[oldnell]

Hi

This may seem like lots of problems for one post, but they could all be related so I'll tell the whole story.

I have a January 2003 build Mini One with about 80000 miles on the clock. I changed all four of my tyres back in January and the old ones looked nice and evenly worn at the front (although I admit I didn't really check the back ones).

Meanwhile, my MOT came up with two advisory notes -- one that there was a 14% imbalance in the rear brakes and that the rear offside caliper was sticking.

When the car was in at the dealer's recently to check out the last two items, they also identified some unusual tyre wear.

The tyre measurements were:

O/S front: 5mm (outer edge 4mm)
N/S front: 5mm
O/S rear: 5mm (outer edge 4mm)
N/S rear 6mm (inner edge 4mm)

The dealer suggested I make use of their KDS facilities to resolve the problem.

Meanwhile, I've changed the wheels to some 15" R81 alloys I got through eBay (brand new tyres on brand new wheels). I know I should have resolved the issues first and then changed the wheels, but the new ones are shiny

I hadn't noticed any handling issues before and I don't know if it's paranoia or the fact that I'm paying closer attention, but up at around 70-90 mph, it always feels like it's windy, even if it isn't. That is, the car isn't as steady as I feel it should be. Nothing dangerous, but I don't think it feels quite right.

Meanwhile, back to the brakes, the dealer said that the rear caliper does bind slightly but it's nothing to worry about. The explanation for the imbalance in the rear brakes was that sometimes the machines they use to do the MOT testing aren't calibrated very well. Sounds like bull to me, and I'm not overly happy that they charged quite so much labour for doing very little -- but that's a separate issue.

I tested the braking a couple of days ago by going to 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mph and then doing an emergency stop several times.

At 30 and 40 it was fine. Once at 50 and once at 70, the car veered to the left under heavy braking. The other times it either fine or the ABS kicked in.

I'm not sure if this is a suspension, tracking or brakes issue. The pads and discs are good all round and there's no additional wear on the pad with the sticking caliper.

I phoned the place that normally does my tyres earlier, as they also do wheel alignment, but they said that for a Mini the tracking has to be done when fully laden and they didn't have the weights to do it.

I really want to have a good idea of what's up before I take it to the dealers and have them KDS it, replace half the suspension, insist on fitting new tyres and for it to handle exactly the same afterwards. I just don't trust my dealer to fix a minor problem without making a meal of it.

I'm sure this isn't relevant, but my power steering pump failed in May. I don't think they would have done anything to the alignment when replacing that.

(edit) I jacked the car up and checked for any play. The rear wheels are solid. The fronts move a little when held at 3 and 9 and I hear a click from the steering linkage when I move them. It's exactly the same both sides. Sorry, I'm not a mechanic, so I don't know what's normal. When I turn the steering wheel, there doesn't seem to be any slack -- the wheels move as soon as I turn the steering wheel.

Anyone have any ideas?

Oli

[oldnell]

A bit of a bump, and some more information.

When I changed the wheels, I changed from 15" steel wheels to the 15" R81 Imola (7 hole) alloy. I also changed from Michelin 165 15 R81T to Cont EcoContact 3 165 15 R81H tyres.

Could my perceived changes in handling be attributed just to different wheels and tyres? I would have thought my new tyre/wheel combi should be an improvement.

Just a thought.

Oli

[roland2003]

Hi Oli,,pm received. If you book it in we can check wheel alignment /bush wear/ ball joint wear etc. And have a look at the rear brakes.
Best Regards Roland GTT