So, when my train comes tonight I find that my MC Titan has a big-a$$ nail in the passenger side rear tire. I then realize that I have NO IDEA how to change a tire on a MINI.

It was dark anyway so I will do it tomorrow.

But, the instructions in the manual are clear as mud. So, I am hoping that some of you will help me out and give me a quick How to Change a Tire on a Mini lesson so I can get the Titan rolling again.

Any advice or tips would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks to all.

 

righty tighty, lefty loosey. Once the car is on the ground again, make sure to re-torque them again.

It helps to break the bolts loose when the car is on the ground.

good luck with your tire change.

 

Thanks. Kinda wondering how, exactly, the spare gets released from under the car.

 

go into the boot, pick up the carpeted cover, then you will see a tool kit, pull out the black plastic handle, remove the tool kit and set on the ground. screw the black plastic handle, about 10 inches long, into the fitting which is under the tool kit whenyou remove it. Once that is secure, depress the quick release things on the side of where you screwed the handle in. Make sure you have a tight grip as it will all if you don't. It will lower out of the car, then unscrew the handle, and you can access your spare from the underside of the car as it will be on the ground now. I wish I had pictures, but that is how it is done. Your manual should show you pictures.

 

Take your time. Use good lighting.

see
http://bobodyne.com/web-docs/robots/...ire/index.html

Block the tires with something heavy like a 4x4 wood or brick so the car doesn't roll and make sure you use the jack on a flat surface otherwise it could slip.

Is the tire flat completely? If so change the tire. Do you have AAA auto club? If so you can call them to get a tire change done for you.

If the tire is not flat you can pump it up and try to drive to a shop that can do the repair. How is the nail? Sticking out of the tire a little or a lot? Do you have non runflats or runflats? You can drive on runflats to the shop. Might be harder to fix a flat with the runflat.

 

That's the part that's freakin' me out...WHAT will FALL if I don't have atight grip on it??

Also, what size are the lug nuts. I'm gonna bring a nice breaker-bar just in case the tool kit lug wrench is too feeble?

Thanks.

 

Couldn't live with myself if I didn't change my own dang tire.

The nail is nearly in the side wall so the tire is toast. We are talking flat, flat.

I am debating replacing just the one tire. I do not wanna pay the dealer $115 for what is a $75 tire but I also don't wanna use another brand.

We will see. I am hoping that another local tire shop has the tire for less than the $115.

 

Cool. That's a great link. Thanks.

How does the spare get back in place after the new tire is on?

The reason I am so clueless is that I do not have the car to look at right now.

Tomorrow will be my first chance to see the area Up Close & Personal.

Thanks again!


[QUOTE=minihune;1760795]Take your time. Use good lighting.

see
http://bobodyne.com/web-docs/robots/...ire/index.html

 

the spare will fall to the ground, only about 12 inches or so. Just hold on to the black handle well, and you will be fine.

the lugs are 17mm. I use a 24 inch breaker bar, but on the road, the OEM one works fine.

Do you have a torque wrench? To tighten up the lugs properly when you are done?

 

you use the black handle to pull the spare back in placed when done, pull hard, and it will clip into the spring loaded bit you have to release when removing it. It just snaps in, all you do is pull with the black handle.

 

Got it. Thanks again to everyone.

I hope the Titan will forgive me for making him spend the night outside in a parking lot.

First flat that I've had in, geez, I'd say 10 years about 150,000 miles of driving and happens to my Mini.

Bummer!

 

One more thing that can happen is that the wheel may become fused to the hub from rust or other bond. If that happens, you have to knock it loose by whatever means you can, such as kicking the tire.

If you have a small clean puncture, you might consider getting a plug kit and air compressor, which will allow you to do a temporary repair to the tire without needing to swap in the spare.

 

I have those repair kits in all my cars. Used them once for a screw that went through my Parada Spec 2 tires at a track day. that was 15 months ago, tire still holding the same pressure since then, has not leaked ANY air in that time, despite hard driving. After that day, member Johnna on the board here let me use his kit, I have been sold on the repair kits. I would never have thought they would work so well.

Also, On the MC, the R50, they come with a wheel block as part of the tool kit.

 

Man, it's a pretty good sized nail and its right where the inner sidewall meets the tread. Think that would be a good idea?

Also, which brand did you use?

Thanks.

 

can you get a picture of where it is?

I just picked up a kit at Auto Zone, they are all pretty much the same. The screw I pulled out of my tire was about 1/4" wide, so unless it is a gash, it should work. It might be worth a try first before you buy a new tire. Worst can happen, it does not work, and you are only out a few bucks for the kit.

this is smilar to the kit I have...

 

Totally worth a try.

Now, is your repair thingy done from the outside or the inside of the tire?

No way to get a pic right now as I am in my office.

I am pissed as I intended to get rid of these tires soon and now I am in the position of having to replace one of them.

 

Plus, I've always wanted to have a little crappy air compressor so this gives me an excuse to buy one...

 

You repair the tire from outside while the tire is still on the rim. In fact, I never even took the wheel off the car to do it, just turned the front wheel to the side. Backs might be different so you can get a good angle, taking it off the car might be a good idea.

The repair was instant, no waiting time, filled up the tire, and all has been good ever since, never once needed to put more air into it, still holding steady at 36psi.

 

I have one of the cigarette lighter plug in ones for each car as well...but at home, I have a 50 gallon air compressor...goes up to 160psi...woot!!!

 

Titan is Home!

Got me one of those flat repair kits. I was smart enough to get the smaller size since the nail was in fact a drywall screw. The bigger size would have been way too large a diameter and would have been a ***** to ream out.

Even the smaller size was a very tight fit. Also picked up a $20 compressor (how can you argue with $20?).

So, my Mini's where he should be. However, I am somewhat dubious about the repair: The screw went into the last block of tread before the inner sidewall. No tire shop would have fixed it, but so far so good.

I'm gonna ponder it over the weekend but I am leaning toward getting 4 new tires that have a bit more bite.

The Titan and I thank everyone who helped me out on this.

 

awesome, that is great news. I was dubious of my repair as well for about 2 months, did not drive the car too hard once I got it home. Well, the last time I drove it on the repaired tire, I was running up the Western Dragon here in Colorado, and really pushed the tires very hard in the corners...not one problem.

as long as you are not in the thin part of the sidewall, you should be more than fine.

congrats on the fix, I hope it holds.

 

If you still have the OEM tires they may still be covered by the original warranty. Keep in mind that the MINI dealer can't/won't help you. The tire dealer that carries that brand (Goodyear for both the Goodyears and Dunlops) will replace your tire free or on a pro-rated basis for the tread wear.