So here is the reason I went Mini shopping. My 2011 Countryman All4 S needed brakes all around and both front wheel bearings. My Mini guy said $2500. No problem. I love my R60 and that is still cheaper than a car payment. Plus I am still paying off the clutch replacement from a year ago. Dropped her off for the appointment walked the hour home and about an hour later I get a call. Can't be good news. He said he cannot get the axle nuts off. Or at least not without damaging the axle which will turn this into at least a $6000 job if not more. He said he has never seen any this corroded. I showed the pictures to another friend in the Model T club and he had the same reaction as for as never seeing any that corroded. So my question is WTH?!?!?! How did they get that corroded and does anyone have any suggestion on how to get them off without damaging the axles? I've driven a lot of beaters in my time. Many used and abused vehicles that I picked up on the cheap and I too have never seen anything this bad. What could have caused this? I'd also be interested in how to prevent this from happening on my newer 2014 MCS.

 

Can't say I've ever seen axel nuts that corroded either! Yikes!

Based on the condition of the hub faces, I'd say it looks like the winter road salt got into the cavity there and just lingered until it ate it all up. If you go through with the repair, would be a good practice to remove the wheels in the spring, and clean that area up REALLY good. Might even consider spraying some rust coating in there in the fall too.