19 replies to this topic

[pickupapickup]

In a bit of a pickle, I need some tools for the garage, however obviously my mini is all imperial, can you get away with using metric tools on imperial bolts? Or is the .5mm difference on some sizes going to hinder the chances of tightening to a safe standard? Cheers !

[bunch1980]

I would be interested to know same to, just gettin my mini soon and had bikes for years and just got a nice socket set from halfords of course in metric! doh

Would rather buy another set than ruin anything!!

[Pooky]

If you own a Mini it is definately worth you getting a decent set of imperial spanners and sockets. You'll probably ruin the heads before they're correctly tightened if using the wrong tools.

Bear in mind not everything is imperial on a Mini and it various according to which Mini you have!

Edited by Pooky, 17 March 2010 - 09:00 AM.

[lrostoke]

Although some metrics are pretty close and I do use both, I recommend getting some imperial spanners.

7/16" AF
1/2" AF
9/16" AF
5/8" AF

Definitly those 4, get combination spanners ring and open ended

Edited by lrostoke, 17 March 2010 - 09:21 AM.

[bunch1980]

Although some metrics are pretty close and I do use both, I recommend getting some imperial spanners.

7/16" AF
1/2" AF
9/16" AF
5/8" AF

Definitly those 4, get combination spanners ring and open ended

Thanks probably best off just getting a few that are needed to rather than whole set!!

Would sockets be better? so can use torque wrenches?

Edited by bunch1980, 17 March 2010 - 09:27 AM.

[Pooky]

As I said if you're going to own a Mini and work on it yourself you need the right tools. The four that lrostoke has said are the most common but they aren't the only ones! Also a socket set or spanner set alone won't get you far either. If you've got a 1/2" nut and bolt to undo you'll need the spanner on the bolt and the socket on the nut.

I think Halfords have half price at the moment on their Professional range. Good stuff

[lrostoke]

Had my socket set for years, it was from Halfords, its got both imperial and metric.

[pickupapickup]

As I said if you're going to own a Mini and work on it yourself you need the right tools. The four that lrostoke has said are the most common but they aren't the only ones! Also a socket set or spanner set alone won't get you far either. If you've got a 1/2" nut and bolt to undo you'll need the spanner on the bolt and the socket on the nut.

I think Halfords have half price at the moment on their Professional range. Good stuff

Very true, thanks for your advice.

[mattw13]

Although cheap I have found that the clarke professional tools have been good from machine mart.

[Guess-Works.com]

combination spanner and a ratchet spanner, double up on 3/8, 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16

The are the most common used around the engine.

When you come to suspension you're going to need 5/8, 11/16 and bigger...

Personally, as a starter kit I would buy a cheap set ( YES Cheap set ) of combination spanners from 3/8" all the way upto 1"

eg. http://www.machinema...anners-wrenches

and then invest in a decent set of ratchet spanners

eg. http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165572

and then couple that with a set of AF deep sockets ( 3/8" drive is my preference ), extension bars and ratchet.

Then as you have funds available, or the cheap spanners break, replace them one at a time with better quality items..

Rule being, cheap spanners which are the right size are better than expensive ones which aren't

Edited by Guess-Works.com, 17 March 2010 - 09:49 AM.

[jaydee]

Although some metrics are pretty close and I do use both, I recommend getting some imperial spanners.

7/16" AF
1/2" AF
9/16" AF
5/8" AF

Definitly those 4, get combination spanners ring and open ended

Thanks probably best off just getting a few that are needed to rather than whole set!!

Would sockets be better? so can use torque wrenches?

At the end you need 4 sockets, 4 spanners, a torque wrench, afiller gauge, a balljoint splitter and a cone compressor. You dont need a complete professional set and the use of metric spanners on old tight bolts/nuts is good only if you want some extra rounded bolts on your mini.. The only metric i use is 13mm for manifold nuts because its my only socket that fits there.. Usually cheap tools wont last long and arent very precise..
Extra tools you could need for some serious jobs are flywheel puller, clutch seal tool, a DTI, several pry bars and a hub puller..

Edited by jaydee, 17 March 2010 - 09:56 AM.

[lrostoke]

Did anybody mention the hammer

Most are universal and work equally well in metric and imperial applications

Another must have is the proper square hole brake adjusting spanner.

[Nu2mini]

Bear in mind not everything is imperial on a Mini and it various according to which Mini you have!.

Can you give some guidance where A/F may have changed to metric. Or are all minis a mix. I have a 93 Cooper. Will that be all metric ??

[jaydee]

Definately no. Some brake unions are metric, cones have metric threads, and there are other few that are metric..probably coolant hoses clamp (7mm ??) or some nut of the alternator braket (14mm??)

[djdobson]

i must say that i have never found a problem using my 13mm spanner as most of the bolts fit into that lol