I was poking around the bottom of my car today and found the right side of the gas tank strap has rusted and snapped. The paint looks ok and first glance, but peels off in sheets revealing more rust. I already have a new strap on order and sprayed all the bolts with Kroil. It’s pretty weird nothing else under the car is rusty.

 

I replaced mine late last year (02 Cooper). I noticed something didn't look right one day while driving off in my other car. It ended up being the passenger side bracket had rusted through.

 

There is a set for the pre 7/2004 Gen 1 MINIs and the post 7/2004 . Must easier to change out on a lift and they hold it up with a transmission jack. New straps comes with the screws which are held with a little circlip so its easier to install.



Fuel Tank Tension Strap R50 / R53 -7/2004 Part #16111500998

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/16111500998/




There are also little expansion rivets that you will need.

#3 in the diagram.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/16136753087/ES2677304/




------------------------------------------------------------------


7/2004+ R50 R52 R53 They went to the two strap design.



#5

Fuel Tank Tension Strap - Priced Each x 2 Part # 16136765008

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/16136765008/


&


#6 Expanding rivets

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/16136753087/ES2677304/



Thanks and I hope that helps.

 

I tackled the project today. I’m happy to report everything went better than expected. The total time burden was 45 minutes.

A few items of note for the early cars:

1. The exhaust has to come off.
2. The heat shield has to come off.
3. The e-brake cables have to be removed off the calipers.
4. The positive cable has to be removed from the clips.

I can now see a reason why this part was redesigned. It looks like the later cars tank straps are a lot easier to replace.

This is a picture of what the old strap looked like after I was done. The only thing holding it together was rust and paint.

 

[QUOTE=Nicefeet;3912361]I tackled the project today. I’m happy to report everything went better than expected. The total time burden was 45 minutes.

A few items of note for the early cars:

1. The exhaust has to come off.
2. The heat shield has to come off.
3. The e-brake cables have to be removed off the calipers.
4. The positive cable has to be removed from the clips.

I can now see a reason why this part was redesigned. It looks like the later cars tank straps are a lot easier to replace.

This is a picture of what the old strap looked like after I was done. The only thing holding it together was rust and paint.


[What if I simply remove the cross section and use the side straps like the R56 model?]

 

I went a little overboard on the rust protection

 

Wow that looks great!!

 

LOVE the ORANGE !!!

Looks VERY SHARP !!!!!!

Cannot overdue rustproofing