Didn't mean to embellish, but looking at the repair estimates first 3 items, it actually works out to about $1,650 Canadian with Sales tax and shop charges to fix 3 PS hose leaks that weren't even leaking till they replaced the PS pump under the 12yr. recall/extended warranty and I guess we are talking about Canadian Dollars so its about $1,250 USD but the Canadian dollar was until a couple of years ago around par with the US dollar and I haven't seen any dealer service price differences, good or bad since.

For laughs and giggles, see attachment of recent dealer repair estimates. This is just 1 of 2 estimates. How about on the same estimate the $748.29 plus shop charge and tax to replace a leaking $50 Oil pan gasket. What's that, 1 hours work including a oil & filter change?

At these obscene dealer service repair rates, I am starting to figure out why some locals are junking their MINI's after the warranty expires!

 

That is a stop-gap fix....get it swapped out.
A worn part, especially one related to steering is nothing to screw with. Lubing it is a short term measure to allow continued use. Once Plastic is WORN OUT...lube will not replace any missing parts, just allow it to slide reduce further wear.
Find one ASAP.

 

The steering ujoint that attaches to the steering rack is all metal, no plastic. It's the only part on the lower steering shaft that I've had to lube.

Which part is plastic?

 

Yeah...dealers like to scare folks....
A couple screw clamps on the hose end to back-up the OEM style camps usuallyis a decent stop-go measure....
If the leaks are so slow, you are not adding fluid....I might just wait. Hate to spend $$ on a car that might get t-boned and totaled out....investing more than its bluebook to fix everything is a no go for most...but it must be "good enough"....
Leaks can be more monitored....often combinedwith other jobs, since the seals and gaskets are cheap....it almost all labour....I even tried to combine jobs of my own when I did my own fixes....MY time has value too.
What's lost in the discussion here is time has value....
When the time (or $$) put into keeping a car means it no longer makes you happy, it's time to move on....
Sure...you can scour junkyards all over the planet and keep driving old cars, but that is time...and time is $$...
At some point, any car becomes iffy as a daily driver. Be it a "k-car", Ford escort, or Chevelle...hey, it takes all kinds...say a "yugo" with classic plates once....
Yes, folks are emotional about their cars...and proclaim they "love them"...
But when your car and working on it effects your jobs and relationships....it's time to move on.
Your car is transportation. Sure...you can keep a 2nd or as many hobby cars as you want if you have the $$$, but when you become a liability to you friends cause you are asking for rides, and living in a basement saving $$ to do so...then it's a problem.
Reality is, all good things come to an end. Mature people understand.

 

Here is a picture of the u-joint. Just a standard all steel u-joint.

I would imagine a person could even rebuild it if it got too bad. I bet my local driveshaft rebuilder could match it up and get one for me.

 

I check every day, I've never seen any that cheap I've got a JCW engine in the garage waiting for a shell !

 

Where are you located mega?

I would gladly pm you if I see one

 

Pittsboro NC

 

Thats too far away probably to ship a cheap car from . Especially one from WI that has a pretty good chance of being rusty.

Good luck finding one mega.

 

In Chesapeake VA. Might be worth a call.



Mini Cooper S for parts - $1
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/pts/5678061410.html

 

Wish that was in WI! My color too.

 

You're right, I don't recall seeing any plastic on my lower steering U joint but I agree with ZippyNH, top performing steering along with brakes, suspension and tires are not areas that I ever cheapen out on and why the one repair that I did authorize was the $600cdn to replace the lower steering column shaft.

Talking about the leaks that the MINI dealer highlighted to me a couple of month ago, its worth noting that one of the PS hoses, sweats a tiny bit but doesn't drip leak and the car does not currently drip any oil, coolant or fluids. Even the left inner CV joint rubber boot is cracked but not split at this time. A bit of repair overkill on the Dealers part, IMHO.

 

Bought it for my daughter for her 16th birthday, her first car, first mini I have ever drivin. This is the car I have been missing for the last 25 years. Cars of today all look the same, same personality. My fav ride has always been a 67 bug. The Mini is all that and then some. People who have tricked out bugs have never considered anything else. I have converted. The first Gen without all the extra electronics, head lights in hood, perfect sports tour ride for those of us who like to do our own work. Sucks my daughter prefers I stay out of her car, that is untill its time to fill it up. I will be buying myself one SOON !!!!!