Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes

Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes - Printable Version

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RE: Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes - Vinay-RS - 05-12-2018

Yeah, actually hoping to do the job this weekend. That sound from the front wheel is terrifying and isn't something I want to keep hearing when even taking a short drive.

RE: Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes - Vinay-RS - 05-13-2018

Had a fun day today. Well, not entirely. Lots of learning and finding quite a few things that didn't quite work.

So I decided to tackle the brake upgrade today. The first step was changing the rear wheel cylinders for the small diameter ones. People locally have reported that they do 180s if the standard cylinders are not changed.

I did not succeed in completing this simple first task, although, I got quite close and might need some advice on how to fix the current problem.
Firstly, these backplates really need to be spruced up. I think at some point in the future, all of this needs to come off and be cleaned and painted.
[Image: 20JchBw.jpg]

Anyone notice something about the new and old wheel cylinders?
[Image: 5mi2iTe.jpg]

Yup, the locating pins don't match. So, I was advised to drill the back plate or the wheel cylinder. I had access to a drill press but not a hand drill, so wheel cylinders it was.

Got them drilled out and fitted. Then faffed around for quite a while with the circlip (because I never bothered to get that Minispares tool for the job). I followed the shifty approach and one of the suggestions under it. Bent a tab, got two in and then used a screwdriver and hammer to get the last one over.

When disassembling, I found that both sets of shoes had been fitted incorrectly. Probably by me (long ago when I tried to work on the brakes myself). Anyway, it looks like they have worn incorrectly and now even with the adjuster all the way back (I rotated it back to slacken the brakes (I think this is correct?)), the drum doesn't slide onto the shoes.

So, I gave up for the night and decided to post this update.

This is where the Mini sleeps tonight. The second picture shows the drum not on properly.
[Image: KYnhru0.jpg]

Does anyone have any advice on how to get the drum to clear? I hope there's a solution I can do with basic tools and doesn't involve a brake specialist.

RE: Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes - Vinay-RS - 05-13-2018

Also, big success today! The rear brakes are back on and it is on its wheels at the back. Now to do the front brakes.

RE: Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes - Vinay-RS - 05-13-2018

So, tried to do the front brakes. The nuts for the flexible hoses were really tight and when I tried to turn them, it started to round the head, so I stopped. So, I figured since the wheels were off, I'd fit the new shocks as they were apparently the source of the squeaking.

Then I put it all back together. Torqued up everything. Also, I know the source of the terrible metal-on-metal scratching sound now, it is definitely the drive flange (the bit with the wheel studs). There is so much play there, it is terrifying.

Then I tried to use the bleeder kit I bought yesterday. Turns out it doesn't fit on the front bleed nipple. So in complete dismay, I put the wheels back on, pushed the car out of the tunnel I was using to work on it and parked it at the back.

Oh, and the best part about the shock swap? The squeaking is still there. As loud and annoying as ever.

So now, there are no brakes, the discs were not fitted and I've got no way to fit them. The money spent on the shocks was a waste as they solve the problem and now it means that I'm guessing the full front suspension will need another overhaul (which was done when the new lower arms, bushings, tie rods and knuckle joints were fitted by a professional) and I have no idea where to start now. I had kind of assumed that the pros know how to build Minis, so what could be causing that annoying squeaking sound?

Maybe it is time to take this car to bits and store it somewhere, then eventually restore each and every system, rather than trying to fix things as I go. Or maybe it is time to sell. I don't know anymore.

RE: Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes - DomMINIque - 05-14-2018

Buddy buddy buddy.

Deep breaths.
These little cars test us from time to time.

You'll regret selling it. That is for sure.

One step at a time and you'll get there.

RE: Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes - Vinay-RS - 05-15-2018

That's true man. At least I got the car home. I really want it to be more reliable though. I think that needs some more serious investment of time and money.

RE: Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes - Vinay-RS - 05-19-2018

One of our local Mini parts guys makes an awesome car cover for a Mini. I chatted to him and he also does a softer inner cover that is really soft. I got both covers in the middle of last week (Thursday morning) and fitted them that evening. The fit for the covers is really good and I love the feeling of the inner cover, it is super soft.

[Image: 84krRSh.jpg]

Also ordered the small components that I'll need to assemble the brakes - i.e. brake lines and circlips. Should be here early next week.

RE: Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes - Vinay-RS - 05-25-2018

Bit of an update. The car lost all its brakes on Monday evening. So, I chatted to a friend and took the car to him on Tuesday morning as I figured I'd not bled the brakes correctly. After a terrifying trip (given the fact that there are lots of hills and the stopping capacity of the Mini was non-existent), I got the car there and he found the source inside of a minute. No fluid in the master cylinder as it had all leaked out of the nearside front brake line fixture.

Anyway, after hearing the car run, we jacked up the car and started removing the brake components to check them. Like I'd mentioned before, the offside front flange refused to slide out. Turns out that was a blessing in disguise as the front bearing has disintegrated...
[Image: RsYPfoc.jpg]

So we took it all apart and also found that the inner CV joint boot on the nearside was missing and the balls had fallen out. His advice was to drain the oil, pull out the pot joints and service the whole assembly on the bench. It was good timing anyway as the Mini is yet to be serviced this year.

I needed to get new inner CV joint gaiters and was waiting on the brake lines and other bits I'd order. Well, the gaiters arrived on Thursday afternoon and the box of bits arrived on Friday morning. It's nice when new shiny parts arrive from across the world Smile

I'm hoping to go to his factory early next week and under his watch, clean and assemble all the components. I will do the work, so I learn, but at least someone with experience will be on hand to tell me when I'm not doing the job correctly.

RE: Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes - Jared Mk3 - 05-27-2018

Time to get those discs on Wink

RE: Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes - Vinay-RS - 05-27-2018

(05-27-2018, 10:29 AM)Jared Mk3 Wrote: Time to get those discs on

I will report back on Monday Smile