Alright all, it's been a rough weekend. My Mini's clutch and slave cylinder went to hell and I had to have them replaced. Crappy and expensive, but I can deal, it's my car and I love my car.

I just got it back from the shop and there are a few issues.

1. Going into 1st and 2nd gear are less than smooth and can grind more often than not. I'm not sure if this is normal because things are new and "tight" or not.

2. The clutch pedal now has lots of play and not nearly as much pressure. Again could be due to things being new.

3. I'm getting lots more noise from the engine compartment in the cabin, which makes me think they forgot to seal or put back insulating parts in some areas between the two.

4. The shop broke a piece of trim and didn't fix it (plasitc wheel front driver side fender piece closest to the door) Do I call them on it or just fix it myself?

Thanks in advance for the help and advice!

 

You make them fix it. Also maybe they did not get all the air of slave cylinder. These have to be bled a certain way and if they shop is inexperienced with MINI's they will have problems. What kind of shop was it?

 

A local Firestone. I needed someplace close so I could get there easily. Also, I had to have it towed.

 

Sounds like it needs to be rebleed....
Fixing it is your choice(the trim).

 

take this to them and get them to do it right and fix the trim IMO. http://www.*********************/lib...#axzz2Hs8sJrcn

 

Yes, the slave needs to be done correctly. And they need to correct there damage. There are to many shops that don't know how to work on cars correctlyMini's especially and don't care. You just paid them a lot of money. Don't let them get away with it. You work for your money make them do the same.

 

Braminator is right on this one. Do you know if the clutch is oem?

 

No idea if the clutch is OEM or not. I'm going in tomorrow after work. They said their master mechanic will be there. I'm also bringing in that thread Braminator linked printed out for them. I'll also discuss the damaged trim and increased engine noise with them.

Thanks all!

 

Keep us posted.

 

It is amazing how the automotive industry as a group got us to think that it is almost ok receiving half assed repair and that we should walk away smiling.

I haven't see people handing out money to me ever. Have you?

Unless you had the cylinder that was bleeding or malfunctioning, there is no need to touch that thing.

Also demand to see their invoice for the clutch. I wouldn't put anything other than OEM back on. LUK makes many OEM clutches.

Judging from your description, I suspect that your clutch is not fully disengaging thus causing grinding noise. One of the two cylinders are probably not bled correctly or is leaking...

I would not drive much as you will be killing the synchros very quick.

How fuked up is this that they didn't catch this after the test drive?

If there is any mechanic in this forum, I am sorry but some of your fellow professionals are not really professionals but yet bunch o scums.

Sorry for my 2cents but it is down right scary these people work on your brakes... And tighten your lug nuts.

Claim your right to have the repair done correctly.

 

Wow. A little hostile are we? I understand your sentiment though.

 

You know it is just down right disrespectful how they treat customers. I work in health care industries where doctors can lose license to practice for life after spending a decade and hundred thousands of dollars who are regulated by state and federal govt.

To me as a professional, some of these mechanics are just dirty, ill minded and get away with stuff they should be jailed for. I learned to work on my vehicles on my spare time and I took some classes with these junior mechanics and it is down right sad. Hence the reason why I work on all my cars and family vehicles.

It is sad but folks your life depends on their repair. Choose your mechanics carefully.

 

I agree 100%. Excellent customer service is a rarity nowadays! There is no in between anymore. They either have it or they don't.
Lets see the outcome of this from Firestone.

 

From what you've said it sound like the slave cylinder was not bleed correctly. and the noise your complaining of is more than likely the boot around the steering column loose as I see people always knock it off when they pull the subframe down without disconnecting the steering rack.

 

And people talk about litigious society that we are becoming. Treat each other fairly and we all win. That concept is extremely incomprehensible for many selfish folks.

That Firestone is no where near par, IMO. They don't know what they are doing and the other sad part is they don't want to admit it. I have caught a few mechanics in the act and have them own their mistakes. I have no respect and zero tolerance for those kinds. Making honest mistake is one thing but this is out of line.

Sorry but post like this just makes me mad and sad as to what we as a country have become.

Hope the OP gets everything straighten out as it should have been to begin with.

 

#1 - Check where the shifter cables attach here into part no. 11 at the fire wall. (under the airbox ) Seen at least one of these cables slip out before causing what you describe....




#2 - Sometimes the clutch may be bit more supple than before. Hopefully they used the correct fluid. Put the clutch to the floor and jam the stick in between pedal and the seat. Leave it like that over night to work out any trapped bubbles.

#3 - Where the bottom of the steering column meets the floor at your feet, check the Inner and Outer part of that rubber seal....it's a PITA to get back into place when the subframe is back up, but can be done if you have access to a lift.

#4 - Sounds like the A-panel opening trim....How or why were they even in that area to break that part ?

 

Like I said before, I can not wait to hear the outcome.

 

Update:

So I brought it in after work....and they're keeping it til tomorrow so the head tech can look at it. I guess it's still leaking someplace and they can't figure out where. So, hooray, probably more bills. Hopefully it's something stupid and little that the head tech sees right away. I'm just kinda pissed they gave it back to me still broken, or at least not fixed correctly. We'll see what happens.

Looks like it's going to be a cold bike ride to work tomorrow...

 

They had slave problems
I changed a clutch this weekend
pulled it off put it back on and the slave needed to be bled, Bled it out
and its leaking needs a new one, Im just going to put one of my slave kits on it.
i have had enough of min slave cyls.
Ill also add the slave on this car is brand new as of 200 miles ago.

 

When you can, contact a member of your local MINI club and see where they go GL !

 

Update:

Hooray! Things are fixed! Just picked it back up. Clutch pedal is stiffer, trim is fixed, and the seal around the steering column is back in place. They even asked me to bring it back in next week to check on things.

I'm wondering if maybe their weekend guys aren't what you'd call "The A-Team", but whatever, got my car back!

Thanks again everyone for all the help and advice!

Also, Gray Raven, I've put off joining my local Mini Club too long, it's now moved to the top of the to-do list.

 

Excellent news. Good luck and enjoy.

 

Did they tell you what the problem was that they fixed?

 

I am glad it worked out but that isn't anything above and beyond. They barely fixed their own mistake, still below par for not coming up front with it and had you spend a day thinking about it.

It would have been easy for them to do it once. You would think they agree. But they just mess things up to **** u off or not bright enough to realize that it is actually beneficial to get it done right the first time.

 

Loose hose connection for the clutch. It was leaking and they couldn't get it to seal, so they got a new hose. No charge.