What mileage are you replacing Front Wheel Bearing at? (R53)

[Pip1968]

Just wondered how most are getting on. I am quite careful with potholes and bumps but have just had my NSFwheel bearing replaced at only 52,000 miles. I am interested how others have fared. I am in two minds whether to do the osf besring too.

What about other models such as r56 et cetera??

Pip

[Elliot2000]

R53’s seemed to have had a tendency for nsf wheel bearings in particular. I also remember there were a a lot of r53’s out there with nsf hub nuts that wernt locked off properly on the thread from factory which caused long brake pedal travel and couldn’t have done the bearing any good- the fix was a new hub nut and lock off the tab properly. Maybe you have one of them cars. You will also find if a wheel speed sensor fails it is almost always the nsf

[Alxxx]

I changed the nsf on my R50 the other week at 93k.

[Superdry]

Changed both fronts at 34k and then 53k.

[Pip1968]

Wow, why so quick? Which model R53/56/55 and did you find out what caused such quick failures. You don't do what my wife does and drive over all the potholes and speed bumps do you - ?

Did you do them as a pair just because you can or should or just in case or did both fail?

Pip

[Whatsmyname]

When I had mine it was 35k miles. pain in the arse job with BMW only wanting to sell the complete hub.

[Dave.]

Elliot2000 said:

I also remember there were a a lot of r53’s out there with nsf hub nuts that wernt locked off properly on the thread from factory which caused long brake pedal travel...

How would that cause a long brake pedal?

Not being an arse, genuine question.

[Grumbly]

Play in the hub allows disc float, which knocks the pads off. Initial pedal pressure then just moves pads back into contact with the disc before any breaking is achieved.

[Elliot2000]

Dave. said:

How would that cause a long brake pedal?

Not being an arse, genuine question.

Exactly what grumbly said- the wobble in the hub pushes pads back so next time pedal is pressed it goes to the floor as it closes the gap

[Dave.]

Ah yeah, of course....

[Superdry]

Pip1968 said:

Wow, why so quick? Which model R53/56/55 and did you find out what caused such quick failures. You don't do what my wife does and drive over all the potholes and speed bumps do you - ?

Did you do them as a pair just because you can or should or just in case or did both fail?

Pip

R53 Cooper S. The front left was droning when I bought the car so replaced both. Front left again started rumbling at 52k ish so replaced them both again.

Car doesn't get used very often, only done 54k from new. I didn't used Genuine Parts (but not the cheapest) so maybe that was to blame. I should say that the car is totally standard.

My commute was over country roads, and my wife hates it therefore doesn't drive it so I can't blame her.

[R53rider]

Hmmm, strange. My wheel bearings have never been changed, now just clocked 110,000 miles. And it is not a standard car (now). LRA bushes, yes. Ball joints, yes. Top mounts, yes. I'm on a group with 3,800 R53 owners and front wheel bearings don't seem to come up very often as being an issue. If at all.