24 replies to this topic

[lippo]

I changed the front pads today as I wasn't completely happy with the braking. Turns out I had EBC pads on there, I swapped them for Mintex pads.

 

 

I also bought the Kayaba upgraded shocks front and rear. I fitted the fronts and drove the car, handled so much better and actually stopped in a straight line for the first time! Not sure whether it was the new shocks or pads, but I'm not complaining. I noticed the CV boot clip had come off so that was replaced. Fitted the rear shocks too although not driven it to see the improvement. There were Unipart shocks on the front and Girling Decarbon on the rear - no idea how old they were but they looked knackered.

 

 

 

 

 

I might change the seat belts over in the next few days to some Mini Spares inertia type.

Edited by lippo, 09 March 2025 - 04:59 PM.

[beardylondon]

Thanks. I presume 4mm on the flatter areas, and 2mm around the contour parts?

[lippo]

Thanks. I presume 4mm on the flatter areas, and 2mm around the contour parts?

 Yes. A heat gun and a little roller helped immensely.

[Quinlan minor]

I might change the seat belts over in the next few days to some Mini Spares inertia type.

 

Might be worth taking a look at this: https://www.theminif...t-belt-fitment/

 

[lippo]

 

I might change the seat belts over in the next few days to some Mini Spares inertia type.

 

Might be worth taking a look at this: https://www.theminif...t-belt-fitment/

 

 Thanks for the link, that's my earlier post about the seatbelt fitment. I've got some replacements and will look to fit them over the next week or so.

[lippo]

 I finally fitted the red inertia seat belts and what a difference they make when you're driving, confidence-wise.

 

 I had some Exacton alloys refurbed recently, and fitted them today. I've always loved the Exactons from when they were on the Mini Specials, and I fancied getting a set. The refurb was an absolute nightmare and took months, and it's not even that great, but they fit in well with the overall aesthetic of the car, if you know what I mean.

 

 The jury is still out on them, but I'll leave them on for now, just for a change from the Mambas. I bought some wheel nut caps from Ebay, 3D printed ones. They feel like they'll fly off at over 5mph so I'll have to work out how to keep them on - any suggestions?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[KTS]

Nice wheels (..and colour scheme) in my view 

[lippo]

 The wheels have been on for a week or so and I'm happy with them for the moment so they're staying, and the Mamba's are in storage.

 

 I replaced the front pads with some Mintex ones, the car still pulled to the left on initial braking. Whilst looking at the front hub, I noticed the CV boot clip had come off again, spewing grease onto the caliper and most likely causing the braking issue. I tried the metal clips for the boot but they wouldn't stay on tight enough so I found low profile cable ties and used that successfully.

 

 I took the rear drums off as there was a grinding noise coming from the nearside rear bearings and the adjuster on the offside had stopped working. The shoes were worn through to the metal on one side, and cracked on the other. I looked through the old MOT's and for the past 20 years there's been a problem with the o/s rear brakes! Funny that the shoes were much newer on the n/s. Anyway, the braking is so much better now. I did actually manage to lock up a rear wheel in the dry yesterday whilst testing the brakes, advice on her says that I should change to 5/8's brake cylinders. I assume they're still the original 11/16's cylinders from the 998 Clubman.

 

 

The bearings were drier than a nun's ..... and look to be original 1979 ball bearing type. Both sides were replaced with Timken bearings.

 

 

 I bought on of those bulkhead blanking plates (from Australia) and fitted it. Looked much better. I then decided to fit the Newton Commercial bulkhead soundproofing which completely covered the blanking plate completely. I don't think I fitted it perfectly, but the car isn't perfect so it matches nicely.

 

 

 

 I also wrapped the top of the LCB for a couple of reasons. I reduce the heat slightly in the engine bay and also the cabin, and there's less chance of me being burned by accident when working on the car. I'll wrap it more fully when I get the chance. There were a few issues with bulbs and poor connections in the new PCB which caused the ignition light to not come on and the battery to not charge, and the right indicator was annoyingly intermittent. All solved by ensuring the connection tabs made a good contact with the bulb holders. Funnily enough, the oil pressure light stopped working, being fixed by replacing the faulty sensor in the block.

 

 

 

 I'm due to get new seat covers (been waiting 6 months, absolute nightmare) and I've ordered a moulded estate carpet from Mini Spares, which I assume is the Newton Commercial one. I may remove some of the closed cell insulation as it distorts the carpet somewhat - I'll see when I start fitting it. I'll obviously fit the brake cylinders and also the new 55mm wheel studs I realised I needed when trying to fit the 1275GT Mini Spares drums.

 

 I also bought a sealable box for the boot to carry essentials. I've been carrying 5 litres of petrol as the car's run out of fuel twice (not me!) and it smells pretty strong. I've also got a jack, impact wrench, spanners, screwdrivers, fuel additives, multimeter, socket set, 500ml of 20/50, some water. That was like the Generation Game for me there, I think I've forgotten a few things. What has anyone else got in their boot that I'm missing?

 

[lippo]

 Mucked about with a laminator to cover my new Viper Sports coil. Widened the spark plug gap to 0.038" as recommended by AC Dodd.

 

 

 I bought the spacered standard drums from Mini Spares but they were so damn heavy I opted to purchase some Minifin alloy drums and they were much lighter. Didn't realise I need longer wheel studs, so they were bought and fitted. Assembled everything else, along with new brake pipe to wheel cylinder (new 5/8"s on recommendations here) and bled the brakes. Nothing at all from the o/s/r... Took the cable off, threw brake fluid all over the driveway and found out the cable had swollen internally. Even passing a thick copper wire through did nothing.

A quick trip to M&M in Warrington got me some new flexible hoses (and a spare original hazard switch) and a short time later they were fitted, brakes bled and test drive. The car actually stops in a straight line, first time ever! I can't get the front wheels to lock up (7.5" discs) although it stops ok. I am now wondering whether the front hoses are swollen too so I'll get some braided hoses in the near future and fit them.

 

 

 

 

 Onto the interior, and I finally got my new covers from a firm who advertised on FB Mini groups. It took 6 months, but they look great. I've removed the seats in anticipation of fitting them over the next few weeks (I'd like to get to Himley but that is hope rather than expectation). I also bought a new carpet set from Mini Spares - it's Newton Commercial and very nice. Needs a bit of cutting so I'm taking my time.

 I removed all the 10mm closed cell soundproofing as it distorted the carpet and I didn't like the look of it. I've bought some 4mm stuff but the Newton carpet has some basic soundproofing as underlay and I've put more Silent Coat on exposed panels and in the door bins.

 

 

 

 

 New old gearknob fitted, feels so much better than the out of place wooden aftermarket thing

 

 

 Re-fitted the original windscreen washer bottle and pump (both new) and fitted the Newton Commercial bulkhead soundproofing, on top of the bulkhead cover purchased on Etsy from Australia.

 

 

 The car needs a tune as it was running rich. AC Dodd's excellent vids gave me a base line for the carb.

 

 

 The S-Can engine steady has arrived and I'm itching to fit it but that's not top of my list. Some gratuitous recent pics!

 

 

 

 

 

[Daviewonder]

That looks amazing. Definitely the best colour for an estate and love the gold decals.