k-huevo
09-10-2005, 11:30 PM
I know most of you have latter model MINIs and have not had the pleasure of wearing stuff out or having to have dealt with early model teething issues. My MCS is a Dec. 02 build and has given me many eventful repair filled days.
My vibration damper/harmonic balancer has been clattering for months. Today I replaced it with a new one and discovered a few changes in the part from the early models. Construction of the new crank pulley is tighter and lighter. The thickness is narrower and the weight has dropped 1 lb. 6 oz. to the current 5 lb. 13 oz.
The swap turned out to be a minor ordeal. Some of the installation & removal tools for the older model damper will not work with the new one. This left me in a pickle with the part removed and only hand tools available. Because the older model pulley holder would not fit the new pulley I had to try all kinds of stupid ways to keep the crank from rotating and not lose my timing mark. In the end, a modified heavy shelf brace became the stop bracket. To make matters worse, the bearing on the installation tool that helps reduce friction when cranking down the pulley, froze, causing a lot of extra effort in getting the job done.
The damper change was successful, no more rattling chain noises from the passenger front wheel well.
My vibration damper/harmonic balancer has been clattering for months. Today I replaced it with a new one and discovered a few changes in the part from the early models. Construction of the new crank pulley is tighter and lighter. The thickness is narrower and the weight has dropped 1 lb. 6 oz. to the current 5 lb. 13 oz.
The swap turned out to be a minor ordeal. Some of the installation & removal tools for the older model damper will not work with the new one. This left me in a pickle with the part removed and only hand tools available. Because the older model pulley holder would not fit the new pulley I had to try all kinds of stupid ways to keep the crank from rotating and not lose my timing mark. In the end, a modified heavy shelf brace became the stop bracket. To make matters worse, the bearing on the installation tool that helps reduce friction when cranking down the pulley, froze, causing a lot of extra effort in getting the job done.
The damper change was successful, no more rattling chain noises from the passenger front wheel well.