question number 1) So, my sunroof decided that if only needed one arm to lift itself up in the morning. Well.. that would be fine and dandy if it still sealed as tight as it should. Now that its winter, ice is expanding in the small gap that is it leaving (and i mean small) and the sunroof isn't sealing all the way, which is leading to air whistling, Not to mention that when i open the sunroof, it is only getting pushed up with one arm instead of two. It looks like the screw that holds the arm in place has broken off inside the frame of the window, but i'm not rally sure what i am looking at. the question: does anyone know how to replace these lifting arms and if this is a common problem?

Question number two) All of my daytime running lights on the drivers side do not work. This includes both the front and back side markers (blinker and red light) as well as the front bulb. What could cause this? note that my fog lamps and all headlights, tail lights, and primary blinkers do still work.

question number 3) I am running on 16 inch 205/45 tires, with the Aero kit, what should my clearance be under my bumper? i have less than 2 inches. Probably more like on inch but i haven't actually taken a ruler to it to see for sure. I am trying to figure out if this car is sitting at stock ride height or if it is lower than usual, its a common issue on these garbage New York streets

Question number 4) i get a slight shake in my wheel at about 65 mph. When i get up to 70 or so i do not feel it, but when it happens i can feel the whole car is off a bit. I hit a bad pothole a few weeks ago but i would expect that to cause a constant shaking, not just one at a specific speed range. the car just started pulling to the right a little bit over the last week as well which concerns me.(hit the pot hole on the drivers side, not the passengers)


Theres more but i'm sure this will be plenty for now, Any help and input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Ryan

 

Can't help with the other questions as I'm relatively new to the MINI world. As for your shimmy at 65mph, that pothole probably bent the rim and or knocked a weight off. Check for a bubble on the tyre, inside and out, as that is a usual after effect of a bad pothole. As for the pulling, it may have knocked the car out of allignment- that's best case scenario. Have the suspension compenents checked to see if anything is damaged.

 

Thanks a lot for the quick response, i did briefly check the wheel and tire for signs of damage but it sounds like maybe what i need to do it take it off and check both sides. Looks like all the weights are still there though so i guess that eliminates those as the cause.

 

Not sure what is going on with the sunroof....many people don't use them during the winter cause when it gets cold they can fail to close or open right due to ICE. I would wait till it warms up, and see if it works right....it might need some grease. Anything more than that might need a pro to look at. Your tires are 4.8% too small.....about 3 MPH off on the speedo... try this site http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html It will let you calculate the tire'd diameter and its effect on your car...that is atleast part of the reason your car is so low. The tire alone will lower your car almost an inch. As for tire vibrations....it could be warped rim, internal tire dammage, or just a lost weight. Since you started havving hte issue after hitting a pothole.....might be time for a tire or rim...running 45 series tires in the North can get pretty $$.....

 

Thanks for the wheel info, i am going to look to buy a new set of wheels and tires for the spring time so i guess when that time comes i will also do a full alignment and check out all the suspension components and tie rods, etc.
as far as the sunroof issue, it broke in the fall and i never thought it would be an issue so i let it be until i started to have the wind noise issue, The problem is that the arm that lifts the sun roof up in the first place is completely broken off. It looks like there is only one screw holding it on but i dont really understand how it works since the arm then retracts when the window slides back. i guess i have to go to the dealer, im just trying to avoid paying big $$ for a seemingly small issue

either way, thanks alot for the input

 

Stock on a S with 16' rims is 195-55-r16......Many including myself are running alternate sizes....since there is a limited selection of sizes in the OEM size. do a quick search.....you will find multiple posts on the options.....the common ones are within 1.5% of stock......so the speedo and gearing remains accurate. I would try to close it, and leave it shut....I know for a while many sunroof repairs that the dealer did involved replacing the entire unit.....kinda $$$. I would definably get the dealer too look at it and give you an estimate first...might be s simple crew or roller that is missing. If you have kept it shut and are hearing windnoise....i'm thinking some ,osture is preventing it from closing all the way....ICE. Wait till it warms up, or park it in a heated garage, then you should be ablr to close it again....by pushing on it maybe, using the button, or using the crank handle for it located in your tool kit in the trunk by the battery (the foam box). Good luck!