11 replies to this topic

[JBob250]

Greetings,

I recently figure out that it was the roll pin on the shifter side of the rod-change linkage that was not allowing me to get it into 1st or 2nd. It's just barely barely barely not 100% in there right. Is it possible, or a good idea to replace this cheap roll pins with clevis pins of the same diameter? It just seems like the problem would just keep reoccuring with another roll pin.

Thanks!

[liirge]

or an R clip, downside is its more likely to catch on something and pull out.

Edited by liirge, 17 August 2009 - 12:56 AM.

[dklawson]

I had the same thought about this as liirge.

However, as Neal suggested to you on Mini Mania, the roll pin by it's "springy" design is likely taking up play that would be necessary from manufacturing tolerances. A clevis or R-clip will allow torsional motion that the system was not designed for.

If the pin is walking out, how about looping a piece of safety wire through it and twisting it closed to help hold the pin in place?

EDIT: by the way, was Dean up in Buffalo... or were you down in Chicago?

Edited by dklawson, 17 August 2009 - 02:40 AM.

[bmcecosse]

The roll pin works perefctly well in many hundereds of thousands of Minis - why would it not work with yours! Fit a new one - properly!!

[liirge]

Yer they do work well, the only thing i find is that they can be a pain in the bum, if they get stuck, but the right sized punch usually will shift it.

[Retro_10s]

I've just bought a couple of new roll pins - Wanted to fit something different too facing the facts there really is not better alternative to the right part.

Bolts with Nylocs on will wear fast and fail
As Doug said - A clevis or R-clip will allow motion that the linkage really isn't designed to deal with.

So roll pins are really the best and only way to do it - I've never had a problem with mine and they've never fallen out - but TMF threads about roll pins can be a good scaremonger all too often.

Roll pins for the win - and if you're concerned - The old 'bent peice of wire through the pin' does a sterling job of easing your mind - regardless of whether it really does anything or not

[JBob250]

Cool, thanks for all the replies. I'll just run up fo Hector's and grab another roll pin, +1 on the safety wire as well, but its not loose enough to the point where it would fall out. I'm just trying not to replace the collar itself because I'm broke.

Also, Dean was up near Buffalo, and actually drove an hour to get to me. He's a real nice guy for sure, wouldnt even take and money, had to trick him into taking it. VERY knowledgeable!! I never would have found the problem if not for him, I def owe him big time!

[dklawson]

Dean used to live 1/2 hour west of me in the middle of Orange County, NC. That was back when he first bought his Mini. He's come a VERY long way since then. I miss having him around. He and his family are really nice people. I'm glad he was able to make the trip to see you and offer advice.

Don't forget that not far from you in Buffalo is Darren (a.k.a. Cranium). Just across the border in the Niagara Falls CN area are a couple of guys including Tony Petraca (a.k.a. Notabmw). Both are very knowledgeable and helpful.

[Shifty]

Just a thought but could you not secure the roll pin by using a jubilee clip around it?

[Retro_10s]

Could be a pain if the clip was to rust up and seize.

[Ethel]

The roll pin only grips the outer sleeve part of the linkage, the 2 pins produce a Universal Joint. I wonder if the orientation of the pin makes a difference - pushing or pulling the rod could compress the pin making it loose.


I think if you wanted a precision OTT solution something like 2 plain dowels that can move freely but with minimal slack, held in by a sleeve over the connecting piece that's secured with a couple of machine screws

[tommy13]

A common way of strengthening a roll pin joint is to knock a smaller diameter roll pin up the centre of the original pin. Knock the large diameter pin in first then the smaller one. Renault attached their drive shaft inner joints to the gearbox using this method for many years.