8 replies to this topic

[grck1]

Hi all.
Have a query, have been working on my mini changing all the hubs and suspension. Whilst attempting to torque the hub nuts I had one side on the ground and the other off, car in gear and using torque wrench I could slip the clutch ie it wasn't holding the drive train stationary against the turning force applied. I would have assumed that it should not do this and wonder if there isn't much life left in the clutch.

It's a standard 83 city e 998cc.
60000 miles, sometimes get some judder pulling away and in reverse

Any thoughts people's?

[Cooperman]

With one wheel off the ground, the car in gear and the other wheel on the ground, you were actually turning the engine over against the compression in the cylinders as the wheel rotated.

[nicklouse]

As above. Rotating the engine.

[grck1]

Hmm I suppose lol. It just seemed too smooth to be turning the engine, am used to feeling the compression build then give as the engine rotates. Will have to get helper watch the fan when I do the other side to confirm this.

[coopdog]

Hmm I suppose lol. It just seemed too smooth to be turning the engine, am used to feeling the compression build then give as the engine rotates. Will have to get helper watch the fan when I do the other side to confirm this.

Just put the other wheel on the ground :)

[grck1]

Yes I did in the end as it was impossible to torque it. Just at the time I was part way through fitting new brakes and could not be bothered fetching the wheel to put on then take off again to finish the job.

[Dusky]

Could you damage the piston rings like this?

[Cooperman]

No, it's no worst than pushing the car along with it in gear to set the valve clearances.

I usually put two wheel nuts onto adjacent studs, then lock the hub using a long bar between the studs and onto the ground. That stops the hub turning whilst the hub nut is torqued up.

[Wim Fournier]

Don't forget that you need only half the toque to turn over the crank with one wheel on the ground compared with pushing the car forward by hand with two wheels on the ground when you adjust the ignition or valve clearance. And it makes a difference in what gear you put the gear box. In first it has the heaviest restrain.