Jump to content


Photo
- - - - -

1996 Rover Mini Cooper S


  • Please log in to reply
1 reply to this topic

#1 LilDrunkenSmurf

LilDrunkenSmurf

    Just On Tickover

  • Noobies
  • Pip
  • 8 posts
  • Location: Calgary

Posted 24 March 2015 - 04:53 PM

Hi guys,

 

Now that the warm weather is rolling in again in Canada, there's a few issues on the Mini I'd like to chase down, and was looking for advice.

 

1) It rattles at idle. The dash and A/C vents are quite loud at idle. I'm wondering if this could be due to bad motor mounts, or if I can tighten the dash (If I apply pressure between the A/C vents, the rattling stops, but the wheel keeps mildly vibrating).

 

2) It shakes at highways speeds. ~90kph+ the steering wheel shake gets a little annoying, and I'm concerned about longer trips. The wheels were rebalanced, and I had a Mini-specialty shop take a look at the suspension and such. Everything checked out. Wheel bearings appear solid, and balljoints are good.

 

3) Occasionally will clunk from the passenger side suspension area. I believe I've narrowed that down to a steering rack bushing on that side.(http://www.7ent.com/...ng-37h8064.html)

 

4) I have some flares on the car, but I'm not sure what they are, or how wide I can go with wheels. I currently have 12x4.5" wheels, and would like to upgrade to some 13" wheels, but I won't want to replace the flares, as they're body coloured.

 

5) The interior light works when you flip the switch to "on", but it doesn't turn on when the door is open, regardless or switch position. I don't know if it's a fuse, the door switch, or the wiring.

 

Pics:

2014-06-26%2006.26.24.jpg

 

Just some background:

I imported the car from Japan in Jan 2014. All fluids were flushed at the time. It currently has 93k on it, it's a 1.3L SPi w/ 4Spd manual.

I replaced the water pump after it started leaking.

Tie rods were replaced.

Subframe had cracked and was welded by a local Mini-specialist

Engine mount was repaired and reinforced

The flexpipe has come unraveled, was cut out and replaced.

Replaced cat with test pipe.

I've put in a K&N air filter.

Spark plugs/wires were replaced.

It has adjustable hilos. The front end was raised to get rid of the rake. I have not had an alignment, as I'm having a hard time finding a shop that can fit the mini on the rack.

 

I appreciate any input. Let me know if you need more info, or even some sources of info. It seems Classic Mini info is hard to track down online.



#2 Cooperman

Cooperman

    Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 23,014 posts
  • Location: Cambs.
  • Local Club: MCR, HAMOC, Chelmsford M.C.

Posted 24 March 2015 - 09:41 PM

Hi guys,

 

Now that the warm weather is rolling in again in Canada, there's a few issues on the Mini I'd like to chase down, and was looking for advice.

 

1) It rattles at idle. The dash and A/C vents are quite loud at idle. I'm wondering if this could be due to bad motor mounts, or if I can tighten the dash (If I apply pressure between the A/C vents, the rattling stops, but the wheel keeps mildly vibrating).

 

Tighten everything up and try to locate the source of the dash rattles

 

2) It shakes at highways speeds. ~90kph+ the steering wheel shake gets a little annoying, and I'm concerned about longer trips. The wheels were rebalanced, and I had a Mini-specialty shop take a look at the suspension and such. Everything checked out. Wheel bearings appear solid, and balljoints are good.

 

Check the sub-frame mounts and the engine mounts and steady bar bushes. Ideally fit solid sub-frame mounts to all the front sub-frame mountings (solid, not the nasty poly-bush ones). Check that the front bulkhead has not cracked where the rear mounts for the front sub-frame attach. If it has weld in repair plates of 1.5 mm thick sheet steel inside the car.

 

3) Occasionally will clunk from the passenger side suspension area. I believe I've narrowed that down to a steering rack bushing on that side.(http://www.7ent.com/...ng-37h8064.html)

 

The passenger side rack end bush can wear and you would need to fit a re-con rack.

 

4) I have some flares on the car, but I'm not sure what they are, or how wide I can go with wheels. I currently have 12x4.5" wheels, and would like to upgrade to some 13" wheels, but I won't want to replace the flares, as they're body coloured.

 

You will be best staying with 12" wheels as the 13" are less satisfactory then 12" or 10". 4.5" is a good width with 165 section tyres. Those are what are known as 'Group 2' arche extensions and are regarded as about the best arch extensions you can get.

 

5) The interior light works when you flip the switch to "on", but it doesn't turn on when the door is open, regardless or switch position. I don't know if it's a fuse, the door switch, or the wiring.

 

All you can do is to go over the wiring with a multi-meter to identify where the fault lies.

 

Pics:

2014-06-26%2006.26.24.jpg

 

Just some background:

I imported the car from Japan in Jan 2014. All fluids were flushed at the time. It currently has 93k on it, it's a 1.3L SPi w/ 4Spd manual.

I replaced the water pump after it started leaking.

Tie rods were replaced.

Subframe had cracked and was welded by a local Mini-specialist

Engine mount was repaired and reinforced

The flexpipe has come unraveled, was cut out and replaced.

Replaced cat with test pipe.

I've put in a K&N air filter.

Spark plugs/wires were replaced.

It has adjustable hilos. The front end was raised to get rid of the rake. I have not had an alignment, as I'm having a hard time finding a shop that can fit the mini on the rack.

 

I appreciate any input. Let me know if you need more info, or even some sources of info. It seems Classic Mini info is hard to track down online.

See replies in red.

 

We are all here to help and you'll get a quick answer to any problem from the Mini Docs here.






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users