22 replies to this topic

[Teapot]

Right, we've met Rocky here, and although he's purring along beautifully we have to save him from the dreaded tinworm
before it eats him up, and sort out a few mechanical faults. Let's start with something simple



Saved a few quid thanks to R1minimagic (cheers, Dale). The previous garage had wrecked
most of the wheelnuts by using the wrong socket apparently fixed to a rocket launcher.

Now a few donor items from Huey (thanks, mate). At least one new tyre, plus standby brake discs, calipers and
pads, all almost new. So they'll be used as and when.



Rocky has been checked out at "our" garage and we have drawn up a list.
First jobs:
*New top engine steady bush DONE
*New front wheel bearings DONE
*New front shocks (rear were replaced late last year) DONE
*2 almost-new Yokos from Huey DONE
*Renew brake fluid & bleed brakes DONE
*Strip out seats, carpets & underlay to get a proper verdict on the floor & arches. Weld up as necessary (pix below) DONE
*Weld patch over hole in o/s sill DONE
*Weld rear subframe mounts & fit new subframe, applying Stoneguard & waxoyl before & after DONE
*Waxoyl all other areas not conflicting with body repairs next week DONE
*Weld up crack in front end of exhaust DONE
*Put seats back so Rocky can go to the body shop DONE
*Go for a nice sunny drive with Mrs T brrrm brrrm DONE

Next job, in body shop:
*Deal with rust (pix below) DONE
*Test for water leaks ... it'll rain soon so we'll do it then.
EDIT Well it's rained for 2 days and he seems dry enough DONE

*Meanwhile, at home, clean carpet and interior DONE

Next jobs, in garage:
*Complete waxoyling DONE
*Disconnect airbag & seatbelt pre-tensioner circuits. Replace all seatbelts with nice red mechanical-tensioner ones DONE
*Fit ciggy lighter socket for satnav DONE
*Get interior light to work properly STILL FIDDLING
*Fix malfunctioning cassette/radio unit, or replace it STILL FIDDLING
*flush out coolant & refill with correct anti-freeze DONE
*Replace underlay, carpet & seats & finish cleaning interior DONE

Next job: out with the t-cut and wax and on with that deep, deep shine in time for glorious summer.
Well, that's the plan, anyway.

Edited by Teapot, 23 March 2010 - 07:30 PM.

[Robert]

The previous garage had wrecked most of the wheelnuts by using the wrong socket apparently fixed to a rocket launcher.

Know that one well - the dreaded airgun...

I have a mixture of two different types of wheelnut on my Mini. I assume that was because of the previous owners garage wrecking nuts.

In fact, I wrecked one myself which had been torqued up so tight it is a wonder it didn't snap the stud

[Teapot]

Time to bite the bullet and the good news is at floor level the tinworm ain't as bad as I feared
and the bad news is the rear subframe won't last another year. You get the general idea from this.



This kind of break in the floor bitumen can let water in ...



And not sure what sort of bodge has been going on here ..



Small repairs in driver's footwell ... and rear seat frame (right)



The rest of this week's jobs are mechanical. My fingers are slightly uncrossed until the body shop takes over next week
EDIT Oh yeh, and the carpets & underlay had dried out in the car by the time they were stripped out today.

Edited by Teapot, 09 March 2010 - 03:10 PM.

[liam_italian]

If your subframe is anything like mine was (98 mpi cooper) then you might be able to save it. I put two bottom closing panels on mine and a small repair on the top closing panel, sandblasted and loads of hammerite.

[Teapot]

If your subframe is anything like mine was (98 mpi cooper) then you might be able to save it. I put two bottom closing panels on mine and a small repair on the top closing panel, sandblasted and loads of hammerite.

That makes sense, so I haven't done that In the absence of any more details about the Sportspack subframe (link) and because the subframe would have to be sent away for sandblasting, which would throw out next week's schedule in the body shop, I made an executive decision and asked the lads to install an ordinary new one and move on. But thanks, Liam.

I feel a lot happier now I've seen the floor and the underside. The lads are delaying most of the waxoyling until Rocky has been to the body shop, since I believe painters get very unhappy with cars covered in gunge, especially silicone.

Edited by Teapot, 12 March 2010 - 06:35 PM.

[liam_italian]

Looking quite clean underneath, what's the heelboard like?

[Teapot]

I'm sure it's good. I went down to check but Rocky's been sidelined today while they make some dosh working on "real" cars which they can turn over fast.

[minimadjonesy]

looking good but......we want to see Huey!!

[Teapot]

looking good but......we want to see Huey!!

So do I
* wipes away a tear and gets back to the job in hand *

[Teapot]

The rust is giving way to bright metal ....







I'm sure there is more tinworm in the scuttle but it will have to wait until the dash comes off. The main thing is to make Rocky waterproof. He'll be done by Wednesday Er, I hope

[minimadjonesy]

that's exactly where emma's MPI rusted on the scuttle! makes sure the waxoil or at least pint properly underneath it!

[Teapot]

I think the facts that the dash veneer is discoloured all along the bottom and that the head unit doesn't work properly are signs of water damage. I hope to find a good quality replacement dash and we need a cig lighter type connector for Mrs T's satnav. Later, later.

[minimadjonesy]

yeah, we had the same issue as well. But once the scuttle was fixed then there was no more water ingress. Shame really but keep an eye out for the dashes on ebay or even get a new one made with a custom design for Rocky! Sig lighter is easy to retro fit, got one wired in roughly on my mini.

[Teapot]

He's back from the paint shop





As soon as he was home I started seeing more bubbles but it's time to get him set up for the summer so Mrs T can have some fun.
There are a few more interior jobs to do next week and maybe we'll get another look at the scuttle behind the dash. For now, he'll do ...

Edited by Teapot, 17 March 2010 - 06:20 PM.

[liam_italian]

Looks brilliant