4 replies to this topic

[Island Mini]

Hey guys,

 

Just wondering, I had seen a post where a member and manufactured bronze replacements as the nylon replacements were of a poor quality.

 

I just wanted to know what was the procedure for removing the ends off the rack to get access to removing the bushings.

 

I was told the racks are non-serviceable but why would they sell replacements if you couldn't change them.

 

The part I am referring to is:

 

http://minispares.co...|Back to search

 

Thanks

[Dan]

Because they are non-serviceable there are no genuine bushes sold. Outside companies who recondition racks need parts though and presumably the non-genuine spares are from the same source. There are many parts becoming available now that in the past you wouldn't be able to get for things like this. Parts like the calliper body seals for genuine callipers which traditionally were only available to re-conditioners because you shouldn't be splitting callipers at home. For us in this country there really is no need to rebuild your own rack currently, a recon rack is cheaper than the labour involved in overhauling one and a brand new one isn't much more so the parts just aren't needed. I imagine the postage makes it more attractive for you to rebuild though. You could try contacting Keith Calver through his web shop, he was talking about making kits to rebuild racks a while ago but I don't know if anything came of it for much the same reasons. They just wouldn't sell.

I read through the other (quite old) thread you posted in about your rack, with the report about how to replace the bushes, and I have to say I have some concerns about how it was done. The late racks need grease, not oil, and simply tightening the ball joints the way it was done is incredibly dangerous. The complaints about the lack of serviceability of the rack parts are ridiculous frankly since the unit is designed not to be serviced!

[Island Mini]

I always do appreciate your posts. It's often not the easiest thing in the world to get a properly thought out answer.

 

Okay good to know, I'm learning lots here. Yes as you can imagine as my splines appear in good condition and other than the fact my rack is missing one nylon bushing, I really don't want to go through all the trouble of buying a rack if there is any possible way around. 

What worries me is why this bushing is missing (along with the seal and circlip), surely someone will have to have taken the ball joints off on that side previously. So either way I would like to make sure it has been put back correctly. As I understand it the ball socket threads into the rest of the rack.

 

I may try and contact Keith Calver as you said. It may be interesting to hear if he has any other pearls of wisdom on the subject.

 

I understand why the rack servicing is a dark area as you mentioned. Why not just replace if you live in the USA or UK. Makes total sense. But unfortunately living on a little Island in the Caribbean I often come across projects where I have to make do with what I can find. What is often referred to here as 'Island Engineering'; which I now understand after studying engineering in the UK for two years is a term used extremely loosely! But sometimes people do come up with some amazing solutions.

 

How would you suggest being able to re-install the ball joints, surely some red loctite would ensure it never came loose again?

 

Thanks again

 

Toby

[Dan]

Mainly I'd be concerned that they were tight enough to get the right preload on the ball. When assembled on a factory line they will presumably use a special adaptor and an offset torque wrench, tightening to a figure that isn't published anywhere. Loctite would be the easy bit really (providing you don't get any on the ball!).

The article KC wrote about overhauling racks may be on his site or on Mini Spares somewhere. I haven't found it there but that doesn't mean it's not. I could see if I still have the mag it was in anywhere.

[Island Mini]

Okay I will try drop him an email or give him a ring when I get back to the UK.

 

I think I have worked out a solution. My friend has graciously agreed to allow me to ship a new rack in on her shipping container which comes in every other week free of charge from Florida! So I think I will grab one off minimania if that is the best source from the states? The plan is to fit it when I arrive back to the Island at Christmas. The rebuild process seems extremely long and arduous and not something it appears there is enough information out there to attempt realistically, when my time frame for ordering parts is short. 

 

Better safe than sorry!

 

Thanks for the help

 

P.S Connected all my breather lines up the other day and guess what; all my oil leaks disappeared! As per usual you were correct.