Amateur Restoration of a 1960 Morris Mini

[94touring]

Yep that's it. If you had the BT version with the additional blue wire it would ground to the chassis.

[scalpel_ninja]

Thanks gents!

On the topic of the radius arms, the shop tech pressed the old axles out the wrong way, sheared the circlip and reamed out my left side. The new axle just drops out and no longer has interference fit. The shop will be buying me a new radius arm fitted with a stub axle and bushing kit from MiniSpares. They said they did the right side correctly, but I don't trust them 100%, so when the left arm arrives, I'm going to have them press out the right side to inspect the interior, interference, and have them replace the circlip that was also ordered from MiniSpares.

[MiniDave]

Yes, that's correct.

And I agree, that circlip is not right, it needs to be done over. That must be an early car, it has welded radius arms?

[scalpel_ninja]

Yes, that's correct.

And I agree, that circlip is not right, it needs to be done over. That must be an early car, it has welded radius arms?

Yes, it's an early 1960 according to the chassis number.

[scalpel_ninja]

The shop under up replacing my left rear radius arm, freshly ordered from Mini Spares with a new pivot shaft and bushing kit. On the old one, the tech pressed the axle the wrong way, shearing the circlip and reamed/damaged the inside of the arm. With the wider diameter, the new axle would just freely slide in and out of place.

Now I'm left with having to install the bronze bushing on the new arm. I read it has to be reamed out parallel with the needle bearings and there's a special tool for that. Any recommendations?

[94touring]

I made a tool to do the job since no one sells it.  I'm out of town to be able to post a picture of how it looks.

[94touring]

Edit...I do have a picture. This is before  I had a bronze bushing machined to guide the needle bearing end.  I initial used pvc fittings that matched.

[MPlayle]

I think I have the actual "official" tool, though I have not used it.  I got it a while back when I thought I was going to have to rebuild a set of rear swing arms.

I checked some past emails and it looks like I got it from Mini Spares back in June 2023.

Here is the link to what I have:
https://www.minispares.com/tool33-mini-radius-arm-bush-removal-and-reaming-tool

[scalpel_ninja]

I think I have the actual "official" tool, though I have not used it.  I got it a while back when I thought I was going to have to rebuild a set of rear swing arms.

I checked some past emails and it looks like I got it from Mini Spares back in June 2023.

Here is the link to what I have:
https://www.minispares.com/tool33-mini-radius-arm-bush-removal-and-reaming-tool

If you happen to be willing to sell it to me, I might be interested in purchasing it. Or I could pay for round trip shipping to "rent" it from you.

[MPlayle]

PM sent.

[cdnmini]

I think I have the actual "official" tool, though I have not used it.  I got it a while back when I thought I was going to have to rebuild a set of rear swing arms.

I checked some past emails and it looks like I got it from Mini Spares back in June 2023.

Here is the link to what I have:
https://www.minispares.com/tool33-mini-radius-arm-bush-removal-and-reaming-tool

That tool works really well. Just need to take it real slow, you dont want to take too much material off at one time. When I bought mine several years ago, it came with hand written instructions. I've noticed Minispares have updated the instructions that include photos. 

[MPlayle]

Mine came with nicely printed instructions with pictures and diagrams.  I have not actually used the tool yet, just examined it and skimmed the instructions when it came.

I bought it thinking I was going to need to rebuild my rear arms and then found I did not need to rebuild them yet so put it aside with other special, Mini-specific tools for future use.

[94touring]

Only thing on that MS kit I'm not fond of is it's an adjustable reamer. Not that you can't get it right, but don't mess up.  The chuck reamer size should be 13/16.  Now that I have a lathe, I could make a kit to sell or rent I suppose.  Last time I lent out the one I made it came back with the threaded rod bent up and I've yet to repair it. There's straight shank reamers that if long enough would work really well for strength and accuracy. 

[MiniDave]

I borrowed one from one of the local Mini guys, it has both the reamer and a hone to dress the bushing. I've used Dan's reamer a couple of times and it worked perfectly. I have the reamer section too, but I would need to attach a rod and make the guide bushing.

MPlayle, on the MiniSpares kit, what is the flat piece with a hole at each end used for? I notice that the Spares kit includes drivers, I assume to remove and install the bushing and bearing?

Edit: Nevermind, I found the PDF with the picture showing how they use it

[scalpel_ninja]

Only thing on that MS kit I'm not fond of is it's an adjustable reamer. Not that you can't get it right, but don't mess up.  The chuck reamer size should be 13/16.  Now that I have a lathe, I could make a kit to sell or rent I suppose.  Last time I lent out the one I made it came back with the threaded rod bent up and I've yet to repair it. There's straight shank reamers that if long enough would work really well for strength and accuracy. 

I'd love to be able to buy a tool kit that doesn't cost as much as the one from Mini Spares.

I'm wondering: If the size of the bronze bearing needs to be reamed out to a known diameter of 13/16, then why doesn't it ship with it ready to install?

[94touring]

They might have the reamer pre adjusted, but that's something you'd definitely want to verify.  Being adjustable just adds complexity with a chance to screw it up.  I can buy a fluted 13/16 between $35-$50 depending. Then cost of the guide and maybe extension section for length.

[94touring]

Only thing on that MS kit I'm not fond of is it's an adjustable reamer. Not that you can't get it right, but don't mess up.  The chuck reamer size should be 13/16.  Now that I have a lathe, I could make a kit to sell or rent I suppose.  Last time I lent out the one I made it came back with the threaded rod bent up and I've yet to repair it. There's straight shank reamers that if long enough would work really well for strength and accuracy. 

I'd love to be able to buy a tool kit that doesn't cost as much as the one from Mini Spares.

I'm wondering: If the size of the bronze bearing needs to be reamed out to a known diameter of 13/16, then why doesn't it ship with it ready to install?

If you're asking why they aren't pre reamed, it's because once it's pressed in it will be squished smaller than 13/16. There are some types of bushings you can press that squish a certain way that allow them to be within specs.  I've seen an example of this on later year vw bus steering swing arms, but it's not your standard looking brass bushing.  On my king pins I had to buy a Hunger style reamer with various adjustments and conical guides on both ends. They're not exactly cheap either.

[MiniDave]

We did a set for a local Mini owner today, using a solid (one size) 13/16 reamer. The "kit" he has includes a hone to give it a final finish if needed.

I press the bushings and bearing in rather than tapping them in, and the bushing I use in the press does two things - it centers in the bushing which might prevent the end from being damaged, and it's wide enough that as you press it in it stops at the right level. Don't forget to put the plastic sleeve in before you put the needle bearing in - it goes in from the "big" end.....ask me why I know this! 

At any rate, on Zac's one was a perfect fit using only the reamer and the other was a tight fit, but we decided it wasn't tight enough to need further work.

[scalpel_ninja]

Turns out I'm going to replace the right radius arm too. Figured if the left is new, the right should match. Also the handbrake quadrants won't have to be mounted differently.

I might swap out the steering rack at a later time. I saw there's a 2.2 turn rack as opposed to the stock 2.7 turn? Any thoughts or experiences with the quick turn rack?

[MiniDave]

Are you running 10" wheels? If so the 2.2 could be fun, but with the big wheels the effort is too high....

[scalpel_ninja]

Are you running 10" wheels? If so the 2.2 could be fun, but with the big wheels the effort is too high....

Yes, 10 inch wheels.