Initially, I thought my front left wheel bearings were stuffed, but we discovered the hub nut was a bit loose.

I bought a huge spanner which fits the nut, but it doesn't matter how hard I try I don't seem to be able to tighten the nut far enough to get it to the point where it is both tight enough AND it's in a position for me to put a split pin back through.

I had my brother sitting in the front seat with his foot on the brake pedal whilst I was belting the hell out of the spanner with B-est F-ing hammer I have. It won't budge any further in my hands.

Should I just back it off and put the split pin through or should I expect to be able to get it that little bit further?

I sometimes back it off a little bit to get the split pin through - but that is after tightening it with a 1 metre long breaker bar with an extra 1 metre extender bar on it - so when I 'back it off' it is still bloody tight.

I think you actually need something with some extra leverage, unless that is a very long spanner you are using. Elsewise if you back it off it will likely end up loose again, which can potentially lead to damage.

ummmmm 150lb/ft is the torque setting.....

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Well I for one don't have a torque wrench that goes that high, so I've always taken 150lb/ft as tightening it with my longest breaker bar until I'm damn near lifting the car up. Then it's tight.

150ft/lb is someone (70kg) standing on the 1 foot long bar near the end

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

And if you really want to know - I think it is called the castellated nut.
KB

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Thanks all for the replies!

I was feeling pretty castellated myself when I couldn't turn that nut just a smidge more to make the pin go through.

A torque wrench might be my next splurge.

drum brakes ??? or disc brakes???

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

If the hub nut has worked loose, there could be a problem, like the hub flange is worn or the spacer itself needs to be machined to compensate for any bearing wear. Best if you check it out fully

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1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - Slow progress. No time or money!
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.

dont forget you dont just have one hole to put a split pin in

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

Yes you often do, if it's a late disc brake CV.

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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.

Thanks for the advice, guys.

Sounds like I better get it checked out.

Will only help if your torque wrench goes to 150ft/lb - not many do - and anyway no idea how you appy enough torque to a torque wrench to 150ft/lb w/o an extension. You are better off investing in a 34mm socket (better than a spanner anyway) and a long breaker bar, plus a lenght of pipe and stand on it.

(though a torque wrench is very useful in general).

If your not in a hurry wait till Supercrap have a store wide 20% off sale (usually Public Holiday weekends ) I got mine then and it's one in a hard plastic case for safe storage.

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

True. I should've bought a socket instead of the spanner. I didn't even think of it. Bloody thing cost me $80 and there's no way to get any leverage. Who knows when I will need a 34mm spanner again. As it was I was half wondering if I wouldn't take out the flare with my BFH swings.

Lucky I didn't!