1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Wiggly wheel bearing

  1. Crashton

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    #8 Crashton, Oct 20, 2013
    My money is what you have already been told, control arm bushings. Replace both sides & go with Powerflex ones. They are much better than the oem part.
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #9 Nathan, Oct 20, 2013
    You can get the bushings already pressed into the cage from most sponsors here on Motoring Alliance. Makes life a lot easier. Once the job is complete you send your old ones back and get credit.

    I'd go poly too, the OEM ones don't last long.
     
  3. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #10 MCS02, Oct 20, 2013
    110% on the Powerflex if it the control arm bushing. That is what is on my 02. The stock bushings only last 30k or 35k. Before I changed the stock ones, my front wheels had a lot of play in them. It could be a bearing but check the control arm bushings first
     
  4. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #11 Dave.0, Oct 20, 2013
    ^^^ Yup all the above and go with Powerflex. :Thumbsup:
     
  5. Rawhyde

    Rawhyde Active Member

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    #12 Rawhyde, Oct 20, 2013
    Yep, Dave's right as usual. Get them from Way's Motor Works. If you're a DIY guy, he offers them pre-pressed into housings, so it's straight mechanical work to install them. If your car has a lot of miles, go for his "combo package with inner and outer ball joints as well)

    I did this job a few weeks ago and the results are downright amazing. I'm a little over 100 miles from Way's so I paid them a visit instead of paying for shipping.

    While you're in there, replace your front sway bar bushings (and even the bar itself if you're looking for something to upgrade). Take a look at my threads on the subject. I hope they are of some help to you.
     
  6. jiminni

    jiminni Well-Known Member

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    #14 jiminni, Oct 21, 2013
    Umm.....wheel bearings are really not parts I would not want to " go the cheapest", you might want to consider OEM's. Out of curiosity, how many miles on your car? Sounds like you really need to check everything under your car?
     
  7. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #16 Crashton, Oct 22, 2013
    If you are looking for oem MINI parts I've found the folks at eminiparts to be very good. Very helpful folks with good prices & great service.

    http://www.eminiparts.com/
     
  8. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #2 jbat, Oct 20, 2013
    [​IMG]
     
  9. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #3 MCS02, Oct 20, 2013
    If it's its the wheel bearing it must be replaced. Have you changed your control arm bushings? When they go bad it allows the wheel to wiggle. The best way to check them is with the car in the air kick the front tire towards the rear of the car. If it moves it's time for control arm bushings.
    The wheel bearings will make a roaring sound when they go bad.
     
  10. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #4 MCS02, Oct 20, 2013
    The center nut holds the half shaft in the hub. It does nothing for the bearing.
    Let us know if you need more help.
     
  11. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #5 jbat, Oct 20, 2013
    No roaring, I came to autozone. They don't carry the control arm bushing. Any idea where to get one
     
  12. jiminni

    jiminni Well-Known Member

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    #6 jiminni, Oct 20, 2013
    The control arm bushings are either from the dealer, if you want the stock bushing or a aftermarket vendor if you want, say, poly bushings. Have you actually determined what the issue is? Not all bad wheel bearings will make noise, some start clicking, some squeal also. Best way to check the bearing is, jack up the wheel, and grab at 3 and 6 o'clock and shake back and forth, should not have movement. If the bushing, best way is up on a rack, grab the control arm and move back and forth, and watch the bushing it self. Also, if they are really bad, you can just see that they are torn. Good luck :Thumbsup:
     
  13. jiminni

    jiminni Well-Known Member

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    #7 jiminni, Oct 20, 2013
    image.jpg
     
  14. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #13 jbat, Oct 21, 2013
    Most definitely a DIY kinda guy, tearing apart my jeep usually, and have done the camber plates for the mini. We are always looking for an excuse to up grade, so the set from way motor works will most definitely be going in. Further more there are more than one problem.

    Passenger side, I can feel the strut mount move, and it is for sure causing the knocking noise.
    Driver side front wheel. Bearing is making no noise, but with the wheel on, lifted in the air, if I push and pull on the top of the wheel is moves about 1/4 of an inch. I can tell the wheel bearing is loose, I tried tightening it up, that did not make a difference. When it comes to wheel bearings, oem is $90. Any ideas where I could find after marked of those as well
     
  15. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #15 MCS02, Oct 22, 2013
    On the passenger side, if the rubber is cracking on the strut mount you need to replace it. I have had to do this twice on both sides of my MINI. I have a very stiff setup and its hard on the mounts. Also if there is mushrooming where it bolts up you need to repair it when you change the mounts.
    You said you tightened the bearing. What did you tighten? the wheel bearings on the Mini are sealed bearings and can not be tightened. Go with the OEM bearings.
    check this site out RealOEM.com Online BMW Parts Catalog
    Take a good look at the control arm bushings if they are stock and you have 35 or 40k on them they are part of the problem.
    Good luck on the repair :Thumbsup:
     
  16. jiminni

    jiminni Well-Known Member

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    #17 jiminni, Oct 22, 2013
    I was thinking the strut towers also, but he said he installed camber plates?
     
  17. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #18 MCS02, Oct 22, 2013
    Oh thanks I forgot! That's what happens when you get old. :frown2:
     
  18. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #19 jbat, Oct 24, 2013
    I was actually hoping to get better wheel bearings, not after market to save cost, but I'm willing to spend more for a better part.