11 replies to this topic

[ross k]

heya guys i have been working on my mini and ive jsut realsied one side of the fronts alot lower than the other and one sides running on the bumpstop is this an mot failure because i have an mot booked wednesday so have a bit of a problem how easy are they to change thanks ross

[strothow]

You need a compression tool for the front, don't think they are too hard, remember seeing a howto somewhere, will see if i can find it!

[chrisandsarah]

Jack up car
Jack up wheel to compress cone (less strain on tool - less likely to shred the thread on the cone + tool)
In engine bay - undo and remove subframe tower bolt (big sod)
Insert compressor tool into hole
Wind compressor tool using 11mm spanner or an adjustable spanner (cloth on paintwork helps avoid damage)
When compressor tool wound down 7-9 turns (ish) put the outer bit around the rod
Tighten nut slowly - this compresses the cone
Every now and then lower wheel and check how much movement the knuckle joint (bottom bit of suspension trumpet) has in the upper arm
If not sufficient - raise wheel and tighten tool
If need be use a hammer and chizzle to break the aluminium trumpet, I suggest doing this then the cone is not compressed using the compression tool as it will cause the tool to slip and will remove pinkies if in the way....
When able to remove cone / knuckle / anything that will come out
Undo and remove the bolt in the bottom of the shock and move it out of the way, remove hub, dont let brake caliper or driveshaft hang under own weight
Undo the 2x 11mm bolts (one is a nut and bolt the inner one is just a bolt) on the inside of the engine bay, and the nut (18ish mm) at each end of the upper arm to remove it, allowing the cone etc to come out easily

At this point replace cone + knuckle + trumpet / hilow + bumpstop + upper arm rebound rubber....

Replace all of the bits mentioned above

A side note - I had to move the clutch slave + washer fluid pot on one side and the rad on the other to get at these

Hope this helps

[Dan]

Yes, if the car is sitting on the stops it will fail the MOT.

[Kam]

You need a compression tool for the front, don't think they are too hard, remember seeing a howto somewhere, will see if i can find it!

Here you go CLICKY

[ross k]

thanks for the help guys looks like ill have to cancel the mot then dont think ill get the bits by wednesday let a know get the job done thanks ross

[Guess-Works.com]

Yes, if the car is sitting on the stops it will fail the MOT.

Quick bodge.... cut the top off the bumpstop so it's not resting on it...

[chrisandsarah]

Yes, if the car is sitting on the stops it will fail the MOT.

Quick bodge.... cut the top off the bumpstop so it's not resting on it...

Problem solved

[ross k]

hmm thing is on full look the wheel now comes really close to the top of the wing and a panel and i dont want to mess them up grr why do minis always do this just when you think their sorted

[Carlos W]

Just fix it properly!

[chrisandsarah]

Yep, tis like polishing a turd, but fortunately its a fun turd

[edit]couldn't spell - long morning...[/edit]

Edited by chrisandsarah, 19 June 2011 - 12:06 PM.

[ross k]

i will fix it properlly dont worry just annyoed ill have to cancel my mot as it the first one after a 2 year restoration by hey ho what the mini wants the mini gets