48 replies to this topic

[blacktulip]

cant think of anything.

just make the right tool for the job.

I'd love to see some of your tools to make every job as easy as fitting a spark plug? ?

[Boycie]

I never struggled much with the master cylinder clevis pins.. until I got one rusted solid into the pushrod (not the pedal).  That was an absolute pain to get out, really very difficult and time consuming.  

 

I will also add-

properly fitting the large air hose/ trunking between the heater and inner wing.  Any leaks and you'll get a cold draught around your feet and crappy heater air flow.  It doesn't help that the brake light switch literally has to make a dent in the hose when everything is in position.  Poor design.

[nicklouse]

 

cant think of anything.

just make the right tool for the job.

I'd love to see some of your tools to make every job as easy as fitting a spark plug?

 

this is good for many things

and a tap wrench for other things.

 

never had any issues over the years. just found a few things that can make things easier.

[Curley]

7. The "difficult" bolt in the wok

 

Gave up refitting that one 20 years ago - lol

[mini-mad-mark]

 

7. The "difficult" bolt in the wok

 

Gave up refitting that one 20 years ago - lol

 

 I didn't know what to call it  - the "8 o'clock bolt" maybe 

[Ell.s]

Id say removing the top arms working from within the wheel arch.

[IronmanG]

1. Stripping the whole car down
2. Spraying it.
3. Putting it all back together

Luckily I didnt do number 2

[Chris1275gt]

Although not required for most minis, not having the £1000+ to refurbish the 75 webasto sunroof and doing it all yourself to a good standard nearly broke my will to live!

[SolarB]

properly fitting the large air hose/ trunking between the heater and inner wing.  Any leaks and you'll get a cold draught around your feet and crappy heater air flow.  It doesn't help that the brake light switch literally has to make a dent in the hose when everything is in position.  Poor design.

Second that one!

The only job I really dislike.

[Tornado99]

Never having done the rear cylinder E rings, was surprised it all went so easily without special tools. I just followed suggestions on this forum to us mole grips to jam the cylinder in place and then a small flat blade screwdriver to lightly tap the clip home. There was also a video linked on a post here to show the method.
Front brake hose replacement looks fiddly with the bulkhead fitting so hard to reach with spanners.
Upper suspension arm R&R troubling. Steering rack and Speedo drive also of concern...all jobs I need to get done.

[surfblue]

Water pump by pass hose with head in position?

[mini-mad-mark]

Never having done the rear cylinder E rings, was surprised it all went so easily without special tools. I just followed suggestions on this forum to us mole grips to jam the cylinder in place and then a small flat blade screwdriver to lightly tap the clip home. There was also a video linked on a post here to show the method.
Front brake hose replacement looks fiddly with the bulkhead fitting so hard to reach with spanners.
Upper suspension arm R&R troubling. Steering rack and Speedo drive also of concern...all jobs I need to get done.

Front brake hose easiest with a socket and long extension from above (unless new/very free to move) - if the hard line fitting is rusted in then break the pipe and use a socket on that

Probably need to remove the radiator on the left side 

 

Forgot the steering rack change - only done it once when the subframe was in the car (but dropped for clearance)....Grrrr

Probably worthy of the top ten in place of........hmm.....the wok bolt maybe as once its out you can get away with not putting it back in (although I always do)

[mini-mad-mark]

Water pump by pass hose with head in position?

Convoluted hose helps but still fiddly

 

My best method and not to use a convoluted hose is to remove water pump  - 50p for new gasket but means you can use a proper bypass hose and is much easier IMHO

Obviously Rad and fan have to come off - it probably adds a few minutes to the quickest it could be done but much less frustrating

[mini-mad-mark]

Might be a top twenty by the time we've finished....

[Trissy B]

Choke cable replacement for me!!