ok... so it's ONLY 30F today in CHGOland... not exactly ideal weather (even saw a few flakes ) ... once I figured out how to pull the knee panel down and realized the AUX plug was not as far as I thought.. I was able to plug it in and the AUX is operational .

The only thing I need to do now is fish it down and make the plug appear under the console (in the cubby area) like this. I just need a little help loosening the downtubes so I can pull it out to drill. For now, the cord is hanging underneath.

Almost MOTD ready

 

Slide down tubes down push to the side (its enough room), feel around a little light tugging there are a few clips and the whole piece slips out

(05-06 completely different than the photo in the link)

 

ok.. I'll have to try that... after I get some feeling back into my fingers

 

I hear ya, did MCS brakes when it was 0 outside and garage was a toasty 28 and I'm being told I "have" to do brakes on "the other car" to which my response was why couldn't anyone say anything about this LAST week when it was warm out.

 

yup!

at the very least, I can use my Vision:M next week for the Volo Run

 

I'm going to try to get over there around 1pm or so. This will be my first outing with the Chicago MINI people and I'm looking forward to meeting everyone. I'm planning on having an M7 strut tower brace by then (I'm deftly afraid of strut tower mushrooming as I've hit a fair number of potholes living in the city). If I can figure out how to install it before then I'll just come over to hang out a bit.

I have four jack stands and a hydraulic jack as well that I can bring along (not for the strut tower brace of course!). I also have a torque wrench I'll bring as well if anyone wants to torque their wheel bolts.

I'd also love it if someone could show me an easy way to lubricate my alta sway bar bushings - they're starting to squeak again.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

 

V70R
I have the M7 STB on my MCS and love it. Truely a great piece of mind item. Should take you about fifteen minutes to put on. Make sure you torque the bolts on the strut tower to 20 pounds.

 

Thanks for the tip - it doesn't look to be too difficult. I have the cabrio, so I figured I'd gain a bit of structural stability, and maybe a bit less understeer too.

 

hey V70R! talk about potholes.. did you see the pic of Gabe's rim???


ouch

I should be there also.. I have a cabrio also. didn't go with the STB, only the SRP's and the USS. If ChicagoMini has a twisty nearby, you could take my MCC for a spin to check it out... or just take a spirited turn somewhere

 

Damn pot holes, after seeing Gabes wheel, I dont feel bad about replacing, just the tire. There is a great corner just down the way.

 

A front Strut brace will add understeer, has about the opposite affect of a rear sway bar.
I got 4 new tires last week cause 30k into the set I had 3 get destroyed by potholes and even worse the two lane wide strips. that are either rasied or gouged out.

 

That must have been one nasty pothole - I had a NG Saab 900s in the late nineties that used to bend rims like that pretty regularly. I went to school at Mizzou at the time, and I actually got the city of Columbia, Missouri to pay for a new rim on one occasion. I narrowly avoided a pothole on North ave. yesterday near Clybourn that would have taken out every part of my front suspension. I'm thankful for the nimble nature of the MINI - to the cops I probably appear to be intoxicated from all the swerving to avoid potholes .

I've heard the USS system does wonders for the stability of the cabrio - I'd love a ride in yours to feel the difference. A few guys have both the USS and the STB, and they say it makes the cabrio pretty tight.

 

I just ordered an intake kit for my MINI and Karen tells me she buying me something for my MINI for my birthday next Sunday. She's a great girlfriend.

 

Got my intake kit today, it's sooooooo coooooooool I can't wait to out it on and start her up. Feel like a kid again.

 

And... your package arrived!!

 

Happy Days indeed. Thanks Paul look forward to seeing you on the 29th. I have one more new toy on the way for Sun Mod Party.

 

Hello Gang,

Please review the guest list and know that more are welcome and if you can't make it, you will be missed.

Paul
V70R
Ords
MiniMac2005
Motor On
PiercedMini
Mauberley
Fiveten
French toaster
DrkSilver163
Jughead
630660
Blockh102
MINI Mark

The event details are on the 1st post of 1st page. See Ya anytime you want from 11am to 5pm-ish. I'll have a cooler of pop just pop. Maybe those of us here early can order pizza. My cell is 312-388-4263 if you get lost.

 

I will be in hopefully around 12 or 1 or so.

I'm thinking of swapping a ham radio out of my old car and into my MINI. Tom (W3IWI) installed the same radio I have in his MINI and I'm surprised that it fits in the center console, but he's powering the radio using the leads to the lighter while I'm thinking of just going through to the boot since the battery's there. Also, I don't want to make it a permanent mount or lose the meager storage space there, so I'll probably stow the radio body under one of the seats and mount the detachable controller on the dash somewhere (velcro perhaps?). I would use a similar antenna setup as Tom, though.

The only thing I find tricky is routing the power and antenna cables. I'd like to route them out of sight but am timid about pulling panels and what-not. Hooking up the power leads to the battery might also be tricky. I suppose it just seems tricky because...well, I've never personally done this before. So I figure this weekend would be a good a time as any to try. Can anyone help out?

 

I would think anyone with lot's of stereo mods, would a great help.

 

Go ahead and pull me from the list, I'm skippping town for a few days

 

so are you still coming out after your bump Blake???

if so, should we bring cake???? I like cake!! We need Jenny to make cupcakes again... or Steve to make a modded MINI cake

 

I will be there. I am going to clean up the MINI today, leave it in the shop over night and take it out tomorrow. The weather is WAY to nice to miss this gathering!

 

I'll be there tomorrow demo'ing what happens when you have a black car, a years worth of driving and the reasons why Clear Bra is needed.

 

Motor On, will be missed, skip safe and enjoy the sun shine.

MINI Mac or Steve bring a cake?

Off to clean up the garage for the party.

 

I'll be stopping by on the motorcycle (The weather is WAY to nice to miss riding).

I don't think anyone would want to eat a cake that has done a hundred miles on the back of my bike first ;-)