The answer is....get a bigger torque wrench.
Drum braked (and Cooper 7" disc braked but we'll ignore them as they're rubbish) CV joints are set on plain ball bearings and have no pre-load. These are the type that only need torqueing to 60 lbft / 83 Nm.
All the disc braked Minis use taper roller bearing sets and need to be pre-loaded to the correct amount. So :
Where there are two split pin bores in the CV joint the hub nut must be torqued to 150 lbtft / 207 Nm, then tightened further to align the hole.
Where there is only one split pin bore the hub nut must be torqued to 193 lbft / 262 Nm, then tightened further to align the hole.
Both of these larger CV joints with taper roller bearings must be torqued and aligned twice, once using a large flat washer strong enough to take it and then WITHOUT DISTURBING THE JOINT remove the nut and flat washer and reassemble with the taper washer in place and re-torque, align and pin. The fan blade spacer is the right size to use as a washer, use two ideally for strength. Don't use the one you want to put back behind the fan as it will get damaged. Buy a new one to use as a special tool for this purpose. You must do this to ensure proper pre-load on the bearing. If you don't the taper washer will grab the CV before the bearing is seated and prevent the joint sliding through. The bearing will be slack and wear in no time.
If your bearings are loose, they are worn out. There is no adjustment in a taper roller bearing, it either is or isn't pre-loaded. They may be loose because someone fitted them without first seating them with a flat washer, because they weren't fully torqued or because they have become worn. In any event they are probably now damaged and you should replace them. If they haven't been driven in this loose condition and it is down to poor fitting they will still be OK but if any serious amount of miles has passed under the wheels since they became loose they need replacing. Check your CV joints for a ridge where the taper washer sits and if there is one linish it off as it will prevent the bearing seating properly.
Edited by Dan, 10 March 2008 - 01:34 PM.
my torque wrench doesnt even go that high? 
