[The Black Pearl]

Got the product but I have no idea how to fit it, I have looked through the site and can't find any ideas.
Do I use the same bolts that are on the towers already ?
What do i tighten the bolts to?

Any ideas ?

[humph]

Are we talking top brace here? If you have a copy see last months modern MINI magazine (think it was last month's). If you don't however I'm sure someone here will be able to help you out.

[The Black Pearl]

its the top strut and I did not manage to get my hands on the mag as I was away :-(

[humph]

If no one else can help you on here pm me. Won't be able to do anything until Sunday though, possible plan. Or you could try and get hold of a back issue.

[The Black Pearl]

Thanks I will do, I have a few other probs to sort out first with Mill BMW at Boldon LOL

[:: Jon ::]

undo the 3 top nuts on each side of the strut towers in the engine bay, place strut bar on top adjust it to correct size and tighten nuts back onto of strut to the tower

[The Black Pearl]

Thanks for the help will get that done as soon as the pirates who love to steal my money give me my car back

[Richard Crofts]

undo the 3 nuts on the strut top. Loosly put all the nuts (x2 i think) onto the silver threaded section. Screw the threaded section into the red sections. Loosly place over all the bolts and get into place and correct legnth then wind the nuts on the silver threaded section out until they touch the red sections, dont tighten except finger tight (x1 touching each red section). Get it all snug and flush to the towers as much as possible and then wind the strut nuts back on a bit at a time nice and even until its all tight and to the correct torque. Finish by tweeking the nuts on the silver threaded section so that they are tight then thats that.

Sorry its vague and there might be a few more steps than that but its been a while since I took mine on and off and I can't quite rember.

The basics are to get it together, size it up and loosly fit and then just tweek everything up.

[The Black Pearl]

thanks, I am going to try and fit next week as I have a day off to work on the car I have a bit to do:
1. front aero bumper + JCW badge
2. any rattles that MINI will not fix for me (crettins)
3. strut brace
4. brake pads (+ paint calipers)

[Richard Crofts]

Thats...

1. 15 mins + 5mins
2. Hours and hours
3. 20 mins at most
4. 2 hours, longer if you don't have a rear caliper unwinding tool

[The Black Pearl]

That fills me with joy might have to make it a 2-3 day assault on the jobs

[Richard Crofts]

You want to put just a fraction of outward pressure on the strut towers to keep them from flexing in...but only a fraction mind. You do this by winding on the nuts of the bcentre of the brace...a turn or so on each end once its set to the right legnth will be enough...don't over do it, but also not too loose you need it to keep pressure on the towers.

[The Black Pearl]

Thanks, I reacon I am ready to give it a bash........ still no word from MINI when I am getting the old girl back

[Richard Crofts]

the brakes are only that long if your not mechanically minded. The tool thing is a must though for the rears as its a PITA otherwise. Pads on the front take 15 mins each if you vaguely know what your doing and the rears not much more....but if not knowing what what then its more like good 30 mins each and painting will take a while so 2 hours in all I guess (we did my JCW calipers off and on in 2 hours easy, which will take about as long as removing the caliper and painting it I guess)

[The Black Pearl]

Thats great, I am expecting help from my dad on the brakes and calipers like, I am going to give them a good brush down and then a couple of coats.......... I am not stingy I just like the idea of red brake calipers without paying for JCW..... They are what I would want if I had an S though