The Classic Mini’s front-wheel-drive layout transmits power from the gearbox to the front wheels via driveshafts fitted with constant velocity (CV) joints at each end. The CV joints allow the driveshafts to accommodate the vertical movement of the suspension and the rotational movement of the steering while maintaining a constant drive speed to the wheels.
This is a hard-working arrangement, the inner and outer CV joints on each side must cope with every pothole, every steering input and every application of power simultaneously.
CV Joint Wear
CV joint boots (gaiters) protect the joints from road contamination and retain the grease that lubricates them. Split or perished boots are the most common cause of CV joint failure, once the boot fails, grease escapes and road dirt enters, and joint wear accelerates rapidly from that point. A clicking or knocking noise on full steering lock under power is the classic symptom of a worn outer CV joint. Inner joint wear tends to produce a vibration or clunk felt through the car under acceleration.
CV joint boot condition should be inspected at every service, replacing a boot is straightforward and inexpensive, while replacing a worn joint requires considerably more work.
Drum vs Disc Brake Hub Assemblies
The front hub and driveshaft assembly differs fundamentally between cars with front drum brakes and cars with front disc brakes. Drum brake cars use a drive flange with integral wheel studs as the front hub, with the drum fitting over it. Disc brake cars use a separate hub assembly carrying the disc and caliper mounting. The wheel bearings, oil seals, spacers and hub nut arrangements also differ between the two brake types.
When ordering any hub, bearing or driveshaft component, confirming whether your car has drum or disc front brakes is the essential first step.
Wheel Bearings
Front wheel bearing kits are available for both drum and disc brake configurations. The drum brake kit uses inner and outer bearings with a spacer between them on most fitments. The disc brake kit uses inner and outer bearings with an inner spacer arrangement. Oil seals, spacers and washers are available separately.
The hub nut also differs, drum brake cars use one nut specification with washer and split pin, while disc brake cars use a different nut with a separate retaining collar and split pin. Confirm whether your car has front drum or disc brakes before ordering any front hub or wheel bearing component.
MGOC Spares Range
The MGOC Spares Classic Mini drivetrain range covers complete driveshaft assemblies, individual inner and outer CV joints, CV joint boot kits with grease and clips, drive flanges for drum brake cars, front hub assemblies for disc brake cars, wheel bearing and seal kits for both drum and disc configurations, individual bearings, oil seals, spacers, hub nuts, split pins, staked collars, wheel studs and all associated hardware.