Made a mistake a year ago to go with cheaper front wheel hubs for the '05 Mini Cooper. Paying the price now as one of them is done. What are recommended OEM ones out there?

 

I don't know what brand is OEM, but you should stick with a reputable bearing manufacturer such as Timken, SKF, INPA/***, NTN, etc.

 

+1^^

 

If you got it at Autozone or something they usually have a 1yr unlimited mile warranty. If you are still in the one year mark.

 

LOL...autozone...
Don't get me going....they sell so many cheap made in china parts...
Alternators/starters/coils are the worst....I hope the brand of bearings and suspension parts are better....I can say from many threads their CV joints are so cheap they are darn near useless!!

 

+1
Pay a little more, get a GOOD part...
Many autozone parts are made "just good enough to get the car fixed...and SOLD.
Places typically have a regular part, the "house brand", and a "pro grade"....get the better one for the extra few $$.

 

You may laugh, but most of these parts are from the same manufacturer out of the same factory that does the OEM parts. Wheel bearings aren't rocket science.

 

That might be true, but they do vary in quality.

 

Scratch TIMKEN off of the Hub Bearing list. They are junk, and have outsourced their hub units to China.

 

I would say that is true. Was going to buy a Duralast hub and the Timken hub had the same part number. Bought from ECS instead.

 

Just bought a Hub Bearing Service Kit from Mini of Bedford. $157.

can't beat that!!! Talk to Steve in parts!

 

What's a Service Kit?

 

For this hub (pictured above, front and back), the factory OEM part number is 31226776162 - $211.00 with NAM coupon code (10% off!). http://parts.miniofsouthatlanta.com/...226756889.html

Our Wheel Hub assembly comes complete with a national factory warranty in case of part failure.


The Wheel Hub is #7 on the diagram above.

Additional items that might be needed as well:
Hex Nut with Flange (Part Number: 31106773005) - $5.87 with NAM coupon.
http://parts.miniofsouthatlanta.com/...106773005.html

OEM Carrier Assemblies:
Left Carrier (Part number: 31216757497) - $150.85 with NAM coupon.
http://parts.miniofsouthatlanta.com/...216757497.html

Right Carrier (Part number: 31216757498) - $150.85 with NAM coupon.
http://parts.miniofsouthatlanta.com/...216757498.html

If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me by either PM or by phone. I’m happy to help - just mention the NAM forums!
~John

 

Service kit comes with hub/bearing assembly, axle nut, balljoint nut and 4 carrier studs.