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Mini’s in Worcester.

The Mini although an icon is not a very practical car for everyday use, the main problem being it needs too much maintenance to keep on the road.
Large quantities of salt spread on Britain’s main roads in the winter, makes keeping rust at bay on a Mini a never-ending task.
Although Minis are fairly reliable mechanically, there are a few things that could let you down.

Engine.

The Mini “A” series engine does not have too many failings but oil leaks can be a problem, sometimes this is due to a leaking timing cover. Gaskets and oil seals are easily obtainable, but need to be expertly fitted.
Oil leaking from the single shaft gearchange can be a constant annoyance; it is also an awkward job to put right.
An oil leak from the clutch housing and a slipping clutch, means that the primary gear oil seal behind the clutch needs replacing, this job requires the use of a special clutch puller, and also tools to remove and replace seal.
The clutch unit should be replaced at the same time.
Engine mountings become soggy after a period of use. If you want to test your mechanical ability have a go at replacing these, (you may find a piece of wire may assist in locating the bolts.)
Head gaskets have been known to fail, this is a straightforward task to replace, at same time cylinder head may need machining to make a perfectly flat surface.
The radiator and hoses are awkwardly placed especially the bottom hose; replacing this could be another trial for your dexterity. The bypass hose is small but hard to fit.

Running gear.

The brakes on Minis are small diameter drums; problems with these are leaking wheel cylinders, seized up handbrake linkages. And rusty brake pipes.
Always replace wheel and master cylinders with new parts; (never replace seals this is seldom effective.)
Brake hoses also require renewing occasionally.
Wheel bearings frequently wear out, a worn wheel bearing can be detected by driving and listening for characteristic drone.
Front bearing replacement entails removing part of suspension, not a job for the amateur. Rears are easily fitted.
Drive shafts can fail through perished boots, these boots cover the CV. Joints, holding grease around the joint, any deterioration in these rubber covers, allows the expensive joints to fail.
Front suspension ball joint can have shims taken out to compensate for wear; (If you have neglected to use the grease gun new joints may be the only answer.)
Minis have a total of eight grease points, four on ball joints, one on each; you will also find two, (one on each side.) on upper suspension arm bearings. And one for each spindle in radius arms.
Every three months go round with the grease gun, this will save money.

Bodywork.

The biggest and most expensive problem on Minis is the Bodywork; most panels are still available but all need to be welded.
The most usual places for rust is outer sills, inner sills, door sills, floor pans, “A” panels, front wings, front panels, bottom of doors, rear valance,
The rear sub-frame will require replacing, when corrosion weakens.
Replacing a rear sub-frame can be expensive even if you do the work yourself.
It involves removing what is left of the old frame from the car, (sometimes with great difficulty.) and stripping off radius arms brake pipes, hoses, reducer valve and mounts to be used on the new sub-frame.
After removing frame from car check for rust at sub-frame mounting panel, it will probably need a replacement panel welding in.
Radius arms may need new bearings and bushes fitted, this is a job best left to a person with the correct equipment, (unless you are a skilled engineer do not attempt.)
New rear suspension knuckles, brake pipes, brake hoses, and exhaust mountings should be fitted at the same time.
Reassemble the new parts on to sub-frame and fit back to the car as a unit.

Express Factors can supply any part for any car, Tel. 01905 616611

A Mini Engine and Gearbox unit can weigh five CWT.

Underside of Mini Cooper in a Worcester garage.

Note the hydrolastic suspension pipes and petrol pump near exhaust.

Dixons Mini Mishap.

We had to collect a mini engine and gearbox unit from spetchley road, Worcester. As this was a home job we went in my Hillman Minx Estate car. We put the unit in the rear compartment and shut the back door. When travelling down London Road we drove over a pothole, at this point the engine toppled over against the rear screen pushing it out onto the road, and it landed in one piece. We stopped picked up the glass and carried on our way.
TDS.