25 replies to this topic

[Kam]

Just did my sons last weekend did 2 hubs 4 joints in1hr fully stripped down cleaned and greased...................

Dam thats some going! Still say anything to do with ball joints is the most boring task though?

Replacing cones, now thats a bit of fun

[Sherlock]

After removing the hub, it takes me about 10 minutes per joint. If you want to see laborious try doing a roof lining, Mk3 onwards!

[enigma]

only way to get the sealed jobbies is metro hubs and the screwed geometry that comes with it! i think they are a pain but good as you can adjust the crap quality of modern parts! if you do it regularly its better.only use genuine type chinese whoflungdung types are hopeless! tips if you dont ?as you dont mention get a good secondhand micrometer the correct tool for measuring them so you dont guess what the next shim is you can measure clean shims.also make sure everything is spotless as grime or even grease can make life difficult.another one is get the proper ball joint spanner or a spanner the right size,again decent secondhand be money well spent.you nip up the finished job with a socket bar but those trial tightenings can be done much easier.hope any of this helps.my approach to jobs i dislike is to get tools to make it easier! any excuse for more tools perhaps! but i do this job on several minis on a regular basis.also pick up spare shims as new joints come with a cra selection and a wider range of small ones makes life simpler.minispares do sell them also.ta ta ben

[bcjames]

It took me a few hours the first time I did mine, as I'd never partially stripped a hub either. These days I can do it in next to no time, its just about getting a feel for what the play is, then a feel for what shim(s) will get you close. As maintence tasks go, its infrequency means it's probably one of my preferred ones! I can do it while doing other work on the area.

[samsfern]

i think head rebuilding is quite a long task, running a wirebrush on a drill down each port 1 by 1, lapping the valves in 1 by 1, fitting the springs and valves 1 by 1, lol its just the same thing again and again, luckily i enjoy rebuilding heads!

[panelbeaterpeter]

Moved to Tech..

[richardsoniscool]

whats the best way to clean the hub of all the carp and grease??

[enigma]

ok not sure if this environmentally amazing! but i always use old toothbrushes (recycling! points for being green already!) and 'standard' thinners.that is to say the cheap recycled paint thinners normally less than a fiver a tin cheaper than petrol and nicer to use.use gloves to avoid absorbing too much as in theory it can get in your blood! not that ive had that trouble yet in my years of being me! vapours go near instant and so nicer for the workshop.ta ta enigma

[sazal]

The gear linkage pin is always a fun job too!

[Rented]

If you want to see laborious try doing a roof lining, Mk3 onwards!

roof linings are the sex to do , trick is a leading brand of double sided stickey tape ..... Linings are too easy now , done so many where we nearly 9/10 remove them when welding up the cars its a breeeze now !!!!

[Sherlock]

If you want to see laborious try doing a roof lining, Mk3 onwards!

roof linings are the sex to do , trick is a leading brand of double sided stickey tape ..... Linings are too easy now , done so many where we nearly 9/10 remove them when welding up the cars its a breeeze now !!!!

I think that kind of job is a case of 'each to their own' I specialise in engine & suspension tuning, I have now found a guy at the local Mini centre who will do roof linings for me in far less than the 2-3 days it takes me!