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#1
Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini
Last post by 94touring - July 26, 2024, 09:20:01 PMYeah that's strange with the rust look discoloration. Are they possibly burnt and have a rust appearance?
#2
Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini
Last post by MiniDave - July 26, 2024, 05:27:42 PMI had to use a puller to press the axle out of the bearings, it's like it was all rusted together even tho I greased it thoroughly when I put it together, and I'm not sure it's been driven in the rain since I put it all together.
At any rate, when I pulled the bearings out it was clear they were toast, the outer one in particular was really rough, I'm not sure how much further it would have gone before it failed completely - but I'm glad my instincts are still accurate on diagnosis. It almost looked like they'd been underwater, even tho there was still plenty of clean grease on them.
So I've cleaned it all up and drove the old races out and new ones in, new bearings are packed and seals are installed. I found the upper ball joint was pretty free, bottom one is still stiff so I'll do like Dan and re-shim it, grease everything up and see if I can find some new boots.
Before I can put it all back together I still need to clean up the end of the axle and run the die down over it, and clean the seal surfaces and grease it all up, then it's fairly quick to put it all back in the car.
Then it will be decision time - tear the other side down too or just assume it's OK? I have plenty of parts in stock at least.....I always keep front and rear bearings on hand.
At any rate, when I pulled the bearings out it was clear they were toast, the outer one in particular was really rough, I'm not sure how much further it would have gone before it failed completely - but I'm glad my instincts are still accurate on diagnosis. It almost looked like they'd been underwater, even tho there was still plenty of clean grease on them.
So I've cleaned it all up and drove the old races out and new ones in, new bearings are packed and seals are installed. I found the upper ball joint was pretty free, bottom one is still stiff so I'll do like Dan and re-shim it, grease everything up and see if I can find some new boots.
Before I can put it all back together I still need to clean up the end of the axle and run the die down over it, and clean the seal surfaces and grease it all up, then it's fairly quick to put it all back in the car.
Then it will be decision time - tear the other side down too or just assume it's OK? I have plenty of parts in stock at least.....I always keep front and rear bearings on hand.
#3
Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini
Last post by MiniDave - July 26, 2024, 02:08:24 PMOn the last day of the Event in Spearfish, I thought I heard a bearing going bad in the left front of the car, but even after being on the highway for several hours it wasn't any hotter than the other side and there wasn't any play in it, so I decided to carry on. I got home with no problems, but last weekend I drove to breakfast with the A&T group and it seemed even louder, so today I decided to go ahead and take it apart.
I got the caliper, disc and flange off OK, and there's no damage evident in the bearing - plenty of grease in it and so on BUT - I got the axle nut off with a lot of work, and found the end of the axle banged up pretty good - no idea how that happened, since it couldn't have been like that when I put it together or I never would have been able to get the nut on. So......I've spent the last hour trying to clean up the end of the axle so I can run a die onto it - I had to fix one of Don's axles a while ago so I have the correct die to re-thread it.
Since the nut sits quite a ways down the threads it won't hurt if I wind up taking an eighth of an inch off the end of the axle to clean it up.
I can't quite get the axle out of the hub, so I went and bought a brass hammer so I can get it out without smashing down the end of the axle again. Once I get the die to run down the threads then I know the nut will go back on cleanly - if not I have a couple of spare used nuts on hand too.
More as it happens.....
I got the caliper, disc and flange off OK, and there's no damage evident in the bearing - plenty of grease in it and so on BUT - I got the axle nut off with a lot of work, and found the end of the axle banged up pretty good - no idea how that happened, since it couldn't have been like that when I put it together or I never would have been able to get the nut on. So......I've spent the last hour trying to clean up the end of the axle so I can run a die onto it - I had to fix one of Don's axles a while ago so I have the correct die to re-thread it.
Since the nut sits quite a ways down the threads it won't hurt if I wind up taking an eighth of an inch off the end of the axle to clean it up.
