R60 Countryman Wheel Bearings
 

Just making this little thread since I replaced both front wheel bearings in our 2013 All4 this weekend. The writeups in the How-to section are pretty good, and it seems the R60 is very similar. I just never found anything specific to ours.

I did both fronts even though I knew only the driver side one was roaring. Likely due to the same pothole that took out a rim a month or two ago.

Steps were simple enough. Take off the two bolts that hold the caliper brackets on (and thus the caliper with it). I used a 5/8 since I didnt have a 16mm in my current tool box.

Next, the rotor.

Then take off the 32MM axle nut.

At this point the 4 bolts holding the wheel bearing are back behind right next to where the CV sits. They are also 16mm. Again I used a 5/8, a swivel, and a 3" extension to get to them. Was difficult to get a breaker bar on anything, just being on jack stands, but I managed. Tapped with a sledge to pop the assembly loose from the spindle. No problems with the speed sensor. It is just bolted inside the spindle. Bearing removal doesn't affect it.

The trick is to push the CV axle inward. This lets you get the big socket and extension back in there. On the first one I rigged up some ridiculous thing zip tied to the hub to keep the axle back.


Attachment 193609


On the latter one, I found jacking the suspension up slightly under the lower ball joint, helped to strighten out the CV shaft for better bolt clearance, and instead of the silly zip tie thing, just pushing the axle in and sticking a screwdriver in one of the axle notches held it back in there.


Attachment 193610

Still kind of a paint to get the bolts re-torqued but, doable. Also a piece of electrical tape on the swivel helps 'keep it up' while you are getting it back behind the spindle :wink:


Now all I have left is tire noise lol

Thanks for the write up, I have a grinding noise im thinking is bearing. I guess this is normal at 77k miles.

I'm having issues with the CV boot in the way of the top right bolt how did you get that one out

Torque specs
 

Thanks for this info iwashmycar ! Very informative with photo , would you happen to have the torque specs for the 4 bolt for the bearing and the nut for the axle ? Thanks !!

I don’t offhand. I believe I did the 4 bolts to one ugga-dugga, and the axle nut to three ugga-duggas ;P

Torque spec
 

Thanks for the reply iwashmycar . Would appreciate if anyone can please help me with torque spec for these 4 bolts for bearing and axle nut, as im planning to replace them this weekend , thanks in advance for anyone who can help !

I believe the hub bolts are 40 ft/lbs and the axle nut is 135 ft/lbs

More hints
 

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...057337397.jpeg

Front wheel bearing - DIY Video You Tube
 

Here is a link to the best video I found for replacing the Front wheel bearing on a Mini Cooper Countryman. the audio is in French but that's not the important part anyways.I have replaced both front wheel bearings and one rear wheel bearing so far. Just waiting for the last one to go out the right rear.