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General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
One of my employees wanted to race calling my MCS slow. He has a Dodge Dart (I know right hey thought it was fast).
We lined up leaving work and I smoked his ***, and never had to hit fifth gear.
Loved it. I like when people think we are slow in our Mini's
Today began some major surgery for Egan. In the process of replacing the clutch, but first I must remove a bunch of stuff. This is how far I got today, which the subframe was the last bit.
Today began some major surgery for Egan. In the process of replacing the clutch, but first I must remove a bunch of stuff. This is how far I got today, which the subframe was the last bit.
He looks like he sneezed and all hell broke loose!
Good luck with your project Snaps.
Whipped Mini's brakes into shape with the installation of some free to me carbon ceramic pads for the rear calipers which the stock pads were fried crispy and crunchy during the track event.
would you like them crispy and crunchy?
we then went for some cheap and good real Mexican food as an excuse for bedding in the new pads to celebrate Cinco de Mayo
replaced the expansion valve, evacuated and recharged the AC....also replaced air filter, recently replaced radiator fan resistor, and cleaned condenser.
My helper gave out in the first hour!
Today began some major surgery for Egan. In the process of replacing the clutch, but first I must remove a bunch of stuff. This is how far I got today, which the subframe was the last bit.
Are you removing the entire engine for clutch replacement?
replaced the expansion valve, evacuated and recharged the AC....also replaced air filter, recently replaced radiator fan resistor, and cleaned condenser.
My helper gave out in the first hour!
Is it hard to evacuate and recharge the AC? I see kits available from auto parts stores and was wondering how hard it was to do.
I've been working too much lately to get anything done, but at least I'm getting some good roadtime and getting to know the car much better. My last job was in New Bern NC and I took the quicker route to get there --- too much freeway as 40 is quite boring...
...got there in 8hrs 45mins, but decided to take the scenic route home and enjoy some good driving --- took secondary roads through the farmlands of eastern NC and then had a total blast in the mountains!
Took 13hrs to get home!
LOL
Hopefully next year I'll make it to MOTD for a proper sortie and have some real fun.
One thing that happened is the "powder mirror" on my sun visor plopped down and startled me...
I finally have a week off and I've got a rather long to-do list.
Starting out today by installing a WMW motor mount then a bunch of other basic maint. related stuff and several cosmetic things.
He looks like he sneezed and all hell broke loose!
Good luck with your project Snaps.
A 7 hour sneeze I would add.
But thanks for your words of encouragement. It's been a long time coming because I was originally going to do this the previous winter, but Egan was driving alright enough to drive for short periods. The clutch would slip in the higher gears at different times, and sometimes when disengaging the clutch pedal it felt like it wasn't always engaging the gear (a hesitation sometimes happened, especially if I shifted fast).
In the process of doing this, I am also replacing the inner and outer balljoints, the lower control arm (will have a new power flex bushing for the LCA) on top of the clutch. The clutch itself btw is the Valeo kit, flywheel included.
I do have a rear main seal leak, so that of course will get replaced (input shaft seal, and clutch fork bushings too), and after removing the intercooler, I noticed a bit of dry oil in the front of the engine below the supercharger. My hope is to have this done by next weekend since I won't have much time during the work week.
As far as balljoints are concerned, it's good I ordered those parts since the bolts do move, and are no longer rigid, so definitely is the time. And while I don't have these parts, the driver side tie rod end also has a bolt that is no longer rigid, so I'll have to consider replacing those soon also. The passenger side is fine, which I think is interesting given the miles on Egan at this point (162k).
Originally Posted by dnsherrill
Are you removing the entire engine for clutch replacement?
Nope, don't plan to. I know some folks have done that (I think because they're doing more stuff), but my plan to avoid removing the entire engine since it is very much possible to do so. I am using MOD Mini's YT channel as a guide, plus the Bentley manual to get me head around all of this, and my Dad is assisting too since the Mini is at my parents' garage.
