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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.
Well I finished my front end work today. Upgraded control bushing. Plus changed the inner ball joint along with the wheel hub.
Then I tackled the rear. Removed the left rear brake caliper an hub. This is what I found. Brake pad on the back side was seized. An looked like hell. My mini was in Germany for a while. I found this out by looking at the maintenance records.
Hopefully I will be getting the sebring out of the garage today (new lower control arms and oil spray undercoat) and brining in mini #2 for an examination of it valve train for damage. If none then I will be doing the timing chain and walnut blast on the valves.
Well I finished my front end work today. Upgraded control bushing. Plus changed the inner ball joint along with the wheel hub.
Then I tackled the rear. Removed the left rear brake caliper an hub. This is what I found.
Brake pad on the back side was seized. An looked like hell. My mini was in Germany for a while. I found this out by looking at the maintenance records.
Wow, that looks terrible. Glad you are refreshing everything.
Went for a drive up Mt. Lemmon, Tucson AZ.
Was very quiet with almost no traffic. First time taking the "new" MCS on some twisties. Must say, I like the LSD........behave!
Loaded up my box of Roast Turkey and Gravy to head into work thins morning (Work Potluck today) didn't drive as "spirited" as I normally do ... all that clanking and clinking going on... but my drive home... well we will see.
The original battery and last one dealer put in both lasted only 2.5 years. My 2-mile commutes to-from work are really hurting the recharge cycle of the battery. I am out of warranty now so just went to local Autozone and got a Duralast H5-DLG that is OE fit. Managed to do the swap without hooking up to a power source and didn’t lose any radio presets. It was probably less than 5 minutes between removing the old battery and putting the new one in, so I guess the computer didn’t completely die on me?
The original battery and last one dealer put in both lasted only 2.5 years. My 2-mile commutes to-from work are really hurting the recharge cycle of the battery. I am out of warranty now so just went to local Autozone and got a Duralast H5-DLG that is OE fit. Managed to do the swap without hooking up to a power source and didn’t lose any radio presets. It was probably less than 5 minutes between removing the old battery and putting the new one in, so I guess the computer didn’t completely die on me?
That's crazy that the batteries die that quickly. I had a mile commute to work on my 2002 Altima and after 11 years I replaced the battery just because....I have a 12 Altima bought in 2011 as well as a 12 Quest bought in 2011...Both on OEM battery. Wife has less than a mile to work....I am about a mile as well....I have a 1991 MR2 and it is on it's 3rd battery
The original battery and last one dealer put in both lasted only 2.5 years. My 2-mile commutes to-from work are really hurting the recharge cycle of the battery. I am out of warranty now so just went to local Autozone and got a Duralast H5-DLG that is OE fit. Managed to do the swap without hooking up to a power source and didn’t lose any radio presets. It was probably less than 5 minutes between removing the old battery and putting the new one in, so I guess the computer didn’t completely die on me?
Interesting... Im getting about 4.0 to 4.5 years out of a battery currently. 4.5 with the Mini battery... about 4.0 ish with the AZ battery.
Loaded up my box of Roast Turkey and Gravy to head into work thins morning (Work Potluck today) didn't drive as "spirited" as I normally do ... all that clanking and clinking going on... but my drive home... well we will see.
Motor On!
haha be good on the way to work... it can get messy... but on the way home... ole!
I also have a Manic tune which runs the fans for a few minutes longer than the stock tune, which I think contributed to draining the battery quicker. Bottom line is I just dont drive the MINI around enough.
The MINI OEM battery is not very good. I got about 3 years out of the battery on my 2012 and a the replacement OEM battery is no better. We got about 4 years out of the OEM battery on our 2004, which I replaced with a NAPA battery which is going on 12 years now and showing no signs of quitting. The 2004 has been used mostly for grocery runs of 1 to 2 miles all this time. It’s not the driving distance; it’s the battery MINI uses.
At over 202,000 miles I replaced my intake VANOS solenoid. I figured I might as well do the exhaust one too, so that was ordered and will be here on Friday.
Well I got my headliner installed today. Holly #@!%. Those damn clips on our panels are a pain in my ***. If there was a tool to remove them I would buy in a second. Liner came out great. No more sagging an stained headliner. I installed a charcoal black liner instead of the gray. Looks great.
Well I finished the right rear side on my R50. New hub an rotor along with pads. Did not look as bad as my left rear. My new seat covers will be here tomorrow. Other than that everything is complete. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and be save.
PLEASE DO NOT DRINK AN DRIVE..
I replaced the rear tailight lenses and wired a second reverse!!
Lights swapped for UK passenger (our drivers side) lens with clear center, US passenger lens with clear center, and new LED bulbs with anti canbus falsing, on and working New lenses
Lights swapped for UK passenger (our drivers side) lens with clear center, US passenger lens with clear center, and new LED bulbs with anti canbus falsing, on and working New lenses
Very nice! Did you run a new wire across, or code the lights? I’ve been thinking about this, since the reverse light only on the one side stinks for output. I do have the rear fog light option, however....
you have to disconnect the rear fog light if you have it, I do not, from what I know it is not an available feature in the US. Disconnecting it will cause a canbus error. I ran a wire across the back end under the plastic fascia trim the lights are on, super easy on my 2010, was not an obvious option on my '09
