[FEDesignLtd]

Just for a bit of fun I ordered some use side repeater trim parts for peanuts off eBay, and with some primer and satin black experimented with de-chroming them a little.

got some smoked lenses coming so may fit them for a while with the de-chromed belt line to see what I think.

In other news, I had a falling out this morning on who would do the driving to nursery

 

[Maccmike]

Love seeing young children playing driving. Future petrol head there.

 

[PhysicsGuy]

Really nice Mini, great colour, too!

 

[FEDesignLtd]

Managed to blag a few minutes car-washing on the mini over the weekend.

Run-flats mask a low pressure tyre way more than I’d imagined, as rear left was practically flat.

fitted the less-chrome side grills:

Also finished the belt line de-chrome.

Replaced a water-filled rear lamp too.

Hopefully someone will tell me that a steamy radiator on a cold damp morning after a car-wash is pretty normal? Was steaming when I parked, didnt

 

[Maccmike]

Ive had several cars steam after a car wash including the mini and it was never a problem or fault.

 

[pipsyp]

Probably water evaporating off the intercooler if the car was warm

 

[FEDesignLtd]

The car has been for its first visit to 1320Mini. Really nice experience. Car has been given a clean bill of health (pretty much). Great price too I thought, for a full Inspection 2service, and fit a PAS pump, so I’d certainly recommend them.

Nice on their part to make their loan cars a little bit special.

Their little red beastie felt so much quicker than mine! Will be booking in for some tweaks in the new year.

 

[pipsyp]

Such a nice example this, looking forward to seeing it progress 👍

 

[FEDesignLtd]

Bugger. Have had our first semi-breakdown.
Wife was driving on motorway, and PAS stopped working. Was a sudden complete failure, but just heavy steering as a result.

Pump is only a week old, so hope to find a connector has fallen out, or a fuse blown.

 

[Astroboy]

If you've got the facilities available to safely get under the car it'll be worth having a rake about for a popped connector. The main fuse for the pump is 100amp (huuuuge) and I've never heard of one going pop

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

 

[FEDesignLtd]

If you've got the facilities available to safely get under the car it'll be worth having a rake about for a popped connector. The main fuse for the pump is 100amp (huuuuge) and I've never heard of one going pop

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Thanks for the tips. Fuse was intact, connectors not corroded and all plugged in.... was getting power....

seems like bad luck, and a duff pump. New one on, and back on the road.

 

[Astroboy]

Excellent stuff. A duffer is a pain but happens. Glad you got sorted

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

 

[FEDesignLtd]

Through a couple of slow punctures, I ended up with two new tires on the LHS of the car. Found time today to put both new ones across the front axle.

I bloody hate jacking up the other side once one is supported by axle stands.

Good news generally, looks brand new underneath really. Whichever MOT tester felt the need to record trailing arm corrosion was being a bit harsh I think. Dampers springs and rear silencer look practically new.

Before:

After:

Wheels are heavily corroded, but not sure whether I prefer this style or R90s, or something else, so will be fine for now.

newly balanced wheels on front axle cured a faint steering wheel wobble, and largely cured the steering pull under load which is a bonus (unlikely, but perhaps unbalanced tyre load ratings were contributing?)

Resisted the urge to detail!

 

[Maccmike]

Only a bit of surface rust that

 

[Fro-dizzle]

Great job on the cleaning, did you use anything in particular or mainly elbow grease? Want to attack my rear arches whilst it’s currently in the air.

Definitely harsh to put an advisory on those arms.

R90’s are nice and not a wheel that you see too often. Quite like R98’s also.

 

[FEDesignLtd]

For cleaning in the arches I use a product called G101, an all purpose cleaner. Had run out of that though, so used an autofinesse equivalent called dynamite. Very effective.
Then to finish/beautify I covered the disc/pads so they didn’t get covered in slippery products, and sprayed autofinesse dressle everywhere (would usually use autoglym rubber and vinyl spray but ran out)

would have covered the metal arms in ACF50 corrosion inhibitor, but I’m never sure about applying that to a wet surface, so will leave that till warmer months, and maybe slap some hammerite or something on the surface rust too.

Used the APC on the wheels too, along with an iron fallout remover. I find them all much of a muchness, and in this instance it was autoglym magma which I had in stock.

 

[Fro-dizzle]

Thanks, I’ve got a few equivalents I can use, will give it a go.