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Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S(R56), and Cabrio (R57).
It's December 28 and so thought about time I threw my snow tires on. Have my 17 year old learning the ropes. Get to the left rear wheel and notice the rotor slid off the lug bolt position. A quick check on the interwebs suggest I should have a T50 bolt in there, but obviously I don't - see pic. I've put the winter wheel on in the meantime but I wonder if this means that there is no real braking on that wheel. Previous owner mentioned having the rear brakes replaced just before sale as they'd seized up a bit since the car wasn't used much.
Advice appreciated. Luckily the car isn't a daily driver.
You don't need it!
It generally seizes & most folks leave it out.
It's only there to hold the rotor lined up with the wheel bolt holes while you change wheels.
It's absence has no effect on braking.
If you do replace it, use anti-seize on the threads & don't over-tighten it.
That bolt just holds the rotor in place during the mounting process ......
most folks try the removal process 'poorly' and give up then drill 'em out or some such (been doing MINI brakes since 2004 and NEVER had this bolt beat me but maybe I just work on better maintained cars)
Without it, just be sure the rotor doesn't get cocked when you put the wheel back on ..... the wheel holds the rotor in place so long as everything is flush/flat.
If I'd thought it through a bit harder I'd have realized the lug nuts held the rotor in place too. There was a brief moment of panic followed by a quick post to check on the situation.
The winter wheels are used Bobbets and came off an R50/53 that sadly demised with collapsing strut tower. A quick test drive and no vibrations so they have maintained balance - I never got around to putting them on last year. My TPMS didn't protest but I didn't think these wheels had sensors in them. Maybe the TPMS is still thinking about it.
An unbeknown to me, 17 year old has actually added air to the regular wheels when the TPMS demanded - wonders will never cease!
An unbeknown to me, 17 year old has actually added air to the regular wheels when the TPMS demanded - wonders will never cease!
(Thumbs up goes to the 17 year old!)
Beware though, "wonders never ceasing" may apply in the other direction, as well!
(Meaning: the teen may be just as surprised with you not expecting her/him to check the tires when requested)
