Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi
I have a '63 traveller with many modifications.
This includes marina front stub axles and callipers. On the passenger side there is a recurring problem which appears to be the bearings slackening off repeatedly after only a few miles.
Does any one have any ideas? Had it happen to them?
Thanks
Steve

Only heard of this with the old OB Minor stub axle and a modified Marina Hub, not the full Marina set up. I don't mean to question your knowledge here but are you sure that they are Marina stub axles.
If so then they should run standard bearings , so I'd suggest that the bearings might be incorrect.

Hi Jonathan
Thanks for the reply.
I'm only guessing that the stub axles are Marina since I have fitted new Marina discs and callipers

Steve

In which case they may well not be. The kit I used had special hubs but usual Minor stub axles - if memory serves
a

If I remember correctly the bearings were from a Peugeot which were a close metric version of the original Marina . The n/s/f was always a problem ,largely due to it being in the gutter of the road. Bumping up kerbs,pot holes etc hastened the already poor fit.
The stub axle is slightly modified with a bearing spacer required to take up the discrepancy in Minor -Marina bearing sizes.

Thank you, oh fount of knowledge
a

Thanks for the reply - really helpful.
Can you tell me whether the spacer was fitted on the oil seal side? I've already put an extra washer behind the castle nut.

Steve

The spacer was an interference fit ( supposed to be) being cynical,sorry.
on the original boss on the stub axle,so yes its on the oil seal side.
Does your stub axle have just the end thread then a smooth finished shank moving into a taper. if it does then its a Minor one, if it has broached splines between the thread and shank then its a Marina one. The Minor version might well require a spacer but make sure it is the correct diameter for the bearing.
Hope this makes sense

Thanks Jonathan

this is proving to be really helpful.
I now know I have a Minor stub axle!

Steve

I have exactly the same problem with my bearings one side always has play in it. I think the problem is with the stub axle being worn it is a recon one & it looks like its been shotblasted which has reduced its diameter slightly alowing the inner race of the outer bearing to move slightly on the shaft

Might well be but there has been an issue(fault) to most folk with the n/s bearings for years now and it still has not been addressed. Unfortunately this is the way with many other components from the same source. Scandalous in my opinion

Hi
just to let you know;
the car in question passed it's MOT today
Its only fault being an overslack wheel bearing. This was rectified by having a specially made spacer to take up the slack and stop the hub rubbing against the back plate.
Thank you for all your help in this matter
Steve

Hmm - not sure I like the sound of that! Keep a close eye on it. It may only be a very temporary 'fix' .

you were right bmcecosse;
it's at fault again
Have you any advice please?
Steve

probably best to get a new bearing kit. the ones on this link have the necessary spacers etc for the minor/marina setup
http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/ind ... be63eca7fd

Trouble is they will go again, as its an inherent design fault,especially on the n/s.