I'm new to the site, new to mini's, NOT new to cars. just bought and '03 cooper s, has only 50,000 miles. No repair records were kept and the prev. owner had duct tape under the hood... yeah. Replaced bad clutch w/ Clutchmasters unit, didn't have any problems (thnx to a couple threads here) but noticed after that the right drive axle was slow dripping at the gear box.
Not sure if the axle wasn't seated right, I re-removed it, can't tell if there's supposed to be a snap-ring.
1: is there a snap-ring on the Right drive axle at the gear box side?
2: is the only thing that holds it there the mid shaft bracket?
3: why won't the axle slide out of the knuckle? already tried dead-blow hammer and rubber mallet, getting ready to use a press, never had to on any other car.
4: changing to Redline MT 90 (75W90 GL-4)... good move?

Does anyone know if this is common at 50k? or if it will re seal one driven again, it only drips a couple times per DAY, so it's super slow, and the gear oil is clear.

p.s. after entire subframe and suspension removal/reinstall, can i take my mini to just any alignment place or does she require special treatment?

 

here's some photos of where i am at,

 

Bentley and RealOem show a circlip (lock ring) only on the left shaft.

For the right, it says:
remove int. shaft bearing housing mounting bolts
(remove PS fan first for access to bolts)
pry inner CV joint out of the transmission using suitable lever
support steering knuckle from below, remove pinch bolt,
slide steering knuckle down and off strut tube,
lift out drive axtle together with steering knuckle.
separate drive axle from steering knuckle.

Redline MTL 70W80 is the recommended substitute for a 2003 MCS.
Maybe MT85 would be ok in Alabama, though. MT 90 is probably a bit thick.
Viscosity for MTL and for the Texaco MTF94 (oem) is 10.6 @ 100C, 56 @ 40C
MT 85 is 12 and 64 respectively
MT 90 is 15.6 and 90.

 

Thanks Cristo, so would you suggest pressing out the right axle from the knuckle? I've never had one i couldn't get out with a rubber mallet before but it won't budge.

 

I haven't done it, but I'd assume so.
You might damage the front wheel bearing on that side if it's really stuck, but changing the wheel bearing hub wouldn't be the end of the world.

 

Thanks again, all worked out. All back together. didn't even break the wheel bearing, it just had no grease left at all and had bound up.

 

I too have a very slow leak at the same place on my '05 MCS, but there is a ring that is loose on the axle that I suspect is a dust cover & it being off has allowed the grease that was behind it to be flung out. If that is a grease/dust cover, what keeps it in place, or was supposed to keep it in place?

Thanks for any advice you can give.