I was going to replace the supercharger, but after consulting with Way, he suggested that since my supercharger still is working fine, I should hold off. Even with the miles on it, I only hear the sound of a healthy supercharger, so that'll be something for the future then.
Wished I had the mini with us.
10 days trip to san Francisco for some R&R , rented a car and drove the panoramic HWY, to stenson beach, boy about 40min of breth taking ecolibrium trolling drive and every minutes missing my mini for that drive...
Next time it will be a drive 1500miles with mini towing in the back of the car.
A 7 hour sneeze I would add.
In the process of doing this, I am also replacing the inner and outer balljoints, the lower control arm (will have a new power flex bushing for the LCA) on top of the clutch. The clutch itself btw is the Valeo kit, flywheel included.
As you get a little older you'll learn what took some of us way too long to realize. "When you drop something on the floor and bend down to pick it up...
Look around and see what else you can do while you're there before going to the trouble of getting up again".
You're doing the right thing by taking care of everything you can while you have access. It's worth the extra time in the long run.
Just parked mine behind the house. Got back from 4 days in fabulous downtown MOTD about 5pm after putting ~1100 miles on it. Taking a break for a few days is the plan. (click on the thumbnail for the hi-res version)
Photo courtesy of Killboy.com
Smashed in the front of my car when another car turned left from the oncoming lane RIGHT in front of me last Tuesday ("May Day!, May Day! literally).
Slammed on the brakes but not enough time or distance to stop.
It's repairable, but was declared totalled with the cost to repair more than twice its "value", not including buying it back, getting it re-titled as a wreck, fixing it, specialty post wreck inspection, uncertainty about if more is wrong than the estimate, etc.
It was in great shape with 6 speed conversion, Quaife LSD, Koni Sports, great summer and winter wheels/tires, rear sway bars, Miltek header and exhaust, etc., so I wanted to
hold on to it for another 5 years or so, but that's not going to happen now.
I'm going to pick up a 2009 JCW Clubman in great shape with only 27K tomorrow.
Smashed in the front of my car when another car turned left from the oncoming lane RIGHT in front of me last Tuesday ("May Day!, May Day! literally).
Slammed on the brakes but not enough time or distance to stop.
It's repairable, but was declared totalled with the cost to repair more than twice its "value", not including buying it back, getting it re-titled as a wreck, fixing it, specialty post wreck inspection, uncertainty about if more is wrong than the estimate, etc.
It was in great shape with 6 speed conversion, Quaife LSD, Koni Sports, great summer and winter wheels/tires, rear sway bars, Miltek header and exhaust, etc., so I wanted to
hold on to it for another 5 years or so, but that's not going to happen now.
I'm going to pick up a 2009 JCW Clubman in great shape with only 27K tomorrow.
I am sorry for your mishap, especially after the 6-speed with LSD conversion.
Just abrasion on left inner upper arm from the airbag.
I initially wanted to repair it, but the amount is just too much for what I would be left with. It's getting towed far away by the insurance company today.
I don't have the space, time, or motivation to part it out.
Best car I've ever owned.
Wife loved it, too.
I test drove a nice clean low mileage 2009 JCW clubman last Friday and am picking it up tomorrow.
First thing will be to get some good summer wheel/tires
(have my eyes on Enkei PF01 17x7 +45 with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S in 215/45/17).
Will use the factory wheels for winter and change the all seasons on it now for winter tires this fall.
Saved the compact spare from my R50 (works with the JVC Clubman if you add a 16 mm spacer -
Detroit Tuned sells one), and my Raceseng shift **** (need to buy a different adapter for $20),
and the vanity plate to re-use on the new car.
Sooner or later, a bigger rear sway bar, and better stainless steel exhaust when the current one fails,
and Koni Sports or Bilstein Sports when the current shocks go (that will probably be a while since
there's only 27K on it so far).
Otherwise not planning on any big mods. It'll be plenty fast enough.
1. Found a nice flat hard plastic plug/cover, to plug the hole in the back window where the wiper used to be.
2. Installed a set of wheel studs with nuts. I have a hard time with 1940's (at least!) designed parts on a 21st century car.
