Yes, WD40 does smell delicious. 'It's a floor wax.' 'It's a dessert topping.' 'It's a floor wax.' 'It's a dessert topping.' 'It's a floor wax and a dessert topping!'

Zip

 

I had the same problem with my 02 MC. I watched the gap grow to the point where the hatch wouldn't lock. When I tried to adjust the hinges, the drivers side hinge snaped. Fortunately it was covered under warranty.

 

We are talking the hinges at the top near the roof not the latch near the bumper right? I checked mine (2003 MC)
and could see no rust - living where I do everything rusts with the amount of salt they use in the winter. When they rust does the hatch bind? Mine seems to open and close with no problems.

 

Good info on this thread. My left hinge broke at 94,000 miles (Car bought in July 2005). The design is really pretty poor. The hinge is a piece of sheet metal wrapped around a steel pin. When rust collects between the pin and the sheet metal hinge, the sheet metal no longer pivots on the pin but instead, it stays put, so when you open the hatch, the sheet metal part of the hinge bends back and forth until eventually it breaks, which it did in my case. I've owned hundreds of cars in my life and I've NEVER replaced a trunk hinge. Stay tuned.

 

Just to follow up on the hatch hinge problem with my '05 MINI, here's the latest. As previously mentioned, the hinge is a poor design, with a sheet metal hinge wrapped around a steel pin. Rust builds up between the pin and the sheet metal hinge, the hinge then becomes solid and the sheet metal part flexes back and forth until it breaks. The good news-repaired under warranty. Once again the guys at Classic MINI came through and kept my MINI running along at a high rate of speed. Thanks again to Joey1320 for the heads up on this problem. Remember, my car is just over 2 years old and had this hinge failure. Oil your hinges on a regular basis. They're really up in an enclosed area so not easy to oil, (which makes you wonder how they got rusted) but you definitely do want them oiled. Happy motoring!

 

Does anyone know what is covered/done by the dealer to fix this problem? Or do they just replace it with the same sort of hinge set up? Thanks.

 

I looked at-but did not closely examine-the old hinges and the new ones and they looked about the same. I'm sure that if they are properly oiled the new ones will be OK, but, as previously mentioned-IT'S A DUMB DESIGN. Also, I didn't see anything in the manual about the need to oil the hinges, and chances are the dealer didn't do it when you took your baby in for general serevice. If you can't get them fixed under warranty-and BMWMINI should honor that-they cost a little over 20 bucks apiece-replace them both. The service Tigers at Classic MINI replaced mine in about a half hour or so. You have to drop the headliner to get at the hinge to body mounting bolts, but the rest is easy. Two (maybe three) guys to mount the hatch back on the new hinges. Happy motoring!

 

Just had to replace the hinges on my 03 Cooper.
Was having problems closing the hatch - seemed to be out of alignment. Took it to Fairfield Mini in Ct and was told that this is a common problem with Mini's - and that I would be better off taking it to a body shop as they would be sending it out to a shop to repair.
The hinges themselves cost only $31 - but the labor involved was 4 hours - got the pix to show the steps that the shop took.
Contacted Mini customer support as I felt that this was a design flaw as I have owned all sorts of cars, 36 to be specific, and never have had a hinge fail!
I was told by Mini USA that this is attributable to normal wear and tear.

Not very happy.

jayski
03 Cooper
VR?VR

 

I'm not trying to bring back old threads, but I have had the same problem. I have an 06 with 50k on it. One hinge broke and it cause the other to bend and broke a hydaulic cylinder. I was not very happy.

 

The rear hatch hinge just broke on my '03 mini (50,000 miles, no more warranty). I was in the grocery store parking lot holding my hatch, just flabbergasted. In general, I LOVE my mini, but it is LAME that this wasn't a recall if it happens a lot.
Any advice on a do-it-yourself fix? Posts of the photos from the shop work?
Thanks

 

Ah... this is funny. You should have taken a photo and send it to MINI.

 

My hinge on my 06 just broke! Should have read this thread earlier

 

eeek!

note to self: lube my hinges!

i'm sorry to hear yours broke, but your update to this thread is what brought the thread to my attention ... so thanks for that, you may save me a hinge someday!

 

In case you missed my first posting and good for a bump...


The proper lubricant to use is Würth HHS 2000.

I'm going out in the garage and spray some more on the hinge again!

 

Glad to help Dealer service said "What is it with these lately?!"

 

02 traded recently ... 0ver 80,000 miles .. bought off the lot in 02

no hinge problems

never lubed 'em

sorry

 

I was having a little trouble with my boot lately, but I thought it was just a weak hydraulic arm or something. But then yesterday the right hinge on my 05 MC snapped in two, when I was trying to shut the door. I looked like an idiot wrestling against the hydraulics to get the darn thing closed. I just found the hinge part number and am going to try to have a local guy fix it up for me. I feel a little better knowing this isn't an uncommon problem - I've been having a string of bad luck lately, mostly not MINI-related.

 

OK, so my hinge on the hatch broke on my 05' R50. Brought it to Knauz Mini and was told it's $700 to replace them, $600 not painted.

So I bought a pair of hinges from the Penske website, took a look at the headliner, gave it a slight pull and found the inner nuts where the hinges are mounted. It's a simple 13mm socket on a small ratchet for the inside nut and a star wrench for the outside bolt, I replaced them in about 15 minutes. Saved $700...

Jim

 

autox thanks for the how to. I'm hoping never to have to replace mine, but it is great to know that it is not a bad job.

 

I love my '06 dearly, but.... this Spring the left boot hinge broke, and also broke a strip of plastic along the window in the process. Cost $800+ to have this fixed. NOW the right hinge is bent, and I'm on my way to having it replaced as well. I contacted our dealership (have bought 2 minis there) as well as MiniUSA. Not a happy motorer - I think the company should have replaced this as it's definitely a defect, and mine is no longer under warranty.

 

Checking mine in 5 min., using white grease in a spray can.

 

Great, yet another "common MINI problem"! Where do you get that "Wurth" stuff?

 

Do a google search for "Wurth HHS 2000". And then click the shopping results. Can be purchased through Amazon.com. This German grease is by far the BEST solution for preventative maintenance on these hinges. I'm going out this morning to grease mine again!

http://www.amazon.com/Wurth-HHS-2000.../dp/B0002XRDLE

 

Thanks for the link. Just ordered a can. Pricey stuff!!

 

Thanks for the link Thompson. Just ordered a can for the garage shelf. Much cheaper than replacing hatch hinges.....