the cheap mini spares bearings are good bearings as in no play but they seem to be a noisy bearing . .... ken

[colonel mustard]

I got some replacement Timken direct from RS components as they were half the price of mini spares and the like. Worth a look

[Highnumbers]

Some folks here (and other places online) have even suggested thoroughly cleaning and re-using the original taper bearings, provided there is no visible damage. The reasoning is that original OEM bearings are much higher quality than any of the current replacement options.

[Jono]

Thanks for the comments, already knocked the balls and races out in readiness to blast and paint the hubs so I will change them regardless.

....probably try the MS non original tapers, I don't mind a 'noisy' bearing so long as it's running true and not overheating.

I don't yet understand the torquing business with the Mini hubs - on other cars with tapers, it's always been a case of setting some end float on the bearing which often meant shaving the face of the castle nut and sometimes having it barely tightened and relying on the split pin.

I'll no doubt work it out the logic when I get on to building them up (I'm new to Mini swivel hubs)

Cheers for the advice.

Jon