Most liked posts in thread: Rally Mini Cooper

I have all the rear suspension stuff thanks to MA members and Helix, next week I need to figure what I need from Emini parts. The only issue I have now is the roof and getting the rear glass and roof trim into CR on time. This is being handled by Mini CR so I don't have much control over that.

 

After 3 weeks of buying parts on Ebay (thanks to MA members) and Eminiparts for the dealer stuff I finally got to see the Mini at the weekend. Apart from some body filler on the left rear panel the mini was pretty much as I left it 3 weeks ago! Thank goodness the rally was canceled. The weekend was really hot after arriving from a chilly MA so I was sweating buckets working inside the large paint shop. First job was to repair the hole in the plastic fuel tank which I learnt form Youtube! Even the body shop guy seemed impressed that I filled the hole with nothing more than a soldering iron! Then I started on the right side rear suspension. This took most of Saturday until about 5pm as the shop was not a place I need to be when it got dark. Sunday I arrived early and finished off the suspension and brakes for the right rear. Lucky I used aluminium lateral/trailing arms as they sheared off causing no chassis damage.

Seeing as the brake fluid was gone I took this opportunity to replace the 130,000mile brake/clutch master cylinder. The brake MC was easy but the clutch MC was very difficult to remove and replace. Once I had that done I bleed the brakes and left the clutch for next weekend. Also I cleaned out the interior of broken glass and mud and tried to organize the various screws and bolts laying around after the body shop guys had removed the trim etc. I know there guys are doing me a favour working on the car but their working practices and mine are so different. I bag and label stuff whereas they just throw the stuff in a pile on the floor which most likely works for them.

I would post photos but the Imur site I use never works so if you chaps have another free image hosting site I can use let me know.

 

It's been a busy week at work so being Friday I thought I'd up date you good folks. The Mini mechanical wise is back as it was but the body work and ordering the parts from Mini CR is painfully slow. We still don't have a roof and the parts took 6 weeks to arrive only to find they didn't send the RS rear window! The other frustrating thing is I've ordered parts based on what the body shop needs only to find they have some of the parts and need other parts I didn't order...no one said this was going to be easy! Currently the Mini looks like Modfather's rat rod!

Thanks Dave for the Photo bucket link.

 

I think we have a roof! the new rear quarter glass came in form BMW but the LS was broken! now I have to wait another 6 weks for the another glass. drat and double drat

 

Gear box should be here tomorrow. Other than that I have nothing Mini to take in my checked bags, a first! Regarding the wing, M7 are heping me with that.

 

a little worse than my roll..haha

 

also I'm a sad man! I was excited this morning to strip down the Midlands box sent from CA. yeap I have a sad life! anyway armed with just a lowes home mechanic tool kit, drift and 32mm socket.
I had the box stripped down in 35mins! The owner said it was a howling like a wolf! the input shaft bearing was missing 5 ball bearings! plus the C plates were worn allowing the shafts to bounce around. The good thing is the syncho's look good and the casing is perfect. They'll off to CR in Feb as this trip the bags are full ot nail polish, rings and girls stuff to sell. No Tranny jokes Modfather!

 

It was so cold today I had to use a portable heater to keep me warm while I boxed up the wing, rear wheel arch moldings, end plates and spice rack shelving unit. AH yes I take everything down there! I'm looking forward to escaping the cold and hopefully get some work done on the Mini.

They did mention some dates for the 5 rallies but I'm sure I'm going to miss a few of them as the Mini is not going to stages without good suspension. I'm excited to have the gearbox rebuilt with straight gears in a few months depending on the IRS! LOL

 

Been quiet down here! I've not done much this visit as I'm stuck with an electrical problem. I had lights after the accident but after the painting nothing up front except 1 side light. I think a ground is bad somewhere as I only have 5.67V at the connector blocks. aarrrrrrgggggghh Also I'm enjoying the fabulous weather! I did order the gear set and Gripper are going to do an exchange final drive. I have a spare 4:9 which I will swap for a straight cut 4:2 . I hope by April to have the box rebuilt. Fingers crossed the Peugoet gears fit the Mini synchro's.

 

I forget to post these photo's, the casing gave the customs guy a scare when he looked inside my checked bags..lol notice how clean the casing is....pots and pans setting...hahaha M7 wing will be modified to fit the rear hatch. Next visit I hope to replace the gearbox with the straight cut set which I got for a steal due to the Euro exchange rate.

 

drat and double drat! the licence plate sticker that was destroyed when they swapped the front screen is needed to avoid the car being impounded if caught driving on the street. I did drive around but a few short trips so i was lucky. Now I need to get a lawyer to fix the issue because when I imported the Mini I used a passport that has since expired with the new one having a different number. Just another CR gem to deal with.

Well I suppose that gives me time to fit the checker decals etc. I know the checker decals are not everyone's choice but hey do protect the paint and give that WRC look.

 

The Spanish gear set showed up today. a very nice quality straight cut gear set. The gears are so small. I'll shoot some photos soon.

 

Here's the difference. First problem is the Mini 5th synchro ID is smaller so I might have to swap to Peugeot synchro's