Back in January I went to the MITG Show n Shine, which had about 65 cars over the day. It was a great day out
More photos:
home.exetel.com.au/minisinthegong/BBForum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=71I had three mechanical dramas on the day though.... Number one was on the way up. The gear stick locating pin unwound itself and caused the gear stick to flop around. I managed to catch it before it fell out though! The bolt thread was rubbish and wouldn't stay in properly. I made it to the show fine after this
The second drama was on the way home. It was a repeat of the first, except the bolt fell out completely and it was a struggle to find gears after that as I had no way of fixing it...
Third drama was a bit more terminal!
Which required some assistance
One of my driveshaft universal couplings disintegrated going along the highway at about 100kph. There was a large bang followed by a huge racket as the driveshaft bounced around under the car! It was only 1-2km from home too, which was particularly annoying.
It looked something like this when I installed them...
So instead of keeping the basic rubber cross style or QL5000 driveshaft couplings I decided to replace them with the stronger/more reliable Cooper S ones, like on this spare gearbox I picked up...
Here are all the parts to remove from the "rubber cross" couplings.
And these are all the bits to swap to "Hardy Spicer" joints. These were fitted originally to the Cooper S (and also automatic cars)
First up I removed the engine. I didn't have any mini specific lifting brackets, so the engine was at the wrong angle to get it out easily. I got it out eventually, but I scratched a little bit of the (peeling) paint..
One problem I had was my engine crane was too high and I couldn't get the legs under the lower suspension arms. I took the castor wheels off and had to move the car forward and backward to wiggle the engine out.. :rolleyes:
One of the u-bolts was bent, and had scratched a little of the gearbox casing. There were also a few dings from the driveshaft
The driveshaft also dinged up the new exhaust manifold
Diff was removed to replace the rubber cross diff outputs. The diff ratio is definately a 3.76
I had a couple of extra diffs and output shafts to pick and choose from
Also got a couple of extra output flanges
And these diff covers
The diff was pulled apart ready to be rebuilt
The diff pin and pinion washers were worn in the current diff...
And so was the diff cage.
I stripped down the 3 other diffs I had and this one looked in good nick. I've found a nice pair of output shafts to go along with this.
The new diff gears and pin have been installed into the diff cage.
The CROWN wheel and bearings were done next.
I also cleaned up the diff housing and regreased the shift mechanism.
The alloy remote gearshift extension was pulled apart, cleaned up and regreased too. I had to use a replacement extension as the old one had stripped the thread for the gearshift locating pin, and the shift rod had a bit of wear in it too.
While it was apart I also cleaned and regreased the gearshifter. It has a nice smooth action now when moving through the gears.
The diff bearings got shimmed up.
The diff side covers and shift linkage were installed and it all moves smoothly.
I stripped the Hardy Spicer couplings down and gave them a coat of paint
And they're now finished with new universal joints and rubber boots
I had another accidental ebay purchase... A nice shiny rocker cover to top off the engine! It went very cheap, and looks nearly new. I've got a can of crackle black paint that I think would go nicely
I also got a new side mirror. It's a Raydot replica, which were also called Downton mirrors.
The door looked like this with the old mirror removed. I'll have to get another rubber grommet to block up the second hole
And installed
It bolts into the front window catch
Engine went back in..
Still a few bolts and bits to put on yet!
I got the radiator back in and the engine mounts done up (a whole afternoon's work)
After a couple of hours work the next day we were getting closer...
And it's all back together and running now!
And then last weekend we made it hassle free to the garage at our new house. Ran really well too!