Gearbox rebuild bearings
Turbo Mini Forums

Just wondering what make of bearings people use for full rebuilds. I was going to order the Minispares kit for about £250, they seem to be OEM quality, but quite expensive. I've also noticed a Minisport kit for £170, which also includes 1,2,3rd gear needle roller bearing, and lock tabs. Why such a difference, I'm assuming quality, but how do you know what's good or not.

Also what baulk rings do people use. Genuine, none genuine or competition. Or check and reuse old ones?

It's for a helical A+ box with quaife ATB, for about 120-130ft/lb turbo motor with 2.9FD

Class C 3rd Place Avon 2011 14.18 @101mph

Just go for the expensive bearings. Who knows what the minisport ones are, even if they are 'branded'.

Also, probably get the most expensive bulk rings from minispares too. At least that way you stand a chance of getting parts that arn't utter shite, and then have to rip the power unit apart to replace for the slightly more expensive ones.

Oh, and if you have decent second hand bulk rings, just use them. I've been saving the best I have for a proper gearbox when I come to build one.

Edited by minimole23 on 28th Mar, 2013.

If you are using standard helical gearset use standard baulk rings. Also the word is that the minisport bearings are non-genuine.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

If you have the part numbers for the bearings, maybe try a local bearing shop.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Class C 3rd Place Avon 2011 14.18 @101mph

Also what determines good used ones. Above 0.8mm Clearence on cone? Look & feel? Also are the new genuine ones, actually genuine? I assume there no longer in production, so are they made to genuine spec, or last of old stock. A rover/MG trader as some of the last factory rover stock. Are these better?

Edited by alaskanow0 on 29th Mar, 2013.

Class C 3rd Place Avon 2011 14.18 @101mph

I threw away nearly all the bearings inthe kit from minisport. The rollers on the layshaft were ever so slightly shorter. Maybe ok on your average runabout but not on a 200lbft turbo engine.