I can't quite get the axle out of the hub, so I went and bought a brass hammer so I can get it out without smashing down the end of the axle again. Once I get the die to run down the threads then I know the nut will go back on cleanly - if not I have a couple of spare used nuts on hand too.
More as it happens.....
#4
The Lounge / Re: Fed Ex is F***ed up
Last post by MPlayle - July 26, 2024, 06:41:24 AMDHL is now one of Mini Sport's options, but it was also significantly more expensive.
#5
Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Leaky fuel pump (?)
Last post by ADRay - July 26, 2024, 06:08:10 AMthanks again everyone.
this is where I go to get clear, concise and experienced answers to all of my odd (Mini related anyway) questions that I can't get anywhere else.
I really appreciate it.
this is where I go to get clear, concise and experienced answers to all of my odd (Mini related anyway) questions that I can't get anywhere else.
I really appreciate it.
#6
The Lounge / Re: Fed Ex is F***ed up
Last post by MiniDave - July 25, 2024, 06:52:46 PMI've requested Mini Sport to use DHL - they never do.....
#7
Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Leaky fuel pump (?)
Last post by MiniDave - July 25, 2024, 06:50:45 PMYes, as long as you use new gaskets, then it should stay dry! 
I'm kidding, like they said, it sits way above the oil level, so no worries....
I'm kidding, like they said, it sits way above the oil level, so no worries....
#8
Parts for sale/wanted / Tow Dolly for Sale
Last post by MPlayle - July 25, 2024, 03:29:59 PMPosting here first:
EZ-Tow brand tow dolly. Lightly used for towing my classic Minis. I have all the original paperwork as I am the original owner. This is the "idler" model meaning no brakes. It has LED lights, 4-way flat connector.
It will come with the original "basket" style straps (demonstrated in the pictures below with a 6x10 Mini wheel/tire) and a set of safety chains. It has the factory optional casters for storing upright.
Asking $1200.00 (obo)
EZ-Tow brand tow dolly. Lightly used for towing my classic Minis. I have all the original paperwork as I am the original owner. This is the "idler" model meaning no brakes. It has LED lights, 4-way flat connector.
It will come with the original "basket" style straps (demonstrated in the pictures below with a 6x10 Mini wheel/tire) and a set of safety chains. It has the factory optional casters for storing upright.
Asking $1200.00 (obo)
#9
The Lounge / Re: Fed Ex is F***ed up
Last post by BruceK - July 25, 2024, 01:30:08 PMCrazy. I'm very fortunate that I've had better luck recently. Yesterday I received a parts order (including wheel bearings!) from an auto parts supplier in Dubai. (These were not Mini parts).
I placed my order online on the 17th and it arrived on my doorstep 7 days later on the 24th via DHL. I think that's the difference. DHL really seems to their importing act together. Everything comes in through the port of Cleveland and they start working on the Customs clearances days before the packages they carry physically enter the US. I signed up for their shipment tracking and customs notifications and was kept informed via text all through the process. My package was not actually picked up in Dubai until Sunday, so it only took 3 or 4 days in transit. And no paperwork on my part at all. (The order was worth about $130). So if you have a choice of selecting DHL as the carrier I would suggest trying them.
I placed my order online on the 17th and it arrived on my doorstep 7 days later on the 24th via DHL. I think that's the difference. DHL really seems to their importing act together. Everything comes in through the port of Cleveland and they start working on the Customs clearances days before the packages they carry physically enter the US. I signed up for their shipment tracking and customs notifications and was kept informed via text all through the process. My package was not actually picked up in Dubai until Sunday, so it only took 3 or 4 days in transit. And no paperwork on my part at all. (The order was worth about $130). So if you have a choice of selecting DHL as the carrier I would suggest trying them.
#10
Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Leaky fuel pump (?)
Last post by 94touring - July 25, 2024, 10:12:32 AMI wouldn't think you'd lose any oil.