Laura: I have something that matches your description. I will bring it tomorrow morning; however, I will be there promptly at 9:00 and leave as soon as I finish using the spring compressor, as I have other commitments that morning. If I don't see you I'll leave it with someone.
I assembled my rear struts today and came to realize that the '16 mm strut nut socket' is not necessary, which probably explains why nobody makes one! The front requires one because of the deep recess in the mount, but the rear is not recessed and so a simple box wrench (plus Allen wrench) is sufficient.
Slight correction to my earlier post: I need a 16 mm strut nut socket, not 17. I have a 21 mm for the front on order, but no one stocks the 16 for the rear. How do people disassemble and reassemble the rear struts? Will an offset box wrench work? TIA.
I will probably be there but will NOT need a lift. I am assembling a complete duplicate suspension and have all the parts; however, my spring compressor does not work with the MINI front springs; will someone have (or can you bring) one that does? And, I also need the use of the special sockets (17 and 21 mm) with slotted side that permits an Allen wrench to hold the strut shaft while torquing the top nut. TIA.
I stopped in Liberty just recently and spoke with the owner (Jim?) He said that he still welcomes work on MINIs, and that one of his mechanics was trained at Sterling.
I will be in Nelson County next weekend and can get something from Blue Mountain, Devils Backbone, Wild Wolf, and/or Hard Rock Cider. If anyone has any suggestions or requests let me know.