Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes

[Vinay-RS]

So, another day without a running Mini But, still some progress was made. Got all the bits to my friend's workshop, got the driveshafts cleaned and assembled.



Unfortunately, the brake line on the nearside front refused to come loose from the subframe and we ran out of daylight and time. Hopefully, tomorrow we can get it fitted and torqued up, and then bleed the system.

[MDG]

The driveshaft rebuilds look great!

[Vinay-RS]

The driveshaft rebuilds look great!

Thanks, man. I do hope we can eventually get the car running and driving again. 

Really starting to feel like one step forward and two steps back with this car. When one thing gets fixed, something else breaks. 

Today we got the assemblies fitted on one side, only to find that the steering arm was bent. So we took off the arm and used the old one off the drum brake hub. Then my friend got the seized line off with a torch and then an angle grinder. Eventually, all the pipes were put back in place and the new lines were fitted with some fresh copper grease on the threads to keep it from seizing again. Here are the fitted components with everything torqued up to the book specs. 



I like the look of the new brake lines. They are pretty. 


Then some new oil and filter with some thread tape on the dodgy sump plug to prevent it from leaking. (It leaks a lot...) The car did need a service so this is good timing too. 

We then started to bleed the brakes and halfway through pumping, the pedal wouldn't depress anymore and no fluid would come out. Turns out the master cylinder had failed and was jammed. It needs to come out and be rebuilt. Hence, me saying one component keeps failing after another. 

It helps that my friend is experienced as he can tell me what is wrong and what works. Problem is, I really am starting to feel disheartened. The only saving grace is that everything seems to be failing in succession and I've either had the parts to fix it or it was spotted before something worse happened. First was the wheel bearing, then the wheel cylinder and the pot joint gaiter and now the master cylinder. 

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Also, let me not end on a bad note. I will get the car fixed with my friend's help. He already told me how we need to take out the master cylinder and what follows from there. So we shall do the job. Probably not soon though, due to work commitments, which is a bit frustrating.

[MDG]

Well, a positive outlook would be that you learning lots :-)

Keep up with the good work, it will be worth it in the end!

[minitim]

Keep at it Vinay, you are doing a good job. You will have peace of mind knowing that all the important bits are new and solid. You will also get the reliability you desire and confidence to take your Clubby anywhere without the worry of what's next to break.

[Vinay-RS]

Well, a positive outlook would be that you learning lots :-)

Keep up with the good work, it will be worth it in the end!

Keep at it Vinay, you are doing a good job. You will have peace of mind knowing that all the important bits are new and solid. You will also get the reliability you desire and confidence to take your Clubby anywhere without the worry of what's next to break.

Thanks, guys. Yeah, that's the plan. Once all these components are fixed/replaced, hopefully, the car will be sorted and ready for a proper cross-country road trip. At least I don't have to worry about where the car is stored as it is safe at Andrew's workshop.

[DomMINIque]

You getting there dude.
All in due course.

[Vinay-RS]

Master cylinder was fine. Turns out it was the valve in front of it that had failed. We swapped it out for another one, started bleeding the system and fluid starts pouring out of the caliper piston. Turns out I pinched the seal and tore it when fitting the piston. Yay... now it's another week without a driving car (and it's generally forecast as downpours for the next week), and I'm not too sure where to get replacement seals locally. It is always something with this car.

[Vinay-RS]

He lives again!!!!!! Yay

[jimmyjamjar]

Congrats holding thumbs no more hickups! BTW there is a place in Gunners Circle, Epping, that has seals and kits for just about everything. Can't remember the name but I've got the receipt somewhere if you need to know