Hi NAM

I believe I have a faulty wheel bearing. a noise like a washing machine on spin starts at around 60 MPH regardless of gear and clutch down or up.

How do I locate what bearing it is?
And is it easy to replace?
If so how do I go about doing it. iv looked through on the forum and sounds easy but some people have said Its not a DIY job because I have to compress 2 Parts together?

Can anyone be of assistance?

And iv heard the back Brakes are a pain to get off due to that i have to Twist the piston as well has pushing it? Special tool? Where from?

Thanks For all that take there time to look

Charlie

 

I've never done it on a MINI before, but I have replaced wheel bearings on other types of cars. In my opinion, its not a DIY unless you have decent mechanical experience, have done something similar before, and have the appropriate tools. I dont know about the brakes. Again, its probaly does take a special tool. If it were me, I would probably just swallow my pride and pay a reputable mechanic to do the work.

Good luck.

 

iv got a decent set of tools, im confident. iv done a lot of other things on the mini but i like to know what im doing before hand if you know what i mean. dont like delving into the unknow un prepared here in the UK the Man hour cost is like $240 per hour!

 

I don't think you are able to replace just the bearing, i believe you have to replace the hub assembly, number 13 in this illustration...

since you didn't state what year your car was and if was a MC or MCS, I used my year and model. There shouldn't be a whole lot of difference from '02-'06, but there may be a different part number depending on build date.

Anyway, replacing the rear hub isn't very difficult whether it be on a lift or on the ground.
There are 4 bolts that come in from the backside of the trailing arm that hold the hub assembly to the arm.

To be on the safe side, you may want to unbolt the wheel speed sensor from the arm and move it out of the way.

If you need more help, let me know.

 

Yea, ... you need to replace the entire hub as bearings are not replacable. Makes it a very easy job actually. Great for race cars as it makes a bearing change very quick and easy, ... and CLEAN!

 

Wow thanks guys, is the hub just going to come out with ease? or is it gonna take some choice words with my feet againt the body of the car pulling like a train to get it out of there? is the wheel speed sensor number 16 in the diag? any one know of the torq settings, my car is a 2003 ONE ( COOPER ) Non S.
thing is i still dont know what one it is???

 

Number 16 in the pic is the bolt that holds the sensor in, the sensor is number 17.
Once you have the brake assembly off, and remove the four bolts that are holding the hub, it should fall right off.

To check which one it is, jack up one side and spin the wheel to try to hear if it's making noise, also grab the wheel at the 9 and 3 positions and see if there is unusual movement.

If that doesn't work, then go for a parking lot ride. Weave back and forth at low speed, basically loading and unloading each side of the car, and see which one makes noise.

 

Yup, I've replaced good 'ol #13. Had a wheel bolt stretch when swapping tires back after a track event, leaving behind a really messed up hole (this was before going to studs).

The part isn't cheap, but as onasled says, it's a quick fix... It bolts on from the back, and once you remove the bolts the assembly drops off in your hand.

 

thank you so much everyone im a lot more confident to tackle the task now all i need now is some good weather. here in the uk it looks like thats gonna be a little while... i wish i had a garage!