Morris Minor Owners Club

I have a 71 pickup. I bought it about three months ago and I noticed that when I went around a RH bend, there was a noticable grinding or rubbing noise which I thought came from the front left nearside wheel. So... I have renewed the wheel bearings on the front (both sides) and greased up the top and bottom trunions - as best as I could because I had a hell of a job trying to get grease into them. The noise is still there, not loud enough to be alarming, but noticeable. I am aiming to strip down both sides swivel pins and aim to replace the top and bottom trunions both sides this winter. I did notice, when doing the nearside front wheel bearings, that the wheel bearing spacer had a groove in it on it's outer circumference, almost as if it had, at one time had a ball bearing (from a failed bearing?) trapped against it. Any thoughts? Ta, Cap'n

The groove is there to spread grease! Are you sure the tyre isn't rubbing on full lock ? Could happen if the steering rack is not dead centre - ie - the track rod ends are not on the track rods by equal amounts. If any doubt about the hub/bearing - swap it over to the other side - and see if the noise follows.

Right! Thanks for the info about the groove, good job I never got a new (old) one and thought: wow, this guy must have had execatly the same problem as me!

I'm not sure about the tyre-rubbing thing, but I will have closer look tomorrow.

Ta again, Cap'n

I had exactly the same symptoms after changing the front tyres for new ones but only when reversing on full lock, after investigation it turned out the tyre was catching the 'seam' where the curved part of the wheel arch meets the inner wing flat bit at the rear. really difficult to see when on the ground but can be felt by running your hand around the inner edge of the tyre when on full lock, also given away by a bit of polish on the metal.
As BM suggest further searching as to the cause turned up a miss centred rack giving two turns to left full lock 1 1/4 to the right (or whatever it was supposed to be).
So starting from first principles I reset the rack central and alls well.

I did have a look at the tyre to see if it was rubbing, but there are no visible signs on the tyre or the wheel arch! I am beginning to wonder if the noise could be coming from the REAR nearside??? Or, could it be something to do with the trunnions?

Wouldnt think it was the trunnions as they are 'stationary' when turned they would only grind when actually moving (if you get my drift).
You havnt got mudflaps or anything like that have you its suprising how sound is amplified in the cabin.
Also check the wheel fixing holes a loose wheel can sometimes make a grumbling type noise but that will show up around the wheel nuts.
Apart from that check the flexi pipe isnt touching the rim when turned or the brake drum backing plate isnt bent and touching the drum anywhere.

Anything that is making a noise like that will leave marks on the bits that are rubbing.
Have a look for areas that are shiny or surrounded by rust dust or rubber dust.
Have you had a look at the inside tyre wall and the "back" of the wheels?
I had this with a disc conversion, both the wheel and the calliper were marked. Soon sorted with a bit of angle grinder action on the calliper .

Yep, I've had a good look around and can't find anything amiss!

if its from the rear then classic sign of worn rear wheel bearing.

I will check the rear wheel bearing when I come back to the UK, next week. Thanks for all the help here. Cap'n