997/998 FRONT WHEEL BEARING

[SMOKE GREY]

Putting together a set of 7 inch brakes. Got a pair of excellent drive flanges but got an issue with them fitting through the new wheel bearings. Never had this problem before, can anyone recommend a source for some suitable wheel bearings?

[Dearg1275]

I had this problem and ditched the ball bearing type and went with Timken roller bearings. No problem at all with those. The drive flanges seemed good, a genuine (OLD) RHP bearing fitted fine but the currently available equivalents would not go on.

Convert to Timken.

D

[Daz1968]

I also fitted nos timken on my 998 cooper, no issues with good used drive flanges, hopefully will be a better long term prospect than the new ball races available now.

[Thorp]

Chaps, which Timken bearings can you swap for? S type?

Thanks

[Dearg1275]

Chaps, which Timken bearings can you swap for? S type?

Thanks

Yep,S type completely interchangeable, but use the Cooper torque values unless you want to experiment.

D

[Thorp]

Great, thank you. Now to have a rummage for some bearings!

[Dearg1275]

Great, thank you. Now to have a rummage for some bearings!

You will need the S spacer that belongs with the S bearings. NOT the small bore bearing spacer.

D

[SMOKE GREY]

Well using genuine Timken bearings have proved to fit the flanges! Genuine quality parts are they only way it seems.

[bwaminispeed]

Wheel bearing spacer is same Cooper, S, or, standard Mini.......same as the bearings......ID is the same on drum or disc brakes....

[Dearg1275]

Wheel bearing spacer is same Cooper, S, or, standard Mini.......same as the bearings......ID is the same on drum or disc brakes....

The Timken bearings come with the spacer as a matched set. The spacers do vary in size and are scribed with the dimensions away from standard. So you may be fine mating foreign spacers but it can not be taken as sure fire.

D

[bwaminispeed]

Yes, matched set, for width of spacer, was thinking more in terms of diameter......because, that's what the original post was about......

Although, I always pondered that, I can't believe that the center ridge in the hub was held to that close a tolerance over a 49 year run......Would be interesting to measure a bunch of random hubs......

[Minigman]

Which oil seal spacer did you use when installing the timkens?

The thinner drum /997 type ones normally used with roller bearings or the wider ‘S’ type normally used with tapered?