Caesar the 1275 E - Diary of minor changes

[Vinay-RS]

Decided to spend yesterday afternoon to evening working on the front suspension of the Mini (or at least trying to).

The recent issues have been:

1) Squeaking suspension when driving (much like before the replacement of the bushes).
2) Scratching sound when turning right.

For once I actually have a decent toolbox with metric/imperial spanners and sockets and I decided to work in the tunnel at work since no one was around to tell me not to work there

I used a grease gun and greased all the grease points, front and back, removed the tie rods and greased the two front bushes on either side. I think I should have taken it all apart and greased everything, but I was worried that I wouldn't know how to put it all back together again. Also, I might have used the wrong grease. I think I need to use a metal-based grease for poly bushes, like CV joint grease. Rather than wheel bearing or rubber grease. Anyway, it didn't work, the squeaking is still there.

Then I tried to remove the right side drive flange, but it wouldn't budge. No amount of prying or levering would get it loose. I wanted to remove it to put some grease on the bearings, in case they were the cause of the scratching. Turns out the real reason might be that the castle nut was loose (I know, scary...). Anyway, tightened it up and the scratching sound seems to have reduced (for now).

I think I will leave it for now and get onto building the brake assemblies. Then perhaps when fitting the new brakes I can regrease everything.

I wonder if I can get a one person brake bleeding kit in SA?