Bendy Toy,
When mine went, it was repaired using a different bearing race than what was fitted at build, available from BuMW, with bigger balls in it. I don't know the details but a buzz to CW on 01305 269370 will doubtless get the info and the bearing numbers. The larger diameter balls give a bigger bearing surface and are reputedly stronger. That's what I was told and I choose to believe it. The bearing doesn't run in the bevel box oil, it's a sealed bearing and that could be a contributing factor for it's so called weakness. There's a lot of load for a single bearing. Two would have been better but would have meant a higher build cost - and more weight.
Touch wood mine's fine now and hopefully will continue to be.
I'm afraid to say there is no "starting to go". If you've got axial play at the rim, it's gone. There used to be a tolerance quoted for warranty purposes but in my opinion it's entirely an accountants yardstick.
In the beginning I got 1 - 2mm play when cold but as soon as it had warmed up (a run to Tiverton, about 14 miles) the play disappeared which was very frustrating until it developed into play all the time when it was repaired.
Best of luck.
Fluff.
When mine went, it was repaired using a different bearing race than what was fitted at build, available from BuMW, with bigger balls in it. I don't know the details but a buzz to CW on 01305 269370 will doubtless get the info and the bearing numbers. The larger diameter balls give a bigger bearing surface and are reputedly stronger. That's what I was told and I choose to believe it. The bearing doesn't run in the bevel box oil, it's a sealed bearing and that could be a contributing factor for it's so called weakness. There's a lot of load for a single bearing. Two would have been better but would have meant a higher build cost - and more weight.
Touch wood mine's fine now and hopefully will continue to be.
I'm afraid to say there is no "starting to go". If you've got axial play at the rim, it's gone. There used to be a tolerance quoted for warranty purposes but in my opinion it's entirely an accountants yardstick.
In the beginning I got 1 - 2mm play when cold but as soon as it had warmed up (a run to Tiverton, about 14 miles) the play disappeared which was very frustrating until it developed into play all the time when it was repaired.
Best of luck.
Fluff.
