Maintenance time! Help Wanted!

[minicoopers43]

Well I've been putting off all of this for over a year now and I am finally getting a decent tax return so I'm planning on buying all of the parts below within the next week or so. I have gone through most of the procedures on NAM and I think the only tool I don't have is the Brake caliper piston tool. Also looking for volunteers to help me soon, perhaps a garage day is in order!

Ireland Engineering Fixed Camber plates (non-adjustable) R50 R52 R53
$180.00 x = $180.00

Crankshaft Position Sensor O-ring
$4.00 x = $4.00

OEM MINI Oil Filter R50,R53
$8.50 x = $8.50

Powerflex Front Control Arm Polyurethane Bushing kit
$79.95 x = $79.95

Zimmerman Brake Rotors R50 R53 R52 Front
$150.00 x = $150.00

EBC Greenstuff Brake Pads R50/R53
$79.95 x = $79.95

OEM CV Boot kit
$60.00 x = $120.00

Subtotal:
$622.40

[Minidave]

You only need the caliper piston tool to do the rear brakes, just FYI. But either way I have the tool and will be happy to loan it to you.

Of all those repairs only the caliper boots and control arm bushings may give you some trouble.....do you have something else to drive if you can't get it done all at once?

[minicoopers43]

Good thing to know about the caliper piston tool!
What about the Torx bolt that holds the rotor on. Thats my biggest worry... I struggled with the rear for about an hour and still couldn't get it loose, finally just decided to leave the rotors on.
For the Control arm bushings I had planned on using a long bolt w/ some different sized sockets and washers to press out the old bushing. Probably sounds confusing but it makes sense in my head
If it takes more than a weekend my wife will be more than happy to carpool with me in our Grand Cherokee

[Minidave]

I have the trick for the Torx bolts, I have an air powered impact wrench....a little soak with PB Blaster and they come right out. Depending on where you plan to do the work itself, you could just run by my place and we can zap them out, then you could go where you're going to work and carry on.

The right way to do the control arm bushings is with a press, I have one we can use, but it's at my job in Desoto. You can take the arms off and we can take them out there and press them.....or if someone closer in has one we could use....

Once I retire all my tools will be back at my house so I don't have to drive 40 miles to use some of them..........sighs

I definitely think we should organize a garage day for this, what part of town do you live in? Now that the weather's starting to co-operate I'm pretty much available to supervise, or watch!

[minicoopers43]

I live in Greenwood, it's south of Lee's Summit off 150 hwy.
Dave, I'll definitely stop by your place to get those torx bolts out before we start.
If nobody closer has a press I don't mind giving some gas money to drive wherever is needed to press them.
As for the date, maybe the first or second saturday of March (5th or 12th)? If anyone prefers a certain date then shout it out.

[boxer]

These are the things I am also looking to replace in the near future. The control are bushings can be purchased thru Way Motorsports as whole units, just bolt removal. I would like to assist for the hands on time, maybe can do my car also if time permits.

[Minidave]

March 5th would work better for me....I'm out of town the week of the 12th.

[minicoopers43]

I got all parts ordered today and they'll ship tomorrow so I will have everything in plenty of time for March 5th so we'll plan on that day @ my house. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=802+Hunti ... 32093&z=14
Looks like it's just Me, Dave, and maybe Boxer? so far.
I have a floor jack and 2 jack stands so if we'll be working on more than one at a time someone will want to bring more.
I'll see if I can borrow my dads torque wrench, CV boot clamp pliers, and big hammer(strut tower fixage!) unless someone wants to bring theirs?

[BeansRacing]

I am also available the 5th.. I would be willing to help if needed.. I know i can at least give emotional support.

[Minidave]

I know it's across town, but woud you rather do this at my house, where I know I have all the tools?

And Bean's, what possessed you to put a 5.0 in your PT Cruiser? Sounds like a fun ride!

[minicoopers43]

I don't mind doing it @ your place Dave, that is also closer for anyone else that is helping.
As long as you don't mind if you have a crippled MINI in your way if for some reason we can't finish in a day.

What time shall we get started? I'm not sure how late people sleep in when they're not in their early 20's

[Minidave]

9-ish is fine with me. If you want to start earlier, we can arrange that too....I meet friends for breakfast at a nearby restaurant on Sats at 8, I'm usually home by 9.

It won't matter if the car stays overnight, we can work around that. The best thing is to work to completion of one job at a time, that way if we have to stop the car is potentially driveable, where folks get in trouble is trying to accomplish too much all at once.

Any tools I don't have are at most 20 minutes away at my work in Desoto, and the press is there too. Did you decide to buy just the bushings or the training arms with the bushes already installed? Don't forget you'll need an alignment after changing those.

I have the torque wrench and BFH, but bring the boot clamp pliers....

[minicoopers43]

I got bushings only, so we'll definitely need the press.

I will call a local shop and schedule an alignment for the following Monday.
I can't wait to feel the difference in handling and ride quality.

[GrayGuy]

With my current schedule I can make March 5th AM for garage day and at least lend some moral support and don't mind some MINI grease/oil. Better yet I get to know my new (to me) MINI and meet some like minded folks. Steve

[boxer]

Say Dave. If the garage day is moved to your garage, I will need an address to find the garage please.

[Minidave]

I'll send a PM out to everyone who's coming when we get closer to the date, there may be a few more volunteers yet....

[Punk_Mini]

I haven't been to a garage day in a very long time, I will be in town for this and I am more then willing to lend a hand also

[Minidave]

Excellent! Thanks Alex, your help will be greatly appreciated.......look forward to seeing you at my place. I'll send out a PM Wed with my address to everyone that's said they're coming and if anyone needs directions, I can send them too. Otherwise, just plug it into your Garmin or phone!

Right now we have
1) Minidave - host
2) Dimini
3) minicoopers43
4) Punk-Mini
5) Boxer
6) GrayGuy
7) Beansracing
8 ) Davester
9) IowaM1N1



There's an old German saying "Many hands makes for quick work", we should have plenty of hands!

[Counterfit_Mini]

Wish I could come hang out and watch but I gotta work.

[minicoopers43]

I never expected this much help, this is Great!
I'll have to give you all a MTTS sticker from 2006 I got a whole bunch of them with my order from WMW

[IowaM1N1]

I may show up, too.

PM me with the address, Dave.

[Minidave]

Glad to have you , Greg!

Who's bringing the Krispy Kremes?

PM sent to all.....

[BeansRacing]

I will be there for sure. Since i am one of the guys in their mid 20's, i may be a few minutes late. and ill tell ya more about the PT Project there..

[minicoopers43]

I got the Krispy Kremes covered!

[davester]

If y'all don't mind, i'd like to lend a hand