The Club's Tools

[Minidave]

Ok, the club is now the proud owner of the following tools to loan......

1) Supercharger tensioner tool

2) E12 Torx socket - used to remove the lower bolt on 04-06 and 05-08 convert. right side motor mounts.

(Thanks to Davester)

In addition, I have the following tools which I will lend to Club members....

3) Supercharger pulley puller

4) Rear brake pad piston tool set

5) Bentley Manual - 1st Gen cars only

6) 36mm Socket for oil filter - 1st Gen cars

7) 27mm Socket for oil filter - 2nd Gen cars

8 ) Brake bleeder setup ..... thanks to Hagar!

Contact me if you need to borrow something....... Home 913-648-6339 Cell 913-707-3762 Work 913-585-9019 - direct line

[ksminiman]

I currently have the pulley puller and the tensioner tool.

[Minidave]

Can anyone think of any other special MINI tools we should have in our tool box?

[davester]

How about car ramps with the long approach for oil changes. I've seen them on line somewhere. Maybe a brake bleeder??
http:/www.discountramps.com/index.htm
take a look at these ramps-
check the UR6520

[Minidave]

Ramps are a good idea, a dual post lift would be even better!

I like the brake bleeder idea too, and maybe one of those oil change sucker-outers like MiniGeoff has?

Edit: I've seen plastic ramps, no heavier than our cars are I doubt we need 9,000lb rated ramps!

[davester]

see edit of last post

[Hagar46]

I have a brake bleeder from ProMini that I would donate to the cause.

[Minidave]

Davester, for only $50 those ramps would be a good buy I think, and they would make oil changes and supercharger belts much easier to do - good find.

Madame treasurer?

[ksminiman]

Dave could you post up a picture of the rear brake piston tool? I figured one would be needed. Just looking at the pad design I couldnt help but think, "this will be fun."

[davester]

The ramps with the extensions are $49.99 plus $28.00 S&H. I did some research on the ramps. The drive up on the ramps would clear the valance under the bumper but the stopping area on top is only nine inches. My tires are nine inches wide
( 215/45R17)-- Don't know if it would work. They said it would be snug. I know it would fit the OE size of 205/45R17 or 16" or 15". Dave, with your engineering maybe it would work.
http://www.discountramps.com/images/aut ... 6500-3.jpg

[Minidave]

Dave could you post up a picture of the rear brake piston tool? I figured one would be needed. Just looking at the pad design I couldnt help but think, "this will be fun."

Davester, I don't think that extra 1/2" would matter as long as the tire was firmly on the ramp.....but you're the tire expert around here.

[ksminiman]

Ok thats what i thought it was. About those ramps. those seem expensive. I sell the plastic ones at work (advance auto parts) for $30-40 and making an extension out of wood would not be a difficult task. Just a suggestion.

[Hagar46]

My plastic ramps from Advance Auto work just fine without modification, but I'm JustaCooper with 15" tires.

[davester]

OK Tom, your elected to build the ramp approach. Attaching the ramp to the approach so it does not slide is questionable. Im ready to save the club some money.
I asked about clearance from Discount Ramps on there ramps and he replied--
"How many inches from the center of the front axle at the wheel out to
the point in front of the tire where that skirting is at 4" is located?
A complicating factor when trying to purchase a generic set of ramp for
many vehicles is all the different diameter wheels, tires and tire
profiles that people tend to put on as aftermarket items."
I measured 18" and he replied--
"Hello, that would be a 12.9 degree angle"
This might help when building the extension.

[ksminiman]

no problem. I will get a set of the ramps and wood to make the approaches. What Ill do is make them for lowered cars so if we can get a minimum ground clearance on the lowest car that will be helpful as far as how long I need to make these. I will router grooves into the wood for traction then make a fastening system to hold everything together. probably a few dowels that will fit into holes drilled into the ramps to hold the wood still.

I will keep all my receipts for materials purchases for the build. This should be fun!

[davester]

Tom Bob-- YOU- DA- MAN

[Minidave]

And when the heck are you gonna do all this?

You're building supercharger wrenches, working for Ford, going to school and working for Advance, and now you're gonna find time to build ramps - not to mention, YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND!!!!

[ksminiman]

I am superman. Plain and simple

Beautiful isnt she?

Honestly I think the tensioner tools will take the longest. I hope to have it all done before spring break which is in a few weeks. I plan to get the ramps this Friday to see what modifications and materials will be necessary. I will also hopefully get the materials for the tensioner tools sourced and purchased. Then I plan to design a jig to make welding the tensioner tools much easier. Building the ramp extensions will be very strait forward. get a number of boards cut the correct angles and bolt them together. put grooves in one of the boards on either side for traction and make a fastening system. I have all the tools at my house to make the ramps. just have to get bolts and wood (and the plastic ramps)

sound good?

[MiniGeoff]

I've GOT some ramps I'll donate, but they'll need something because I know they are too steep for me anyway.

And I'll at least volunteer the use of my nifty oil pumper, but I need to get some new hoses for it. They got old and cracked, and that makes it hard to create a vacuum!

[Minidave]

An interesting How-To article on an inexpensive brake bleeder setup from the BMW Club, I may attempt this......

http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/bleeder.htm

[Hagar46]

Looks like mine for which I paid good money! If you don't make your own, you can use mine, Minidave.

[minicoopers43]

Does the club have a Haynes or Bentley service manual?

[Counterfit_Mini]

Does the club have a Haynes or Bentley service manual?

I have both for a classic mini... I don't think that helps for your's though. LOL

[ksminiman]

I may be able to help with questions. I have access to shopkey.

[davester]

Tom Bob-- How are the tool manufactures coming along?