Front wheel bearing renewal

[SeanC]

My drivers side wheel bearing started to howl the other day so I knew that it was time to renew it. Rather than just replace one bearing I did the pair as no doubt if one has gone then the other will quickly follow. I thought that I would make a step by step guide just in case anyone else is thinking about doing this job themselves. The job itself can easily be done within an hour per side.

* Tools required
13,16,17,32mm sockets, socket extensions, punch, heavy hammer, 7mm Alan key/ socket, T30 Torx socket. WD40 Torque wrench, Axle stands

1- Prior to jacking your car up, remove the centre cap from the wheel. Using a punch or suitable screwdriver knock the locking tab back in to shape so that the hub nut can be undone. Using a 32mm socket crack off the hub nut.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/ado28/Cooper/aed128b4-a277-4d22-913e-67c5340d5177_zps37292ab6.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/ado28/media/Cooper/aed128b4-a277-4d22-913e-67c5340d5177_zps37292ab6.jpg.html)

2- Jack the front of the car up and support it on axel stands and remove the wheel
3- Remove the torx collar screw from the brake disk.
4- Undo the 2 calliper carrier bolts (16mm), remove the calliper and hook it up on the coil spring with a bungee cord or tie it up with string so that your working area is clear.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/ado28/Cooper/70cd93eb-5cf5-41d6-9e29-1231258a4354_zps7b8363b3.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/ado28/media/Cooper/70cd93eb-5cf5-41d6-9e29-1231258a4354_zps7b8363b3.jpg.html)

5- Spray the end of the hub bolts with WD40 where they stick out of the hub and let them soak for a few minutes if you wish

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/ado28/Cooper/2014-10-19141334_zpsb38f82fb.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/ado28/media/Cooper/2014-10-19141334_zpsb38f82fb.jpg.html)

6- Remove the wheel sensor. * If it’s stuck then you can leave it in but you’ll need to be careful when freeing the wheel bearing assembly from the hub!

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/ado28/Cooper/2014-10-19140606_zpsb05c2b23.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/ado28/media/Cooper/2014-10-19140606_zpsb05c2b23.jpg.html)

7- Working from the back of the hub, undo the 4 bolts that hold on the wheel bearing assembly (13mm)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/ado28/Cooper/2014-10-19140646_zps1494b44f.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/ado28/media/Cooper/2014-10-19140646_zps1494b44f.jpg.html)

8- Remove the hub nut on the end of the driveshaft (32mm)
9- The wheel bearing assembly will probably be rusted to the hub so carefully shock the wheel bearing assembly with a heavy hammer until it breaks free
10- Remove the wheel bearing assembly and then give the hole a clean up with course sand paper or a wire brush as this will aid reassembly of the new wheel bearing.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/ado28/Cooper/2014-10-19142508_zpsf6d86a04.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/ado28/media/Cooper/2014-10-19142508_zpsf6d86a04.jpg.html)

11- Refit the new wheel bearing assembly. The holes to retain it are off set so it can only be bolted on one way! Fit new hub nut

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/ado28/Cooper/2014-10-18125154_zps01ea468c.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/ado28/media/Cooper/2014-10-18125154_zps01ea468c.jpg.html)

12- Refit wheel speed sensor if removed
13- Refit brake disk and calliper. Torque calliper bolts to required torque (110nm)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/ado28/Cooper/2014-10-19145403_zps7a0303e3.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/ado28/media/Cooper/2014-10-19145403_zps7a0303e3.jpg.html)

14- Torque hub nut up then using a punch or suitable drift knock the collar of the hub nut into its locking slot. *You may need an assistant to stand on the brake pedal when doing the hub nut up.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/ado28/Cooper/2014-10-19145924_zps848edfac.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/ado28/media/Cooper/2014-10-19145924_zps848edfac.jpg.html)

I also took this opportunity to renew my calliper carrier bolts and brake disk collar screws as mine were looking a tad naff.

[EcosseGP]

Great write up for those that fancy trying it themselves :)

[Gez]

Brilliant write up. Was gonna change mines soon aswell! Cheers :)

[SeanC]

Cheers guys. Apparently this job will cost in excess of £600 at MINI!

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[marky]

Perfect timing as mine will hopefully be getting done this weekend.
Great write up

[SeanC]

Sorry for the broken links with the photos for a while. I tidied up my photo bucket and didnt realise the links had gone. All fixed now [emoji4]

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[CiderFex]

That is a cracking "how to" guide, thanks for taking the time to post it up.
[emoji4]

...to Infinity and beyond !!!

[John Martin]

Great work, where did you buy your wheel bearings?

[Trich1966]

Great How To... Many thanks, Need to do mine also rear ones are going, is there a how to on the rear bearings? also for interest where abouts did you buy your bearings from.
Thanks again,

R
Tim,

[john]

Great How To... Many thanks, Need to do mine also rear ones are going, is there a how to on the rear bearings? also for interest where abouts did you buy your bearings from.
Thanks again,

R
Tim,

the rears are virtually the same.

[SeanC]

Thanks guys, I think I may have got these from either Livi autoparts or dingbro (will need to check invoice) They were £160 (trade) for the pair. There are cheaper ones available but I wouldn't recommend fitting cheap parts as it is false economy. The rears are the same idea as the fronts

If you are doing the job yourself and can't get your ABS wheel speed sensor out then go easy on removing the old hub as you may have to give the old hub a wee thump to get it off! Remember to clean up the hole too as this will make it easier to fit the new hub

Its also an ideal opportunity to clean you brake backplates and repaint them! Sadly I never had enough time to do that when changing my bearings at the time.

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[John Martin]

Thanks for that Sean, will check out Livi autoparts, think they have a evilbay account.

[SeanC]

No worries John, It was Livi autoparts I got these from