Took my 02 base model to Checkered Flag Mini and they said I need the following parts replaced.
Strut bearing replacements
Power steering hose/line: return and supply lines are seeping.
Cooling fan assembly replacement.

I asked would it be better to just replace the stunts instead of doing just a repair and they said No.
Total price to repair is 3200. Could and average guy do the repairs and as far as struts what would you
guys recommend.

Tia,Mike

 

By "strut bearing" do you mean the upper strut mount on the fronts? If so, that's a do it yourself job. Power steering lines can't be too difficult but idk. Cooling fan assembly should be easy as well.
All depends on your will to get your hands dirty. Do some searches on how to do these repairs and hopefully that'll give you an idea of what's involved.

 

Those all sound like pretty reasonable DIY jobs. Might take a full weekend just because you have to take off a few bits to get to the fan, and you have to pull the front struts off to get to the upper strut mounts.

If it were me, I'd do the fan, and the power steering lines, and pay someone to do the suspension work (as long as it's a reasonable rate) because I've change the shocks and springs on the mini before and it was a bit of a disaster. If you do decide to do the suspension work, use penetrating oil, heat and patience with the challenging nuts and bolts. I ended up snapping the pinch bolt that secures the strut to the wheel housing, couldn't drill it out and it cost me near a grand to get it sorted out at a shop.

 

Strut mounts are separate from the strut so you cannot just replace the strut. The bearings can be bought here. This DIY tech article can help with the replacement as well as provide useful info on how long the job should take and how much it should cost. You can get other parts here and check out all of our DIY tech articles here.

-Luccia

 

Get yourself a Bentley manual. Covers all this. Look up the part numbers at realoem.com and then look around. Pelican posts nice DIY. ECSTuning is usually pretty cheap. Mass. MINI has good pricing on dealer parts... You will make some mistakes. Maybe bleed a little, hope you think that sounds like fun.

 

Here you go.

First get a Bentley manual: Great price and we have free shipping.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2073657/




Then:

R50 R53 up to 3/2002 and post 3/2002 upper strut mount / bearings: See what you prodcution month / year is on the door jam/.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...alignment.html



Power Steering lines : Parts and DIY

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hose-pics.html





Cooling fan: R50 -3/2003 You will need the 17101475577 version

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-cold-out.html




And

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...direction.html