Hi all,

Had a lot of trouble removing the LH Outer CV joint on the mini today. It was almost like it was welded in, and only after a LOT of persuasion with a BFH did it finally come out.

This is one of the 'Italian made' outer CV's and when it finally came out it had some pretty nasty marks on it as the picture shows - almost like it is scored

When I went to put the new Outer CV on - there suddenly felt like a lot of slop.

I'm assuming that the bearings have failed completely? If not is there anything else that could cause that kind of damage on the CV? They are only about a year old.

There had been no previous signs of the wheel bearings failing - no noise or anything.

Thoughts?

James

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I think after that much of a walloping, it would be time for a new bearing kit. They're a relatively good price these days (I paid more for them 20 years ago on 90s wages), so its a good thing.

I can't tell what's at fault here from the picture, the bearing or the CV, but yeah the bearing will be stuffed now. Its possible that's a loctite product on the CV. I'm not sure why someone would put it there, but it has that red coloured look about it.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Cheers Mick, there was definitely no loctite type products on it. My dad and i installed them last year and nothing was put on like that.

Could there be any other factors that could've caused this beside the cv or the bearings? Such as a suspension issue? Maybe not quite enough grease perhaps?

I'm just devastated - thought it'd be a nice simple swap to hardy spicers, but I can't be that lucky haha

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It looks like it's been fretting and the plating has come off.
May have been fractionally undersize in the bearing and every revolution it moves in and out of contact with the bearing inner race.

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Find a job you love and you will never have to go to work !

Yes, low grease causes dramas, look up packing bearings to be sure to get the right amount of grease on there.

As for the new CV, the bearing should slide in reasonably easy and not jam up like the last.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Hello James,
The inner race of the wheel bearing may have been fretting as Phil 850 said. But even if the CV was slightly undersized, the inner races should be locked tight by the big CV nut being tensioned to as much as you can get standing on it, and the spacer between the inner races of each bearing should lock them together. It's usually only the outer races that can turn in their hub seats and need retaining compound.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

It seems quite strange - since having the new CV's there hasn't been a single issue - no bearing noise, no telltale signs of wear, so i'm a little confused.

I think I'll definitely get new Timken bearings, as I want to get good ones. Is it possible the hub itself is now worn or damaged and should replace with new hubs?

Also, what is the best grease for use on cv's? - Inners and outers

James

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Were they genuine Timken tapered roller bearings, or the noname ones?
I have seen cases where the noname ones had the wrong width spacers included.
Looks to me like the bearing has been spinning? How tight was that side's hub nut when undoing?

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.