My Very Cheap Mini One D Dooer Upper...

My Very Cheap Mini One D Dooer Upper...

Author
Discussion

blaineuk

2,614 posts

246 months

Tuesday 4th October 2016
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Is it still jacked up, if so try it with wheels on the ground.

Smitters

3,995 posts

156 months

Wednesday 5th October 2016
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If the mechanics are sound, I would assume that a wire involved is only intermittently connecting. Obviously not a fun thing to find, but with your ratty mate snacking on the internals a bit, seems a plausible reason for the intermittent fault.

Sammo123

Original Poster:

2,103 posts

180 months

Wednesday 5th October 2016
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Ok, so I got back out there after work this evening and checked everything was doing what it was meant to be doing. Which it was. I got back in the car and started turning the wheel again and realised the steering was getting heavy in exactly the same spots every time. It suddenly occurred to me that it was likely to be the rack rather than the pump so I scurried under the car to disconnect the column with the intention of clamping some mole grips to it and see if it was the same. However, as I was taking the UJ off I noticed it was really stiff. I tried turning and twisting it and it was barely moving! I think I found the problem smile I sprayed the joint with a load of grease and tried wiggling it about. Slowly it got better but I think the joint is just worn out! So tomorrow I'll be getting a lower column on order. They look pretty simple to replace so should have that done on Saturday smile

Seeing as I'd (hopefully) got to the bottom of that problem I figured I'd do a little more before dinner. I'd borrowed a diagnostic computer from one of the techs at work today with the intention of getting all the warning lights off the dash. I plugged it in and there were a few engine codes, ABS sensor codes and drivers airbag codes. I cleared them all and the only one to come back was the airbag one. Now I've removed the airbag and fitted some resistors to switch the light off so I figured one of them wasn't making a good connection. I stripped the plugs back and got the resistors in tight and taped them up. I cleared the airbag code again and it stayed off smile Now that was sorted I could fit the steering properly along with the horn button! Once that was back on it was time for one more start to check it was all doing what it should smile

https://vimeo.com/185692346


Sammo123

Original Poster:

2,103 posts

180 months

Wednesday 5th October 2016
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Oh, and since clearing the codes the idle has settled down!!!

smn159

12,448 posts

216 months

Wednesday 5th October 2016
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Top work!!!

Well done!!!

Shadow R1

3,798 posts

175 months

Wednesday 5th October 2016
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Good one. smile

dom9

8,040 posts

208 months

Wednesday 5th October 2016
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Meant to log back in and ask about UJs! Great news biggrin

Sammo123

Original Poster:

2,103 posts

180 months

Thursday 6th October 2016
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Steering column has been ordered so I'll collect it on Saturday and hopefully get a chance to fit it this weekend smile I looked at getting one from a breaker but figured it might end up being as knackered as the current one, so I've scraped my pennies together and ordered a shiny new one from MINI!

Smitters

3,995 posts

156 months

Thursday 6th October 2016
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Ace! Next instalment soon then!

Sammo123

Original Poster:

2,103 posts

180 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
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Afternoon,

So, yesterday I popped down to BMW and collected the new steering column. Unfortunately I didn't have any time to actually get it fitted so my fingers were crossed that I'd get some time today instead. This morning, after watching the F1 and keeping my Daughter entertained for a couple of hours I ventured into the marquee to get the column replaced!

First things first was to get it all unwrapped and make sure I had all the bits!

One brand spanking new (bloody expensive!) steering column.



The old column took about 20 minutes to remove and then I could start to compare its movement with the new one!

https://vimeo.com/186143572

I refitted the new one and then it was the moment of truth. Would the steering work smoothly???

https://vimeo.com/186143584

With that little issue sorted reasonably quickly I still had time to bleed the front brakes and the clutch slave cylinder. Once that was done the front wheels went back on and the car was lowered back onto the floor. I decided at this point I should make sure it moved so I jumped back in and with my fingers crossed stuck it in reverse. IT MOVED!!!!

So it's nearly there. Just a few little bits and bobs to finish off, get the tracking done and get an MOT!

