23 replies to this topic

[nicklouse]

.

I often with that I had a proper machine shop, to try some of these ideas.

i just used Metro arms ;)

[Sovereign01]

I checked out Tracy Tools, I couldn't find a 13/16'' reamer, closest I could find was this 25-27/32:

 

http://www.tracytool...justable-reamer

 

I'm looking to obtain one as used in this video:

 

https://www.facebook...?type=2

[alex-95]

I checked out Tracy Tools, I couldn't find a 13/16'' reamer, closest I could find was this 25-27/32:

 

http://www.tracytool...justable-reamer

 

I'm looking to obtain one as used in this video:

 

https://www.facebook...?type=2

Theres some 13/16" reamers on eBay, but you'd have to get machined and attached dead true to pin, then rather than fitting the bearing, a sleeve the same dimensions as the bearing should be made so it supports the reamer as it goes through.

[Sovereign01]

I'm starting to wish I'd just left the original bronze bush in place, I'd assumed that since both ends of the shaft were noticeably worn that the bush was in a similar state.

[cian]

That's the video I made, the tool is a 13/16 reamer you would find on eBay and an old radius arm pin, the reamer was cut down and was drilled and tapped dead centre and the pin screwed in plus welded for extra strength and stability, has worked well for me certainly not as ideal as the original bmc tool but when they are as expensive and hard to find this is the next best thing

[tiger99]

You can buy pilots for reamers from one of the suppliers. I have not got the time right now as I have to go out, but Google will find them. It typically fits to the end of the reamer and has a sliding cone to centre in the other end of the hole. Not specific to Mini radius arms at all, and may be cheaper than having several arms reconditioned "professionally", to a standard over which you have no control.

 

I would suggest an adjustable reamer, and open it out very gently until you get the perfect fit that you desire. Somewhere near 1 thou should do, but check the Rover manual, and aim for the tightest limit, but no less..

 

Edit: Just back for a few minutes. Sutton Tools is the place to go. They seem to be international but do have a branch in Rotherham. The adjustable reamers are sort of metric sized, which is ok as the adjustment range is also quoted in inches, and the pilots are available separately. Have fun!

 

http://www.suttontoo.../trade-reamers/

Edited by tiger99, 15 July 2017 - 03:02 PM.

[Sovereign01]

Well after all my searching, the solution had been right under my nose the whole time! After contacting a local car restoration company they pointed me to a place called Bradbury Engineering whose machine shop had the tools for the reaming. These guys were literally a two-minute drive from where I live- long story short it was £25 per arm for the reaming, plus another £10 to remove and replace a bearing that I couldn't budge and I picked up the next day. Considering the alternative would have been a minimum of £50 per arm via exchange with Minispares, that's pretty awesome.

 

So if anyone within the Shropshire/Staffordshire area (they're right on the county border) needs their radius arms reaming, these guys are who you go to!

Edited by Sovereign01, 10 August 2017 - 04:37 PM.

[tiger99]

Well done, and that will be useful information for many people. At that price it would not be worth buying a tool just for 2 arms. Different if you plan to do many, of course.
Now it is up to you to keep them well greased and perhaps never (well not in the next 50k to 100k miles anyway) have to do them again.

The sun is shining, a good time to go out and enjoy the Mini if it is all together now. Have fun!

[Sovereign01]

Well done, and that will be useful information for many people. At that price it would not be worth buying a tool just for 2 arms. Different if you plan to do many, of course.
Now it is up to you to keep them well greased and perhaps never (well not in the next 50k to 100k miles anyway) have to do them again.

The sun is shining, a good time to go out and enjoy the Mini if it is all together now. Have fun!

Thanks, it's basically all together, just have to re-bleed the brakes, adjust the cone springs (luckily had the two 30mm spanners needed to undo them), and most importantly break out the grease gun! Still have a couple of repairs I need to carry out which I'll detail later.

 

Hopefully at least one other person finds this info useful and is spared the much more expensive alternative!