1st Gen R52 Cooper Convertible Most liked posts in thread: New-to-me R52

Thanks guys.

Let the mods begin...



Pulley, plugs, belt, tensioner bushings and stop are all in. Still waiting on the strut mounts but they should be here this week. Also discovered that my LCA bushings are toast (no surprise) so they are on order as well.

Regarding the clutch noise, I've decided to hold off and see how it acts for a while. The noise was a one day thing and has not returned. The car had not been driven much in the past several months, so I'm hoping that daily use will work out whatever was groaning. The clutch functions fine. It's been a while since I've driven a gen1 car....I do remember the clutch of my r50 being somewhat heavy, but this clutch is quite heavy/stiff. Other than that, engagement is fine.

So far I'm enjoying the extra zip from the pulley change. It's great to be back in a MINI.

 

IE camber plates are in. Still fighting with the lower control arm bushings but one side is nearly done and back together.

 

An update....

New Wipac driving lights....


New shift knob....the original one had peeling chrome and sharp edges...ouch...


Decided to try an Ireland Engineering exhaust. Sounds great, but may end up being a bit loud for a cabrio....will drive around for a while and see if we get used to it.



Also replaced a failed upper motor mount...twice. Ordered the cheapest one from amazon and installed it only to have the car vibrate worse than with the failed mount. So I ordered another aftermarket brand that appeared to be an oem part with "MINI" ground off....no more vibrations.

 

It's been a LONG time since I've updated this thread....so here we go...

I've replaced and added a few things recently in prep for MOTD. I wasn't sure if I would be able to go this year since I missed last year (flu) and had no reservation anywhere. A spot opened up at the Tuskeegee Motel, so now its a go!

First, I decided to replace the crank pulley with an ATI just for good measure. One less thing to worry about...



Within the last couple of week....new shocks (FSDs), H&R 19mm Swaybar. The original shocks were trash. Can't believe how much better the car rides now.



And just today...new intake...



I'm having driveshaft issues....I think. Last fall the car began making a single "click" sound every time I'd take off or decel in gear. I remember way back when I had my r50 I had a driveshaft replaced under warranty for the same symptom. I tried retorquing the axle nut a couple times....would fix it for a short period but would eventually come back. Finally decided to get an aftermarket driveshaft and just replace it. It cured the problem for several months, but recently returned. Going to re torque it one time to see what happens, but then probably will be looking for a driveshaft again....but not a cheapo next time. Any of you run into this click issue before? Most of the suspension bits have been replaced since this issue popped up, so I'm certain it's not that. Also, motor mounts look good....so it about has to be the driveshaft (driver side).

 

Thanks.

I did the lca bushings on the car....cut the old out with a saws-all. Pressed them in with a homemade tool made from threaded rod, washers, nuts, etc. it was a ***** but got the job done.

 

Great....something else that is prone to flying apart down in there! Thanks for the advice. I will put that on my list.