I just purchased a base R50 with 130k miles. I've been doing a lot of minor replacements (taillight, hood struts, mirror, etc.) and have just noticed this awful squeal that is coming from the right rear.

I've done my research and believe it is the hub assembly bearing. Most of do what I've found seems to be brake or belt related. Since is coming from the back, it's not a belt, and, the squeal doesn't go away when I brake. I also don't believe it's the LDP because it only happens while moving.

Here's a brief clip of the sound.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ghpvn56aw5...9%20174036.m4a

It stops after 20-30mph.
Doesn't show up until a good 20 minutes of driving.
Seems to stop as I turn.
Definitely coming from the passenger rear.

I found these http://bit.ly/165BP3h and am wondering if there is anything I need to know about changing them myself. It seems rather straight forward, but before I dish out $100 and some bloody knuckles, I wanted to make sure.

Appreciate any advice.
Thanks

 

I was having a similar issue but with some differences. Maybe this will help you eliminate a possibility if nothing else:
I was having a squealing sound after 20 min of driving or more, intermittent squeals, sometimes sustained. After the car cooled the sound went away (mechanic didn't hear the sound for this reason). I brought the issue up on NAM, and someone mentioned it could be a bad brake caliper pin. I was certain this would be the problem but eventually I went in for new tires and had the shop check the calipers. They found incorrectly mounted (or the aftermarket ones I bought fit poorly)rear brake pads...
I searched on NAM for bearing/hub noise and the description I found was "helicopter noise" or "loud hum" so maybe your issue is something else. Have you eyeballed the problem area to see if anything is jammed between the pad and rotor or soemthing similar?

 

One way your story sounds similar to mine is that the sound is from the rear, and turns affect the noise. I think this is what led to the pin theory-turns caused the loose pin to slide away from the contact area, and the sound disappeared momentarily. I'm going to look for that post.

 

Wow, excellent. Thanks! I have yet to investigate, but I will check that right away and report back.

 

Hope it helps, to me the best thing about NAM is the community help.
Here's the link to the convo about my problem:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ate-speed.html

 

Thanks again. So what is the ultimate fix? New pads? Or just making sure everything is properly lubricated? I have an assumption this car sat for a bit as all of the metal bits look a bit rusty.

 

For my issue I'd replace the pads with OEM ones. In my linked-to post someone recommends slightly beveling the pads to avoid a raised rim on a worn rotor. Personally, I think my rotors will need to be replaced soon based on mileage and apparent wear (I probably won't attempt this).
When I purchased my MINI I took it in for a detailed inspection and got a good idea of issues I would want to address in the near future-that might be worth your time and money.

 

Perfect. That's where I'll start.

 

Road salt and snow rusty or the rotors are a little rusty? Rotors will develop surface rust in a day or two if the car hasn't been driven.

 

Yeah, not the rotors themselves. But things like the calipers and other metal parts. Just surface, but just looks like it may have sat.

 

Gonna go find oem pads

 

Swapped the rear brakes and so far so good. Did a pretty good test drive and not a peep! Thanks for the help, fingers crossed it holds!

 

Sweet!