Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi there.
Just bought some new front wheel bearings for my 52 minor . ( Straight Axle ) can i replace these bearings without removing the axles from the car, Car is my daily driver so need to do it the quickest way. Any input would be appreciated , Cheers Steve.

According to the workshop manual you can do it without removing the stub axles, and without disturbing the brake assemblies. You'll need a hub-puller and if you're unlucky, something to pull the inner bearing assembly off the stub axle.

The hubs can be pulled off the stub axles.
The bearing inner race invariably stays on the stub axle when the hub is removed because of the way the bearing is assembled.
You may be able to wriggle the inner bearing race off the stub axle with a pair of flat screw drivers.
Use one of these to pull the hub off the stub axles:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSAL-HUB ... Swez5Z16Ei

Use one of these (or similar) with a jubilee clip around the two legs to pull the inner race off the stub axle.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Inch-2-Leg- ... Sw3YJZXfZb

palacebear wrote:According to the workshop manual you can do it without removing the stub axles, and without disturbing the brake assemblies. You'll need a hub-puller and if you're unlucky, something to pull the inner bearing assembly off the stub axle.

Thanks heap for that Palacebear

philthehill wrote:The hubs can be pulled off the stub axles.
The bearing inner race invariably stays on the stub axle when the hub is removed because of the way the bearing is assembled.
You may be able to wriggle the inner bearing race off the stub axle with a pair of flat screw drivers.
Use one of these to pull the hub off the stub axles:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSAL-HUB ... Swez5Z16Ei

Use one of these (or similar) with a jubilee clip around the two legs to pull the inner race off the stub axle.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Inch-2-Leg- ... Sw3YJZXfZb

Thanks heaps for you info yet again. People talk of thrust bearings for this job( one side thicker than the other , But my bearing supplier has supplied me normal bearings.

Pictures of both sides of the bearings out of the packaging would be appreciated. We can then see what type of bearing you have been supplied with.
See this thread for details of the bearing orientation:-
https://www.mmoc.org.uk/Messageboard/vi ... gs#p477987

philthehill wrote:Pictures of both sides of the bearings out of the packaging would be appreciated. We can then see what type of bearing you have been supplied with.
See this thread for details of the bearing orientation:-
https://www.mmoc.org.uk/Messageboard/vi ... gs#p477987

will post pic of bearings tomorrow , Don't have them with me at moment.. I can tell you they are rubber sealed both sides, Cheers Steve

Here is another pic of the bearings. Didn't want to cut bag incase they are wrong ones,Hope these pics help

Thank you for posting the photos.
Whilst sealed bearings are not unacceptable I would prefer to fit open bearings that the hub grease can circulate and you can see that it has circulated.
The details on the box do not state whether they are C3 bearings or not - can you look through the wrapping and post the numbers/details on here.
My first consideration would be to send the bearings back.
Others on here may have fitted these bearings and had good service but to me they are an unknown quantity.

http://www.minamiguchi-bearings.com/

I tried finding reviews on the web for these bearings without luck.
Phil

philthehill wrote:Thank you for posting the photos.
Whilst sealed bearings are not unacceptable I would prefer to fit open bearings that the hub grease can circulate and you can see that it has circulated.
The details on the box do not state whether they are C3 bearings or not - can you look through the wrapping and post the numbers/details on here.
My first consideration would be to send the bearings back.
Others on here may have fitted these bearings and had good service but to me they are an unknown quantity.

http://www.minamiguchi-bearings.com/

I tried finding reviews on the web for these bearings without luck.
Phil

Hi Phil, These are all thats on offer here in New Zealand here are the numbers on the bearings.Large one says Lot 161011 and small one says LOT 161012. Cheers Steve

if they are the right size and all you can get.just prize off the seals with a thin blade so that grease can get into them.

I did not realise that you are in New Zealand.

If that is all you can get and they are the correct size - carefully check before fitting; I would do as kennatt advises and prise the rubber seals off and use the bearings exposed making sure that the thrust faces are pointing the right way.

Please let us know how you get on and how they perform with use.
Phil

Thanks for all you input, will keep you posted with pics for sure

Phil
This whole thrust face thing is very confusing.If i was to not take the rubber seals out and just fit them like a standard bearing with any markings to the outside so you can read what is written on the bearing,there is no word (Thrust ) on these bearings, Would that be fine ?.Do i have to remove the seals to see which way to fit them ? Cheers Steve.

As regards the thrust - it is most important that you get the bearing fitted the right way round.
The outer races of both bearings will have a thick/deep and thin/shallow vertical face.
The thin/shallow vertical faces should be fitted towards the outside of the hub as per the attached drawing above.
Whilst there is nothing inherently wrong with leaving the seals in place - removing the seals ensures that grease will circulate and enter and move around the bearing balls, cage and races and it may prolong the life of the bearings.

Cheers Phil,
I will have to remove the seals anyway to see which way to fit them as there is no way of telling with the seals on,
Regards
Steve

Steve
You can tell which way round to fit the bearings by the thickness of vertical face of the outer bearing race even with the seals fitted.
The bearings are assembled from the side with the thin vertical face of the outer bearing race and that is why it is important to get the bearings the right way round otherwise the bearings can fall apart when thrust is applied the wrong way.
Phil

Hi Phil.
How you going, Bet you sick of me by now. These bearings are exactly the same same both sides when you look at them.(There is no difference what so ever)They are just like any other standard bearing. We both talking about the same thing i hope,lol. Straight bearings for 1952 Front stub axles, Not adjustable taper roller bearings
Cheers Steve
New Zealand.

Still plenty of patience to go
To confirm either way can you please post pictures of both sides of the bearings out of the packaging.
I am referring to ball bearings not taper roller bearings.
Phil

please you are still talking to me Phil.
Here are some more pics, Cheers Steve