21 replies to this topic

[mini_mission]

Hi all,

A few months ago I took my mini in to a local garage were they took the flywheel off to put new ring gear on.

Recently the clutch was slipping so I took the mini up to a fairly local mini specialist in Devon, and he saw that the flywheel key/ bolt thing was the wrong way around. he tried to get the fly off, broke a puller and then used some heat to no avail. It would appear that the fly key bolt jobbie has allowed the fly to move thus welding itself on to my crank..

He phoned me up, and told me of the problem. So I got in contact with this local garage and they cut the fly off, with the engine in situ. (I mean, how the eff did the do that? how did they fit a grinder in there without cutting the crank itself!!!! ) They agreed to put a new fly on, of which they say they can get a good seat on the crank taper.

The engine is a MED built 100bhp (at the wheels) 1380 road engine- not your average 1ltr run about.

Steve said that the crank is scrap- and therefore its engine out rebuild time- the crank alone will cost over £400 to replace.

I'm getting a bit worried- what can I do if they insist that the new fly can go on with no problems? Surely the same thing will only happen again? I dont see why I should fork out, I guessing £800 ish to get it fixed...

Hope the pics are good enough

Attached Files

•  mini_021.jpg   119.21K   115 downloads
•  mini_012.jpg   151.28K   122 downloads

[Guess-Works.com]

Absolutely and categorically NO

That is SCRAP.

[mini_mission]

Yikes, thanks for the quick reply!

I know nothing (manuel style) on this sort of thing- It couldnt be "lapped" on? (still slightly unsure on how you do that!)

Edited by mini_mission, 06 November 2008 - 11:45 AM.

[wolfys_mini]

nope, you need too take it out, buy a crank, machine it too the spec you want, and fit it

taking the engine out and splitting the box and block in the process

[GraemeC]

Looks like they cut the old flywheel off with oxycet torch. Crank is, as said above, completely useless now - only course of action is to replace.

[matty...]

FUBAR would describe that taper, on this family forum! Lol

[mini93]

FUBAR would describe that taper, on this family forum! Lol

if you dont know what it is....google it maybe better "urban dictionary" it


makes my old crank taper look sMint though!

[nicksuth]

That's deffinately FUBARD'd - Was it Garage or a Butcher's you took it to????

[dklawson]

I was hoping to see pictures of minor fretting of the crank tail. Sorry... I agree with everyone above. Replace the crank and move on.

[mini_mission]

God dammit Gump, you're a goddamn genius!! (fubar was from that film?)
Thanks for your advice all.

One last question. What sort of action can I take if this garage refuses to replace and fit like for like? Is there anyone that can give out free legal advice on matters like this?

Edited by mini_mission, 06 November 2008 - 03:51 PM.

[Guess-Works.com]

You problem is, you have no evidence to say it was incorrectly fitted, nor infact any recourse on the people who removed the flywheel if all you told them to do was get the flywheel off... as that's what they've done.

I think this one is just down to bad luck...

[mini_mission]

Sorry I forgot to mention that they did refit it also... plus I have photographic evidence of the bolt fitted the wrong way round and the washer loose.

Surely the bottom line is that it was fine when the car arrived there and not fine when it left?

[Rented]

anything like that once its been scored is scrap . they are machined within 1/100th of a mm to keep the weight perfect . hope they sort you out right bud . shame when garages have problems and its them you think to trust !!

[Rented]

(fubar was from that film?)

Just a quick off topic post :

wasnt it something like full metal jacket ?

[mini_mission]

hmmm you've got me thinking now.... I know hanks was in it though...


any advice on the legal front? It cant be my fault- I havent touched it!