39 replies to this topic

[BusheyTrader]

Hi,

I've stripped down the front hubs and all is well. Should I fit Timken bearings or the cheaper alternative listed by Mini Spares? It sounds like they are the same quality but from a different supplier. The drivetrain will have a hard life so I'm erring towards the much more expensive Timken.

Thanks,

Adam

[Spitz]

My "alternative" bearings last about 300km.  Buy Timken....or spend as much on two sets of the other ones and time spent ripping it apart again.

[Stu1961]

Go for Timken, steer clear of the cheap garbage sold on EBay. If your on a tight budget might be worth giving Lakeland Minis a ring they supply front kits from 'Xparts' that contain SCH bearings (About half the price you would pay at Minispares) which I believe are better than average quality. 

Edited by Stu1961, 19 March 2015 - 07:15 PM.

[Spider]

Like the other guy's experiences, I did try a few sets of the alternative branded ones (as that was all the local suppliers sold here) and git very disappointing life from them, I think the best I ever git was about 3000 km, but a few went around 1000.

[MIGLIACARS]

timkins only

 

bough 2 new ones from P and L minis put them on tightened them up and they must had been 20 mm of play top to bottom.

 

took them out the the inner spacer had not been machined at all still had casting marks on each side!!! terrible   tried to take them back to be told that how they are must be fitting them wrong..

 

 

 

from now on timkins only every time........

 

had timkins in my racer for year no hassle at all

[BusheyTrader]

Thanks guys,

If they've survived life in a circuit racer I'll go for the £49 Timken bearings vs the £14 alternatives then.........at least I get the TMF discount.

Edited by BusheyTrader, 18 March 2015 - 08:24 PM.

[FlyingScot]

Your question was about the Minispares alternative not ebay, local motor factors or other mini suppliers etc
I have used these without problem on two of my SPI minis, plenty of grease and correctly installed (big torque wrench).

FS

[Fast Ivan]

try your local Timken bearing supplier, you might be pleasantly surprised 

[Tahiti Joe]

Partly agreeing with the others, avoid cheap bearings from local motorfactors, ebay or the like like the plague.

However, Minispares bearings i've (so far) had very good experience with, i changed one side in the middle of a field in the South of France 2 summers and about 12'000 miles ago, and the other about a year and 5'000 miles ago, maybe a bit more. Install them as well as you can, make sure the races are seated properly in the hub and torque them up correctly and you won't have an issue.

For reference, the Mini is an expedition rally car, not some pampered garage queen that only comes out when theres no chance of rain.

[Gulfclubby]

I would recommend the Timken ones from personal experience. However, even more important than the bearings itself is the use of proper high speed moly grease. The buttery **** that comes with a lot of the cheaper bearings will liquify when the bearing heats up and run off, leaving you with a dry bearing that will fail quickly. Use the best grease you can get,  pack them well wearing latex gloves, take good care of keeping things very clean, seating the bearings properly, torqueing them up to spec and they should last a long time. Use plenty a sensible amount of grease, can't really overdo it. (edit: apparently you can, common sense may be applicable)

[HUBBA.HUBBA]

Buy cheap, buy twice

[Spider]

Gulfclubby, I agree with much of what you've said and yes, cleanliness is paramount!

 

However, I do strongly disagree with this;-

 

 Use plenty of grease, can't really overdo it.

 

Over-filling with grease will cause the bearings to overheat. I only ever fill to around 1/2 to 2/3's at the max.

 

Some reading and advice from the masters themselves on this;-

 

http://www.timken.co...on_Part1of3.pdf

[Stu1961]

Interesting thread this, what amount of grease would constitute under filling, having just re fitted new fronts (Timken) would be nice to known if I have got it right. So this is how I did it using 'Castrol Multi Purpose' grease. I worked the grease in-between the rollers from all sides whilst rotating the rollers and cage assembly around  the inner race (Don't think I could have got anymore in) Then before fitting the aforementioned assembly to the outer race I gave that a good coat of grease on it's inner face probably about 0.5mm thick, no more was added before re fitting the hubs.

 

Cheers

 

Stuart  

[Fast Ivan]

I follow this guide

 

 Vol2Iss3_Packing_Tapered_Roller_Bearing_with_Grease_English.pdf   207.8K   68 downloads

[Stu1961]

Great guide, thanks for that.