11 replies to this topic

[dschwartz1957]

I am replacing the right rear wheel bearings on my 1968 Mini Traveller. It had the original ball bearings in a cage style, and the wheel was binding slightly. I read through many forum posts about rear bearings, and apologize if this question has been asked before.

 

I ordered the "genuine Timken" GHK1805 kit from Mini Spares.

 

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

 

As far as I know, the rear hub is original to my car. It has part number 2A736C stamped in the casting, and the wheel studs are all stamped MOWOG followed by a part number.

 

The kit is "Automotive Bearings LTD ABK496" and comes with an instruction sheet (Dated 08.12.23) that states:

 

"WARNING SHIM INCLUDED"

The Timken Bearings in the kit have a shim included. This is required for vehicles where the shoulder of the hub measures less and 12mm.

 

BEFORE FITTING

Measure the shoulder of the hub prior to fitting the cups. If this measures approximately 11.87mm or less, then the shim included in this kit must be fitted behind either one of the cups to achieve the correct end play required.

 

Is the shim needed for early, original hubs? The above instructions are unclear to me. I assume the "shoulder" is the round bit cast inside the hub that the cups butt up against. None of my calipers will fit inside the hub to take a measurement, and I doubt a micrometer will fit either.

 

Attached are a few photos of my hub, the kit box, bearings, etc.

 

Many thanks,

 

David Schwartz

Framingham, Massachuetts

Attached Files

•  RearHubInner.jpg   36.73K   0 downloads
•  RearHubOuter.jpg   59.49K   2 downloads
•  ShimDirections.jpg   65.64K   3 downloads
•  BearingKitBox.jpg   44.57K   1 downloads
•  Timken1.jpg   44.54K   0 downloads

Edited by dschwartz1957, 19 November 2024 - 07:01 PM.

[Fred&Rex]

That’s interesting as previously this has been discussed about fitting a 0.1mm shim in the outer race to fix the lateral play, I asked yesterday about this and whether it’s just the front race or the back race that needs the shim, but from what you’re saying it only has one in the kit

Regards
Daz

[MatthewsDad]

I'm planning to do the same job on a 68 car so interested to see how this turns out. The reference to 'less than' 12mm and then 'approximately' 11.87mm 'or less' is ambiguous, at least to me.

[dschwartz1957]

Note that the instructions state "the shim included in this kit must be fitted behind either one of the cups to achieve the correct end play required", which seems wrong to me.

 

Does anyone know of a tool that can fit inside the hub and accurately measure the shoulder?

[Fred&Rex]

I have to agree it’s a tad hit and miss !

[GraemeC]

Fit the rear cup and use a depth micrometer from the front to measure to the shoulder and then to the cup through one of the gaps in the shoulder

[Spider]

The shim in the kit is a new one on me.

[GraemeC]

I’ve had them. Thought if measured it well and didn’t need a shim. Asssembled everything and found I was wrong!

It isn’t easy to measure, even with a small arsenal of measuring tools.

I think I posted at the time and from memory MS replied to say that the shim is generally needed in newer Rover hubs - some NOS ones the section in the hub was too small which was making the old (proper) spec bearings too tight.

See second page of this post:
https://www.theminif...bearings/page-2

Edited by GraemeC, Yesterday, 07:41 AM.

[Fred&Rex]

They must have realised some bearing kits were causing excessive play, I have an issue with one so am going to fit a 0.1mm shim on the outer race as per “Sprocket” suggestion I found a few years ago on TMF

[dschwartz1957]

I emailed Mini Spares tech support and today I received the following response:

Hi David, the shim is a late Rover hub fix, if they are original hubs then you wont need to fit it

Kind Regards

Gavin King
Purchasing / Technical Adviser

 

So we have a definitive answer that those of us with earlier hubs do not need the shim. It would be nice if the shim instructions included this information.

Edited by dschwartz1957, Yesterday, 09:36 PM.

[Fred&Rex]

Don’t think that helps as been discussed for previous Rover hubs also 👍

[Fred&Rex]

https://www.theminif...y/?fromsearch=1