1st Gen R53 Cooper S Steering wheel tilt slipping

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by altruego, Apr 19, 2011.

  1. altruego

    altruego New Member

    Oct 25, 2010
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    I've got an '04 S and recently the steering wheel tilt lock has been slipping. It holds when the steering wheel is in higher positions. But it's not holding very well in lower positions.
    I leave it higher for daily driving but like to have it lower for track and AutoX.
    Any ideas on what could be going on here and how it could be fixed?
    I searched around the forum but couldn't find anything. My apologies if I missed it.
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
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    You didn't miss anything in a search, this is one of the first posts I've ever seen on this subject and believe you me, I've read a LOT of posts. Wish I had something more to offer on this.
     
  3. altruego

    altruego New Member

    Oct 25, 2010
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    Fixed it!

    Friday evening... a couple glasses of wine down (liquid courage) and I'm ready to tackle this project. What could possibly go wrong?!?!
    Surprisingly... everything turned out great.
    Here's what I did to fix it.
    Popped the knee plate down (takes a pretty sharp tug, see picture)...
    took out 2 screws holding the cowling around the steering column together...
    removed the lower cowling...
    and there was the adjustment bolt!!!
    tightened it approximately 1/3 turn and put every thing back together.
    It worked!!!:Thumbsup:
     

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  4. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    :cornut: Another mechanical victory for our side.:Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  5. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    Wonderful & you did it without using any duct tape. Good on ya! :Thumbsup:
     
  6. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    I know this is a 1st Gen, but it is good to know. The 2nd Gen might me similar.

    Jim
     
  7. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

    May 5, 2009
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    I guess I should check mine, as it has not been moved in years from the lowest position.

    Mark
     
  8. SilverCarbonFiber

    SilverCarbonFiber New Member

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    This thread is the reason I was introduced to M/A. It was such a pain to have the wheel lurch up and throw my MINI and I sideways with no warning. Thanks for the heads-up repair advice.
     
  9. rum4

    rum4 Club Coordinator
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    good job and glad you got it fixed. Maybe you could do a full write up on the repair that way if others have the issue it would in the library here
     
  10. Ray Parker

    Ray Parker New Member

    Nov 24, 2020
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    This worked perfectly. One of the nicest 10 minute fixes! Bring your torx bits for the screws.
     
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  11. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

    Feb 24, 2013
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    A blast from the past. Glad everything worked out for you and Welcome to Motoring Alliance the bestest MINI forum on the interweb.
     
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  12. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Jul 31, 2009
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    Welcome to MA!
     
  13. Ray Parker

    Ray Parker New Member

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    Thanks!
     

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