11 replies to this topic

[minispike]

Hi to everyone in the Mini Forum. I have just purchased a 1985 Mini Mayfair. Its in fair condition for its age and is just what my daughter was wishing for. I have found the front carpet damp. Having remove the carpet, I have found a very rusty floor and have made a couple of nice holes in it. Surprised to find this on a car that was MOTed only a few months ago!
I have a friend with a MIG welder so not a show stopper. The brakes were very poor, so my first job was to have all the wheels off. Now I have found on this site a very useful picture of where to place the axle stands? However,to put the axle stands in the right place ,where do you place the trolley jack to jack the car up with out the trolley jack being in the same place? Where are the safe places to jack, the sill jacking point have be removed when new sill have been fitted
I have managed to raise the car and had one front wheel off. The bleeding nipple has been rounded off, typical.
Any ideas. Its a 1985 model with front discs. Am i into buying a complete new Caliper? One other thing i have noticed is that under acceleration or de acceleration, I feel and hear a clonk through the steering wheel. Is this engine mounts?
Any advice is very welcome. Its 25 years since i have got my hands dirty on a car. Looks like i have my work cut out for me in a very cold garage.. The joys of owning a Mini )... Lots more posts to come, this is a great forum. cheers

[BoboGib]

Welcome to the Forum.

As for Jacking, I find if you bring the Jack Forward slightly from where you want to put the axel stands works for me.

If the bleed nipple is rounded, you could try a pair of vice grips. If you can get it out then new bleed nipples can be ordered from minispares. If it snaps, you can get them drilled out and helicoiled but it's just as easy finding a second hand caliper.

[Bungle]

it's for my daughter, yes we have heard that one before

next you will be buying her a fiesta as you want to keep the mini for your self

[foxfan]

Welcome mate. you've come to the right place for info on fixing minis. Sounds like you've discovered some of the joys already. Keep us updated on progress and get some pictures of your daughters mini on here

[Twincam]

Check behind the dash boards and also around the windscreen for any holes (could be where you leak is coming through)

Good Luck - we need pictures

[minispike]

Welcome to the Forum.

As for Jacking, I find if you bring the Jack Forward slightly from where you want to put the axel stands works for me.

If the bleed nipple is rounded, you could try a pair of vice grips. If you can get it out then new bleed nipples can be ordered from minispares. If it snaps, you can get them drilled out and helicoiled but it's just as easy finding a second hand caliper.

Its very nice to be a member of the forum, I fear some darks days ahead with my daughters Mini. Its great that there is such a great mebership, willing to pass on guidence and valued experiences. Thank you for such a quick response. The jacking issue is made a little worse as my trolley jack is to high to get onto the subframes with the car being two low. I have some ramps, so i will put the front wheels up first and place stands in suitable positions. I am soaking the bleed nipple overnight in WD40. I will try and file a couple of flats onto the nipple surface and try some mole grips. I guess the next job will be the removal of the caliper itself. The nut/bolts on the caliper look even more difficult to remove, yet more WD40! Do you have any thoughts on the clonking,backlash i feel through the steering wheel while changing gear? Haynes manual on order, i can then find where the engine mountings are. I am told you can change them without having to remove the engine. I will post some pictures of Casper (My daughters Mini Mayfair) very soon.

[minispike]

it's for my daughter, yes we have heard that one before

next you will be buying her a fiesta as you want to keep the mini for your self

OK, so she did not have to twist my arm! I don't think i have ever bought a car so quickly. My aims to please my daughter , Sophie with her dream Mini has put me a little on the spot. The car has 6 months MOT and has stood on a driveway for 6 month, prior to me buying Him, yes him, Sophie has named him Casper!
I have a deadline of mid March when she wants to drive Casper on a Mini Cruise, from Huntingdon to Hunstanton by the sea. Guess where i will be all day tomorrow! Must get some heating in the garage!
Cheers Best regards MiniSpike

[minispike]

Check behind the dash boards and also around the windscreen for any holes (could be where you leak is coming through)

Good Luck - we need pictures

ok thanks , I will take some pictures of "Casper", the mini is a HE. No sign of rust holes around the windscreen. All the carpets are out, so time for a gentle hose and patience. keep you posted Cheers MiniSpike

[minispike]

Welcome mate. you've come to the right place for info on fixing minis. Sounds like you've discovered some of the joys already. Keep us updated on progress and get some pictures of your daughters mini on here

Hi and thanks. I will take some pictures and post them. I will be spending tomorrow trying to loosen the RHS caliper bleed nipple. Mole grips next option. Oh the JOY! Be in touch.. cheers!

[samsfern]

haha, for your daughter, i bet, lol

[miniman24]

Welcome mate. you've come to the right place for info on fixing minis. Sounds like you've discovered some of the joys already. Keep us updated on progress and get some pictures of your daughters mini on here

Hi and thanks. I will take some pictures and post them. I will be spending tomorrow trying to loosen the RHS caliper bleed nipple. Mole grips next option. Oh the JOY! Be in touch.. cheers!

Bring on the pictures! Sounds like a good running style project, good luck!

And welcome to TMF

[Ethel]

Agree it's worth looking for water ingress higher up if the carpets are soggy, around the fresh air vents is a popular rot spot. A vice is good tool for little seized screws but find a drill bit shank to slot inside the nipple or it will crush.