My son has a 2006 Mini Cooper S. He told me there is a noise in the front of the car. I took it for a test drive this evening and I think it is most likely a wheel bearing. I sounds to be the front passenger side. The noise changes with the speed of the car and changes when you turn. I made a couple of videos so you can hear it. Let me know if you think it is the wheel bearing or something else. http://vid10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/matchframe/BDG/MiniBearing2_zpsm7nbcnei.mp4 http://vid10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/matchframe/BDG/MiniBearing1_zpssaykrhqu.mp4
Yep, sure does sound like a wheel bearing. However, before digging into that check the tires. Also, does the noise change when you apply the brake? It's a slim possibility but the caliper could be hung up.
No change when applying the brakes. Would a tire make that much noise? It sounds more mechanical to me.
Things that could make a sound like that: Failed wheel bearing brake rotor shield bent against rotor brake pad worn completely out and backing plate stuck somewhere it shouldn't be Probably wheel bearing
The brake pads are fairly new, but I will check them. I will also check the backing plate as well. Thanks !
Don't try and go cheap with a Rock Auto type part here. The OEM one has shown time and time again to be the best option.
Emini parts has a package deal with the hub and all the necessary bolts, at least they used to. Makes it easy to orderl
Yep, do both sides and only use the OEM parts. Buy the kit like cct1 suggested, it has the new axle nuts and mounting hardware you'll need.
Whatever you do don't buy the Timken ones from Autozone. I made that mistake and have replaced 4 now, luckily it had a 2 year warranty. They also fail without making noise, I heard by brake pads clacking on my wilwoods and found my bearing was super loose luckily it didn't separate.
There you go. And use Promo code Fool for free shipping. It's super nice to have everything you need in one box rather than ordering all the bolts separately. And reusing the old ones really isn't a great idea on hubs.
I want to thank eMINIparts so much for getting me the parts I needed and really quickly !! And at a lot better price that my local MINI dealer sold them for. I bought the front bearing hubs for both wheels a couple of days ago and they showed up today. There was so much more in the box that really made my day as well as my son's day ! I have already changed out the bearing hub on the driver's side which was obviously the bad bearing. I will change out the passenger side hub tomorrow. When I got the front end up on the jack stands, this is what I found: http://vid10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/matchframe/BDG/wheel1_zpsnprsdl0f.mp4
It really did ! When I lifted the front end to put it on the jack stands, I saw that wheel move and I was shocked at how much it moved.