Hey Folks!
Hopefully someone here can help me out...When placing the Mini Cooper in "Service Mode" to gain access to the engine, there are two bolt like tools that are used to hold the front end of the car away from the engine...In fact most folks use standard bolts for this application...but at one time these two special "bolts" were available from Mini as an OEM item...They are a bit unique as they had an unthreaded section and a step at the end if memory serves correctly. I'm also fairly sure they were different lengths. I checked a couple of part numbers I had but these don't appear to be available from Mini any longer...I am looking for pair of these OEM "Bolt" tools so that I can duplicate them...I have a machine shop and can easily make these exactly the same, I just need an original set to copy. If anyone here on the forum has a set they could loan me I'd only need them for one day to make measurements, and in exchange for letting me borrow to make the measurements I'll provide a free set of the copies I make up.

I know lots of folks have made up alternative devices that work perfectly...but since I'm trying to make a product I can provide to others, I'd like to start with measurements of an original OEM set if possible.

If I can find a set to copy I'll make them available at a reasonable price to the members of the forum...

Can anybody help?

Cliff Ward
Cary, North Carolina

 

I have a set that was made by someone like yourself, presumably modeled on the OE set. I can email you pictures with dimensions if that will help.

 

Yes, photos and dimensions would be a good starting point for me...here is my direct email info:

Cliff Ward
cd_ward@nc.rr.com

 

You can find the actual size someplace around here and order them from a supply house. I got a pack of 10 from www.mcmaster.com. Worked out fine for an alternator swap out.

 

Hey there,

The Bently manual states "Note-instead of special tools, two 100mm (4") M8bolts can be used to support the MFE."

The special tool have a section with no threads which makes it 1% easier to slide out the MFE but really not necessary.

 

The two bolts from Ace are a lot cheaper than the factory tool. Just use the bolts.

 

Thanks for the feedback folks...several wrote directly with dimensions and I now have the data needed to make up a set of these for myself when I finish my "honey do" list for the day and can get some time on the lathe.....

 

Can someone post the pitch of the threads on the M8 bolt?

McMaster-Carr sells a shoulder bolt with M8x1.25mm threads and a 10mm diameter, 100mm long smooth region for $5.20 each. Those of you with the OEM version - is this close?

part # 92981A314

 

nothing more useless than an old thread where the OPs final comment is "I have the answer now, thanks" but they don't frickin' share it.

 

Dear PrplPplEtr:

M8 x 1.25....as others have said, you can just use a bolt (8"or 10" long as I recall)...the unthreaded shouldered section is nice to have but not required.

In reality since the time of this thread I have been into my engine several times...found it just as easy to pull the front of the car off to allow free access to everything you might want to do while working on the front of the engine...I no longer use the "service mode" bolts.

Best Regards,
Cliff (original poster)