#quarantinebusyworkthat all new 2021 mini coming together! looks great chris! lol
gj, that's a lot of work.
Here’s one of two large dustpans full. Knocked off from beating on it to break things loose. Pretty much all part of something connected to the subframe. The body itself is pretty clean other than the taillight I fixed. That’s a common rust maker because of the factory assembly process. Catches water and salt in the lip.how much rust have you swept up? I'd imagine it's probably a few pounds lighter than new.
Let them do the work.Alrighty, back to this little beastie. The new bolts I ordered came in for the subframe. The label says they’re self-tapping. I bought a tap so I could chase the threads so I didn’t hose anything up while installing them. Should I still do that or let the bolt do the work? One false move and I’m toast.
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Alrighty, back to this little beastie. The new bolts I ordered came in for the subframe. The label says they’re self-tapping. I bought a tap so I could chase the threads so I didn’t hose anything up while installing them. Should I still do that or let the bolt do the work? One false move and I’m toast.
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grind em down! that sucks...so close!Got all the new hardware, hoses, bushing, ball joints, steering arms, and sway bar installed on the subframe and ready to go. Last thing to do was install the axles before I put the subframe in.
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Go to insert the axles and they don’t fit. I figure it was those damned snap rings in the end of the axle, but that wasn’t it. I measured the axles and they’re .050” larger than the ones I took out. Fuck me. Checked my order and they’re for the Cooper S (supercharged) and they’re bigger. The vendor’s website only gave me one option, and it didn’t say “S” in the product title so I didn’t second guess it. Until I read the description today and “Base” (non-S) wasn’t in the list. So waiting to see what the vendor wants to do. I really would prefer Chinese axles in this car over a European version for price reasons. We’ll see what they come back with. No chance getting it finished this weekend as hoped.
Yeah, missed it by *that* much. Vendor will take them back, shipping at my cost (I didn't read deeply enough into the "this fits" table). They didn't stock the right ones. Dammit. Found another vendor and made damn well sure I had the right car, right engine, and right transmission selected. I want this car done and out of my garage!grind em down! that sucks...so close!
congratulations! saved a ton in labor but probably cost ya a few years in life expectancy. Pro tip, clean before reassembly. lolLet there be axles! Now I can finally start reassembling things.
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Also try to get some degreaser on that nasty block back there...
Hell no. Where's the fun in that?congratulations! saved a ton in labor but probably cost ya a few years in life expectancy. Pro tip, clean before reassembly. lol
The wait time for parts was a PITA but project wise it’s been fairly straightforward. Getting rusted parts off was a challenge sometimes and got seriously lucky some didn’t snap. It’ll be at least half a peach when it’s running again.congratulations! saved a ton in labor but probably cost ya a few years in life expectancy. Pro tip, clean before reassembly. lol
That grease is the only thing keeping it from rusting and falling apart. Don’t do a pressure washer. Gaskets and seals don’t like it.The wait time for parts was a PITA but project wise it’s been fairly straightforward. Getting rusted parts off was a challenge sometimes and got seriously lucky some didn’t snap. It’ll be at least half a peach when it’s running again.
Debating on how to clean it, though. Engine degreaser and a pressure washer in the garage wouldn’t be one of my finer moments.
Then I reckon I’ll leave it alone. If the motor needs attention one day, reckon I’ll deal with it then,That grease is the only thing keeping it from rusting and falling apart. Don’t do a pressure washer. Gaskets and seals don’t like it.