The relief knowing I'm nearly there is unbelievable! I never intended on letting it take this long but as with everything, life just got in the way a bit!






Shadow R1

3,798 posts

175 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
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Great stuff. smile

bungz

1,960 posts

119 months

Monday 10th October 2016
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Super!

Well done smile

Peanut Gallery

2,418 posts

109 months

Monday 10th October 2016
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Congrats!

(And I will sheepishly say that it has taken me this long to get the comment about it being a little cold for wearing shorts...)

Jellyfish

52 posts

131 months

Monday 10th October 2016
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Well done. What with work, fixing fences and sheds, looking after your young daughter, etc, etc. Good on you for perservering!

Sammo123

Original Poster:

2,103 posts

180 months

Monday 10th October 2016
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Thanks everyone smile I must admit that I'm glad to nearly have it finished!

I actually managed to get an hour or so on it this evening. Just sorting out little niggly bits really. First of all the drivers central locking motor was dead. I bought a replacement ages ago so got on with that. It was a bit of a pain in the arse to squeeze past the window regulator but only took about half an hour in total and now the lock works smile

While the door card was off I replaced the speakers with a set of In Phase components that I bought a little while ago. I ran out of time to do the other door but it shouldn't take long anyway. I also fitted my Alpine head unit and remembered to take a picture!



When I replace the speakers in the passenger door I'll get a picture (probably!)

Last thing I did before heading inside was to fit the matching handbrake gaiter. It was a real pain the arse to fit and it's a bit baggy but it will do. Definitely looks better than the brittle, torn original that was fitted!



Sammo123

Original Poster:

2,103 posts

180 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
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Thought I'd give you another update on this.

After getting the car back on its wheels and ready to drive I decided it was time for a run around the block. So the driveway was cleared and in I jumped! Exciting stuff!!!

I reversed off the driveway and turned the wheel to swing into the road, and that's where it all went wrong. There was a sudden clonk and I lost drive. At the same time I lost the power steering! Cue me having to push it back onto the driveway and into the marquee! I gave it a disgusted last look, zipped up the marquee and went inside.

That was about a month ago. Since then I have had absolutely no desire to go anywhere near it. The thought of even having to look at it filled me with hate! However, today after sitting around the house for a few hours I decided it was time to get back out there and sort the bloody thing out!

I got it jacked up and scrambled underneath. As I had originally suspected, the flexible power steering pipes had come uncoupled from the hard pipes. I clipped them back on as far as they went and then gave them a pull. They came straight back off again! I pulled them all the way off again, sprayed a bit of brake cleaner around the clips and then pushed them on again. This time they went on further with a satisfying clonk at the end. I gave them another pull and they stayed put smile

I then turned my attention to the clonk and loss of drive. I knew exactly what it was. The N/S driveshaft. Or to be more precise the cv joint! I took the wheel off, undid the hub nut and track rod end and surprise, surprise the shaft and joint had parted company. I can only assume that when I reassembled the driveshaft that I didn't whack the joint all the way home on the shaft (that'll teach me to try and rush!). With a couple of whacks of the mallet the joint was all the way on the shaft, but refitting it will have to wait as I don't have anymore cv gaiter clips!

That's me all up to date with the progress again. I'll grab some clips from work tomorrow and try and muster up a bit of enthusiasm one evening this week to refit the driveshaft and try again for the test drive!

Shadow R1

3,798 posts

175 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
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Doing a great job with it, I would have phoned tow a wreck ages ago. hehe

Do the inphase speakers make a big difference ?
They do a set for my car I have been looking at.

Sammo123

Original Poster:

2,103 posts

180 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
quotequote all
Shadow R1 said:
Doing a great job with it, I would have phoned tow a wreck ages ago. hehe

Do the inphase speakers make a big difference ?
They do a set for my car I have been looking at.
I've not got round to fitting the other one yet. Once they're both in I'll let you know if they're any good!

s p a c e m a n

10,752 posts

147 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
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Radio X thumbup

Nick L

19 posts

103 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
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Top wok hats off to you for persevering. Makes my basic spanner skills look...... well basic.