1975_mini

I went with VIP for the sway bar.

So I ordered brandy a 23mm adjustable rear sway bar a while back and did not get a chance to install it. So since I am home alone I decided today was the day. I decided to do it in the driveway since the weather was nice and I have all the tools or so I thought. I pull out my floor jack and jack stands to get the rear end in the air. This is when I found out the countryman does not have to rubber jack point but instead the crappy reinforced pinch weld points. Guest I need to order an adapter block for my jack. No sweet I can find some solid point to get it in the air and on stands. I a climb under to decide where to use, this is an advantage of the countryman, not sliding under a clubman or hardtop when it's on the ground. So I glance at the subframe bolts I will need to undo it get the sway bar in and out. What is staring back at me but an echo head bolt, when the hell did that change. Damn you MINI. For those of you unfamiliar with an echo bolt think torx but reversed ( I included a picture). I definitely don't own those sockets, but they are on my birthday/Xmas list now. Luckily I live on base so it is off the the the auto hobby shop to see how the other half live. There were lifts, air tools, and heated garage space!! I now understand how first class must feel. So I rent a lift, with snapon toolbox full of goodies. 6 hours an hour. The mechanic there to help, told me several time why don't you raise to lift higher as they found me sitting on the floor with my head in a wheel well. I told them it was how I am used to working, they gave up on me at that point, and I tooled away. Air tools definitely make life easier. I had to do the sway bar links by hand, and I have no idea why the Allen key you need to hold the bolt is standard when everything else is metric. The air racket made short work of the shock. Had to do the sway bar links by hand do to clearance, the front even had to be done by box wrench that took some time. Then it was time for the subframe bolts They took some planning to get an angle on them, but not to bad. As brandy has an all4 there is a bit more to work around back there. Also people people said you didn't need to support the subframe as the diff has rear mounts. I placed a trans jack under and it allowed better control as I work the sway bar out. I was able to remove the old 17mm bar with little effort. I include a picture of the old and new I replaced the OEM with a 23 mm with 3 adjustments. Only a little pleading and one POS and the new one was in. I set it to the middle setting for now. Everything went back together in reverse with easy. The only causality was my thumb nail, I was not paying attention and pinched my thumb retween the control arm and the air rachet. I included a picture of the result going to be loading the nail in about a week. The project took about 2:30 hours, and that was with me taking my time. I texted brandy to tell her it was done, and told her about the thumb incident. She ask how did it feel. I said it hurt but not bad. She responded with, I meant how does the new sway bar feel in the MINI. We see where her priorities lie.

I will be there, and fashionablely early as Nila has an oil change at 0900

That's a great deal, I used the anthracite grey on Brandy's countryman for the head/tail light bezels, mirrors, and roof. If anyone has the grey scuttles on there countryman this is a spot on match to carry it to other parts of your MINI. I would snatch it up, but I have a small stockpile of PD(bordering on hoarding). Also that spray trigger come in handy. I am sure there are a few members willing to share there PD skills and techniques if someone is looking to give it a try.

You have to dropping the subframe to get to it, not going to be cheap. It's a good amount of work to replace. My favorite is the oil filter housing gasket on an N14, part cost like 5 bucks, but it's a thousand dollars in labor to replace it.

I would recommend a stabilizer going 45 degrees from the middle of the wing down to the door to help support. If you try to attach and hold the wing parallel to the door with out a support while driving it will be difficult. Look through the Halloween custom thread the are a few good examples of wings. I remember someone doing a JetBlue costume a few years ago

Please make sure that everyone know that candy can not be thrown from vehicles, that is a huge point of safety they pass.:top:

The leak tends to form at the vacuum line on the back left of the cover if you are standing in front of the car. (As know to some a the seafoam induction hose) Look and see if that seems to be the source, there is a seem from the molding process that can form a leak at that connection. So if that is the source replace the cover if not there it is likely just the gasket.

very easy, as long as the know lefty loosey, righty tighty and spiral pattern out from the middle when tightening back on you are good to go.:top: Helpful hint: make sure to let the engine completely cool down if you like your finger prints.

I have use regular old tooth paste it works for light oxidation, toothpaste is just a mild abrasive compound like any product to you would buy for the headlights. I takes some elbow grease. If they are cloudy, you are better going with a wet sanding with find sand paper. Start at 1000 and work up to 2500, then seal them. Just my opinion

You could easily create the lip of the wagon by slaloming open a few pool noodles, plastidip red, then slide over the lip to create the rolled edge. Another pool noodle plastidip per black could create a handle on the front. Cut out the graphic out of paper or vinyl, maybe reach out to Laura (green cactus) she will cut them at a good price. If you do vinyl your MINI can be a little red wagon all season long not just the parade. :top:

Yeap, then we pulled over and chatted for a few minutes.

While driving home from the Jimmy Buffett concert here in Oki I looked up to have this beauty in my rear view

Today was install vinyl stripes, blacked out grille trim, and install quad light bar with hella black magic 500s. Sway bar and some more PD to follow if it can stop raining

Deleted countryman badging

If anyone wants an extra set of eyes to check it out I will be in town the end of September. I read the ad and can provide some questions and checks I would recommend if someone is checking it out before then. Just shoot me a message.

Nice video, I like how the spoiler lets you know when Craig is speeding. Lol

The R53's are old enough now that they were popping up in the pick'a'part lots. There is one right next to quantico and in Fredericksburg. Maybe someone else know some up north, but always a good place to look.

I agree have your local MINI dealer pull any service records for you. I know there are a few class actions on the N14 out there, I believe the time chain tensioner is not settled yet. there is one for the HPFP that is settled, to reimburse cost. ***Warning personal opinion*** Seafoam or any cleaner are good preventative maintenance, but if the build up is already there manual removal (i.e. walnut blasting or some other form) is the only way to truly remove the buildup. I run seafoam twice a year, but I also had to do the walnut blast at like 80k, but I bought it around the same mileage as you did 45k. It just depends who while the previous owner maintained it (ask dealer to pull ALL service records). Now a myth about seafoam the white smoke is NOT carbon buildup burning off!!! It is a petroleum based product, that when burned produces white smoke, that white smoke coming out of the beater in front of you isn't burning carbon deposits. Its just burning oil. Hope this helps and feel free to ignore the small soap box.:ridinghorse:

Looks good Dan, that rack probably creates the same down-force as Nick's wing.:rofl:

#GoingAlltheWaylikeMelissa :rofl:

PMoA always has trivia and good giveaways. Make sure you brush up on the upcoming MINI releases.

I just created a photobucket account and attached the image link, so that I am not loading the file up to the page. not sure if that would work for you.

You have you plan to hit it early on a Sunday or Saturday, like 9ish

Welcome, Dumfries, have you found Joplin Rd yet? there are some great twisties headed towards Manassas:top:.