Classic Mini Special Tools

Classic Mini Special Tools

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Discussion

JonnyAlpha

Original Poster:

5 posts

68 months

Monday 20th August 2018
quotequote all
Hi;

I am salvaging a couple of Metro Engines for Minis and will also be doing a drum to disc conversion on my Austin Mini HLE 1000 Saloon.
It has a Verto Clutch.

To split the engines I think I will at least need a flywheel puller - any recommendations?
To do the drum brake conversion will I need a ball joint splitter? If so again any recommendations?

Ta

Lotobear

6,288 posts

128 months

Monday 20th August 2018
quotequote all

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-Tools-0301-Flywhe...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-Ball-Joint-Separa...

I use both of these and they work perfectly.

If you're unlucky you may have a flywheel which has cold welded itself onto the crank - these can be a bh to remove. If it seems like it won't come, leave overnight and return to it.

Don't buy a flywheel locking tool - an old bearing shell wedged between the starter housing and ring gear works a treat.

I use a 900mm breaker bar and appropriate socket on the big nut

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

255 months

Monday 20th August 2018
quotequote all
Lotobear said:
If you're unlucky you may have a flywheel which has cold welded itself onto the crank - these can be a bh to remove. If it seems like it won't come, leave overnight and return to it.
They can be absolute sods to get off. If it's a really tight one, ensure you are standing to one side whilst tightening, and if you leave it overnight put something down to give it a soft landing. Things get quite tense when you have to resort to heat as well as a puller wound up to bursting point.

The flywheel on my dads Metro Turbo had fretted onto the crank and made a real mess of the taper. Had to get the taper metal sprayed and ground back to size to fix that.

OP do you have a suitable 30mm socket for removing the Verto flywheel bolt?

JonnyAlpha

Original Poster:

5 posts

68 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
Mr2Mike said:
They can be absolute sods to get off. If it's a really tight one, ensure you are standing to one side whilst tightening, and if you leave it overnight put something down to give it a soft landing. Things get quite tense when you have to resort to heat as well as a puller wound up to bursting point.

The flywheel on my dads Metro Turbo had fretted onto the crank and made a real mess of the taper. Had to get the taper metal sprayed and ground back to size to fix that.

OP do you have a suitable 30mm socket for removing the Verto flywheel bolt?
I have a Halfords Professional Socket Set which has a range of impact sockets - i'll check if there is a 30mm one.

JonnyAlpha

Original Poster:

5 posts

68 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
JonnyAlpha said:
I have a Halfords Professional Socket Set which has a range of impact sockets - i'll check if there is a 30mm one.
Mmm, I don't have a 30mm one only a 34mm one which I think I had to get for the steering wheel boss.

Minispares do a 30mm Flywheel Socket for £9.00 here:
http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Accessor...

And Halfords do one for £8.99 (no postage obviously) so its about £2 cheaper, the only difference is the Minispares one is shorter and does not specify the drive size?

I guess the length of the socket is not an issue when removing the Flywheel.

JonnyAlpha

Original Poster:

5 posts

68 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
Lotobear said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-Tools-0301-Flywhe...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-Ball-Joint-Separa...

I use both of these and they work perfectly.

If you're unlucky you may have a flywheel which has cold welded itself onto the crank - these can be a bh to remove. If it seems like it won't come, leave overnight and return to it.

Don't buy a flywheel locking tool - an old bearing shell wedged between the starter housing and ring gear works a treat.

I use a 900mm breaker bar and appropriate socket on the big nut
For the breaker bar is 1/2 inch drive OK? Just found a Clarke 900mm breaker bar on eBay (new) for £30.78.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

255 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
1/2 inch should be fine, provided it's not made from cheese.

Lotobear

6,288 posts

128 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
I recently removed a flywheel from the MG Metro lump in my son's Mini to replace an oiled clutch and buggered primary seal.

I knew when it popped off relatively easily that something was wrong. Turned out the taper was mullered due to a previously fret welded flywheel - someone had cut the old one off with a grinded leaving two massive grooves in the taper in addition to the fretting. If I get a chance I will post some pics - it's not nice.

Bit the bullet and bought a new crank - Mini Sport were doing them for £320 complete with bearings and free delivery so it was a no brainer.

What turned out to be routine job ended up being a full engine rebuild including re bushing the primary gear to size with the new crank, gasket kit, oil pump, head overhaul, diff output seals, gearbox linkage seal etc.

Don't you just love Minis!

anonymous-user

54 months

Saturday 25th August 2018
quotequote all
When taking the flywheel off remember to remove the locking washer before fitting the puller to the flywheel...

Also a dab of paint on the flywheel and clutch parts prior to removal will aid correctly assembly if things have been balanced together.

Lotobear

6,288 posts

128 months

Sunday 26th August 2018
quotequote all
..and it's not a bad idea to remove the flywheel bolt as well