MINI2

chrisflyer · Sep 3rd, 2007, 12:43 AM

Hi,

I took my car in for its first service and was told that they had needed to remove the jcw strut brace to carry out the service.
Is this correct ?
If it is, I will have to go back and check they did not re-use the same nuts as the car was done under TLC and no service sheet was issued.

your advise would be welcome.

Chris.

minicabrio · Sep 3rd, 2007, 09:01 AM

Hi Chris,

They'll have to remove the JCW Strut brace to access the oil filter located at the rear of the engine block.

Now, there are two ways of removing the strut brace. The three-piece design allows the middle section to be unbolted (one bolt) and moved leaving the ends still bolted to your suspension turrets. If however they unbolted the brace from the turrets and then re-used your nuts, I'm afraid they're a ticking time bomb!

My nuts have been on my car for approx 18 months with no problems whatsoever. They were tensioned correctly, and the brace always made the car feel fantastic. Then I had the car serviced (under TLC) in July, but since then it's never felt quite right.

I booked the car in last week with Roland at GT Tuning, for his brace, and the two lower ones also. I was shocked when he removed the nut below from my vehicle.

Richard Crofts · Sep 3rd, 2007, 09:37 AM

Wont the stock nuts (ordered through BMW @ about £3) do the job ... Not sure why JCW ones where changed to one use

chrisflyer · Sep 3rd, 2007, 09:56 AM

Hi,

Thanks for all your help. It looks like I will have to go to my main dealer and ask the question.
I also am considering having some work done by GTT, so I posted a question for Roland on the matter of removing and replacing the strut brace with regard these nuts, but as yet no reply.

minicabrio · Sep 3rd, 2007, 10:05 AM

I'll take a picture for you at lunchtime of the nuts Roland used on mine with the GTT Brace

They're much more substantial stainless items

Rigsey · Sep 3rd, 2007, 10:54 AM

Is there no way of accessing the oil filter from below?

My MCS (with GTT Strut Brace) is in on Saturday for a service so I may need to remove before hand...

minicabrio · Sep 3rd, 2007, 10:58 AM

The brace will need to be removed to access the filter, however, at least there is no issue with Rolands nuts (so to speak)

You can remove/refit without having any concerns.

Rigsey · Sep 3rd, 2007, 11:26 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

The brace will need to be removed to access the filter, however, at least there is no issue with Rolands nuts (so to speak)

You can remove/refit without having any concerns.

Cheers for the reply I'll whip my nuts (and Strut brace) off on Friday night

Its a bit worrying that you know so much about Roland's nuts

Sep 3rd, 2007, 12:43 AM	#1
chrisflyer MINI2 Regular Join Date: Aug 2006 Local Time: 03:06 PM Posts: 162 Offline	Strut Brace Hi, I took my car in for its first service and was told that they had needed to remove the jcw strut brace to carry out the service. Is this correct ? If it is, I will have to go back and check they did not re-use the same nuts as the car was done under TLC and no service sheet was issued. your advise would be welcome. Chris.

Sep 3rd, 2007, 09:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
minicabrio Back in a MINI Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hampshire Local Time: 03:06 PM Posts: 15,028 Offline	Hi Chris, They'll have to remove the JCW Strut brace to access the oil filter located at the rear of the engine block. Now, there are two ways of removing the strut brace. The three-piece design allows the middle section to be unbolted (one bolt) and moved leaving the ends still bolted to your suspension turrets. If however they unbolted the brace from the turrets and then re-used your nuts, I'm afraid they're a ticking time bomb! My nuts have been on my car for approx 18 months with no problems whatsoever. They were tensioned correctly, and the brace always made the car feel fantastic. Then I had the car serviced (under TLC) in July, but since then it's never felt quite right. I booked the car in last week with Roland at GT Tuning, for his brace, and the two lower ones also. I was shocked when he removed the nut below from my vehicle. Attached Thumbnails

Sep 3rd, 2007, 09:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
chrisflyer MINI2 Regular Join Date: Aug 2006 Local Time: 03:06 PM Posts: 162 Offline	strut brace Hi, Thanks for all your help. It looks like I will have to go to my main dealer and ask the question. I also am considering having some work done by GTT, so I posted a question for Roland on the matter of removing and replacing the strut brace with regard these nuts, but as yet no reply.

Sep 3rd, 2007, 10:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rigsey MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kent Local Time: 03:06 PM Posts: 515 Online	Is there no way of accessing the oil filter from below? My MCS (with GTT Strut Brace) is in on Saturday for a service so I may need to remove before hand... GTT, GRS, Janspeed, JCW, OMP + various other bits - 232.6bhp, 191.2lbft on 1320's rolling road

Sep 3rd, 2007, 11:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
Rigsey MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kent Local Time: 03:06 PM Posts: 515 Online	Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original) The brace will need to be removed to access the filter, however, at least there is no issue with Rolands nuts (so to speak) You can remove/refit without having any concerns. Cheers for the reply I'll whip my nuts (and Strut brace) off on Friday night Its a bit worrying that you know so much about Roland's nuts GTT, GRS, Janspeed, JCW, OMP + various other bits - 232.6bhp, 191.2lbft on 1320's rolling road

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Sep 3rd, 2007, 09:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
Richard Crofts THE STICK Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Worcestershire WR15 Local Time: 03:06 PM Posts: 3,001 Offline	Wont the stock nuts (ordered through BMW @ about £3) do the job ... Not sure why JCW ones where changed to one use

Sep 3rd, 2007, 10:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
minicabrio Back in a MINI Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hampshire Local Time: 03:06 PM Posts: 15,028 Offline	I'll take a picture for you at lunchtime of the nuts Roland used on mine with the GTT Brace They're much more substantial stainless items

Sep 3rd, 2007, 10:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
minicabrio Back in a MINI Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hampshire Local Time: 03:06 PM Posts: 15,028 Offline	The brace will need to be removed to access the filter, however, at least there is no issue with Rolands nuts (so to speak) You can remove/refit without having any concerns.

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