Well, *THAT* could have been bad...

Discussion in 'Classic Mini' started by ImagoX, Nov 25, 2014.

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  1. ImagoX

    ImagoX New Member

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    Took Fiona out for the first "real" drive today, a 20-mile or so run to do errands and head down to the office. Noticed a rhythmic clunking on the RH front wheel that I figured was just the (currently disconnected) fresh air duct rubbing against the wheel, but on inspection realized that THE LUG NUTS WERE ONLY FINGER TIGHT and were in danger of falling off!!:eek6: :eek6: :eek6:

    Luckily, there was a garage within a few hundred yards and they were nice enough to loan me a 17mm socket on a breaker bar - tragedy averted.

    Here's Fiona in her parking berth at my current office space:

    [​IMG]
     
  2. whaap

    whaap New Member

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    Glad to hear you got lucky. Who put the wheel on the last time?
     
  3. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Dodged a bullet there Matt. When you work on a car & have lots of things off I find making a check list & a pre-flight inspection is a good idea.

    Back when the earth was still cooling I had the exact same thing happen to me, except my LF wheel left the party without me.
     
  4. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    #4 Firebro17, Nov 25, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2014
    Whoa, you're one lucky dude....
    I never leave home without all this stuff.

    I had a car that lost a left front wheel about 25 years ago. The tire shop didn't tighten the lug nuts and it came off in their parking lot when the guy headed out for a road test. It cost them a complete paint job after all the replacement body parts were installed, as well as another new left front tire.
     

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  5. Friskie

    Friskie Well-Known Member

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    Nathan needs to add a 'would'a , could'a, should'a' counter up in the left hand corner of the screen. How many times has EVERYBODY driven off while forgetting something with varying results. Lucky catch on this one!
     
  6. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Hey lucky a couple dollars on a lottery ticket might be in order !! :Thumbsup:
     
  7. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Just don't go walk on ice.
     
  8. ImagoX

    ImagoX New Member

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    Found the oil leak, too... one by one I shall KILL all the remaining bugs.
     
  9. Stefanie

    Stefanie Well-Known Member

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    Sheesh...bet that guy learned his lesson...


     
  10. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    All engines will weep a bit of oil, it's in their nature. An A series lump isn't a Honda & for that be grateful. :)
     
  11. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Not proud to say... I've done that trick. Hopefully one time was enough to teach me.
     
  12. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    If you drove any distance at all, I'd strongly recommend replacing the lugs on the affected wheel, it's not worth the risk especially on a car like that...
     
  13. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    Some what similar. I was swapping to me winter wheels and saw the right rear was wobbling up and down. Turns out the bolt from the lower control arm to the hub was loose. I'm talking unscrew it with your fingers loose. The alignment guys didn't torque it.
     
  14. GokartPilot

    GokartPilot Well-Known Member

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    Not to jack the thread but I forgot to latch down the hood on my 62 Studebaker GT Hawk after showing it off one day. Two miles down the road and up came the hood, taco'ed it beyound repair, took 8 months and a trip to York to get a replacement.

    Glad to hear nothing was damaged, keep'um tight :Thumbsup:
     
  15. ImagoX

    ImagoX New Member

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    Thanks, guys... all seems well. Oil leak was a faulty fitting for the oil pressure gauge - replaced with a simple galley plug until I can get a replacement. I'm also weeping coolant, apparently - when I removed the thermostat housing to put on the needed spacer for the cabin heater plumbing I broke the seal on the old gasket. Think I have a spare around here someplace...
     
  16. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    He was given the option to split the cost of my damages with the shop owner, or show himself the door... He payed up. He was a good guy, he just had one if those days. Luckily no one was hurt.
     
  17. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    I have done the same thing. I have learned one should always make sure ones nuts are tight before leaving the house!:eek:
     

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