589 replies to this topic

[colinf1]

A quick check over the mini Saturday morning, readying it for the Mournes Run.

Managed to get the screw unsiezed to get the grille off, so that made things easier. Tightened up the alternator belt a bit more, just to see if it would stop the noisy alternator, but sadly not.

A quick check on some bolts for tightness then spotted the LH CV boot had sheared off its flat crimping part, so had to put a bandage on it...a second boot split length ways and cable tied around the other one. Not pretty at all...

Checked the CV boot once we arrived at the car park/starting point, all looked intact, no signs of any grease being flung anywhere.

Run was very good, lots of nice classic cars, nice roads and scenery, plus the weather held out too.. about 90 cars in total and around 200km / 120miles done.








Might manage one more run before winter hibernation...

Edited by colinf1, 03 October 2024 - 07:05 PM.

[Viktor]

Hey Colin, you have been busy this summer! Good to see the Mini is running well and making a few miles!

 

Cheers.

 

Victor.

[colinf1]

Having a tidy round the shed today, and came across my missing demister vent!




Had pulled the shed apart last year looking for this and ended up buying a replacement.

Not much else to update on, got my replacement alternator from Minispares, so will get that fitted soon.

A quick calculation shows total mileage for this summer is 2000miles or 3200kms, add a few more to this before it's put back in the shed....

[colinf1]

Really enjoyable run out today with the Irish Mini Owners Club, joined by some of the Norn Iron and Minis in Northern Ireland clubs.

19 at the starting point, another 3 joined along the way, then lost one due to electrical/fueling gremlins creeping into his Elf! A few others peeled off before getting this photo on the Sleeve Gullion drive...



A few more photos;











Plenty of smiles, beeps and waves along the way, weather stayed dry and car performed perfectly!

That's it now, I'll use it during the week for work to use up most of the petrol, then it will be moved to the back patio waiting for it's last wash before getting put into the shed.

Total milage for this year now stands at 3350km!

[colinf1]

Last show of the year for me, the indoor car show at Laois Shopping Center, a round trip of 336km / 208 miles. Total journey time of just under 4 hours with a quick toilet stop.

Drive down had a few hiccups, drivers side wiper blade tried to escape, the little tab on the end had worked it's way out from the arm. Just needed pushing back in and ensuring clips were secured. Then indicators stopped working, tried reseating the flasher unit, but no joy so had to continue on and hope that it wasn't too busy at the M50/N7 junction, which thankfully it wasn't. I reseated it again at the services and they started to work...that's another job for the winter list.

Show was good, but very cold, hard to keep the 14 Month old from pulling his hat and gloves off! A great selection of cars, and a good showing from the club.

Drive home was constantly raining, passenger side mat is very wet now from the rain working it's way in, again another winter job to fix - it's either the wiper arm bush or the blanking plate on LH side that doesn't have a gasket on it. A liberal amount of sealant should sort it out.

I'll more than likely remove the front carpet and underlay to make sure it not wet all winter.





Total mileage is now 3686km, not a bad effort.

[colinf1]

A tight squeeze...



A quick stop under the cover of the lean-too patio roof, awaiting a underbody wash and air dry..



Removed the front carpets, a fair bit of water in the underlay, thankfully the floor is relatively dry, but will leave the windows open to let the air circulate.

[Designer]

Hi,

 

Your four legged friend did a fantastic job of guiding you through, you couldn't have done it without him.    

 

Paddy

[Viktor]

_{That passage was specifically designed for Minis!}

 

Love the Mini artwork in the garden!

[colinf1]

That passage was specifically designed for Minis!

This was a deciding factor when we viewed the house, it was perfect house and this just sealed the deal!

[colinf1]

Started the underside clean down, got drivers front and rear done.



Noticed the bushing was loose on the rear shock, that would explain the knocking noise that came on on the last drive home. I thought it was the child's buggy wheels that I had in the boot.



There are a few bits of tar and a few small stone chips, mainly just on the flitch panel, but I'm very happy with how clean it is and how well all the paintwork is holding up, both the body paint/raptor stonechip and the brushed on hammerite on the suspension parts.

[colinf1]

Got the passenger side cleaned up today, this side was a bit dirtier as expected, but thankfully no signs of any cv joint grease from the split CV boot on this side. Also checked the rear shock absorber top bushes, but these seem fine with no movement at full droop.

Gave it a quick wash overall then into the shed.

Will make a list of jobs that I want to get done over the winter, then hopefully get all the required parts on the minispares black Friday sale...no doubt there'll be something I'll need a week after getting my order!

[colinf1]

A few small jobs done over the weekend, clamped off the petrol line and let the car idle until it ran out of fuel. Will drain the remainder of the fuel from the tank.

 

Also drained the oil, not too dirty with over 3.5k kms on it, a small amount of swarf on the magnetic tip, but nothing much at all.

 

[colinf1]

Started the strip down of passenger side driveshaft, only a few minutes on it.



Ordered all the parts and package got delivered today then noticed the knuckle gaiter has split, so will have to source something locally.



Not too good that it has split already, but as others have said the rubber components don't seem to last as long as old stock...

I've a new CV joint for the passenger side, just in case any dirt or water got into that split boot, I can always strip it down for a full clean down and keep it as a spare.

Also got a set of rear quarter opening windows from the guys in Minifix, cleaned up nicely and have new seals there ready to get them fitted.

[Steve220]

I replaced my knuckle gater with a poly one from minispares, fitment is very good

[colinf1]

Continuing the strip down of the front hub, very very greasy. Got one ball joint off with the shock method, but top one wouldn't budge, but I had ordered new sets to have on hand if it became an issue. Inner pot joint boot came off ok, but I have a new one to go on here too as that one had become twisted.



Ran out of latex gloves, so will leave the cleaning and strip down as it's too dirty without the gloves.

Moved onto removing the rear quarter windows, cut through the old seals, popped windows out and removed remainder of the seal. Was surprised with the amount of water that was trapped under it, then revealed some rust along the top of the panel/inner waistrail. Will need to clean it all down and get that rust treated and protected.





Not sure what I can do to prevent this with the opening type windows....