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Top 3 Most Fiddly Jobs On A Mini


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#1 mini-mad-mark

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 08:23 PM

Apologies if this has already been covered but after today I had to see what folks thought about their top 3 trickiest tasks 

 

For me:

 

1. Fitting fuel tank sender wires (van/estate)  

 

2. Fitting bottom radiator bracket

 

3. Cutting exhaust link pipe to correct length for LCB when working on four axle stands - single box exhaust (why can't someone make the correct pipe ready cut to length.... I think there is one for twin box?)

 

 

I note that a lot of people quote brake and clutch pedal clevis pins as their nemesis but I have at least two or three more before them (the "difficult" bolt in the wok and the heater front mounting screws spring to mind)

 

 

Any more offers?

 



#2 cal844

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 08:32 PM

Rear brake circlips
Brake/clutch pedal pins
Chrome scuttle bling
Van/estate fuel pipe/sender wires
Choke/heater cable replacement

Brake flexi pipes when they need to be salvaged after a few years

#3 Bobbins

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 08:40 PM

1. Brake/clutch pedal pins

2. Brake/clutch pedal pins

3. Brake/clutch pedal pins

#4 mini-mad-mark

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 08:47 PM

1. Brake/clutch pedal pins

2. Brake/clutch pedal pins

3. Brake/clutch pedal pins

Sorry I just don't see these as that difficult compared to some other things - forgot the rear brake cylinder circlips!

 

Also bonnet hinge bolts (the ones under the scuttle not the ones to the bonnet!)

 

Of course this is opinion not fact  :proud:

 

Do you use R clips or spit pins when fitting the brake/clutch clevis pins? - Split pins yes royal PITA but R clips makes it reasonably straight forward if you have some long nose pliers



#5 Avtovaz

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 09:04 PM

the pins arnt that hard! just tape the pin to the end of your finger when fitting it!



#6 cal844

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 09:07 PM

I use R clips on my cars, yes it does make the job alot easier

#7 MrBounce

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 09:29 PM

Trouble is, all the jobs are subjective when it comes to difficulty. I struggled for over an hour trying to get the stupidly designed rear wheel cylinder clip on. My friend, who is vastly more experienced came out, laughed at me getting infuriated, and fitted in in less than 30 seconds. 

 

Amusingly I got both of the pins out when removing the Midas' clevis pins for both the master cylinders in less than a minute.



#8 RustyAutoCityE

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 09:33 PM

I would have Ball Joint shimming on the list, they are a pain!



#9 Ben_O

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 10:01 PM

I agree with the clevis pins. Especially if they have rusted in.

I have large hands so find it hard to squeeze in to get them in

A mechanic colleague of mine usually steps in and does it for me as his hands ate small and girly meaning he can do it in moments.



#10 mini-mad-mark

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 10:01 PM

Sorry disagree 

 

I would have Ball Joint shimming on the list, they are a pain!

Hmmm not sure I agree  - not especially fiddly just time consuming if doing by the trial and error method (i.e. fit shim torque down check movement - repeat until happy) 

 

I'm thinking of those tasks that are awkward (but they might take a bit of time BECAUSE they are tricky)

 

e.g. clutch end oil seal (engine in car) or changing steering rack or fitting headlining - ha! - just remembered fitting speedo cable to gearbox end (if engine in car and drive shafts in place)

 

I think we can get to a top 10.....



#11 mini-mad-mark

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 10:26 PM

Going for it - a top ten but not necessarily in an order of most fiddly (although I would stick with my No.1....)

 

1. Bonnet hinge bolts under the scuttle

2. Van/estate/pickup fuel tank sender wires (and the fuel pipe is a little awkward)

3 .Rear brake cylinder circlips (if under the car - easier on the bench)

4. Choke/heater cable replacement

5. Heater screws under dash

6. Clutch end oil seal (in car - and clutch generally if in car, leads to....)

7. The "difficult" bolt in the wok

8. Fitting a headlining

9. Speedo cable at gearbox end (if engine in car and drive shafts in place)

10. OK - the clevis pins on the brake/clutch pedal  - they are a bit fiddly.....

 

Mentioned in despatches :

Ball joint shimming, brake drum springs, fitting front to rear brake line, fitting front to rear fuel line, bottom rad bracket and/or hose, cutting an exhaust link pipe for LCB (if you haven't access to a ramp and have to do it on axle stands on your garage floor/driveway)

 

Everything else is easy,  right..... :D



#12 slidehammer

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 10:42 PM

Clevis pins, as the awkward working position you have to get in to just to be able to see them.

The rear brake circlips are a doddle with the Mini Spares special tool, so easy it makes you want to do more!


Edited by slidehammer, 19 September 2020 - 06:44 AM.


#13 Avtovaz

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Posted 18 September 2020 - 11:12 PM

lol i am wondering when i did my mates van what i did to make the fuel wires easy? !!

 

 

not at all looking forward to fitting the headlining in my advantage...

 

 

oh and the one for  the list

 

1> working paying to put the mini on the road ... that a hard job!



#14 Tds76

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Posted 19 September 2020 - 01:07 AM

The hardest, most fiddly job I have done is screwing on the outside door handle on my Australian Mk2. How they did this on the line is beyond me.
Agree on rad bottom hose, but what is so tough about the choke or heater cable?

Edited by Tds76, 19 September 2020 - 10:48 AM.


#15 Bobbins

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Posted 19 September 2020 - 06:40 AM

The issue with the clevis pins is getting the originals out especially if you have decent sized hands. Once they're out it's easy to fit R pins but usually by then I've lost the will to live!!!




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