My New Car! But what is wrong with it?

[rainbox]

I just came back from Grantham with my new Four door saloon, I'm so excited

It was a long way though, and we did notice some issues that need attending to. I'm not sure what's wrong though! Maybe some of you technical bunch can point me in the right direction?

The first thing was a loud high pitched whining/humming noise. It seemed to get triggered when travelling over 40mph, although not in a consistent pattern. Once it had been triggered it carried on even when slowing down and using clutch and brake. We then discovered that it seemed to happen especially when freewheeling, or sometimes turning right.
On the last MOT it had an advisory saying "offside front wheel bearing has slight play". Could this be the reason? Will it need replacing? Is this a big deal?

The other thing is the brakes, although working were not very effective. I know the brake pad is wearing thin and will need replacing but it was feeling kinda spongy, like the power wasn't transmitted properly. Could this have something to do with the hydraulics, possibly a leak? How would I find out?

The last thing is the clutch. With the pedal fully depressed it would start to engage after about 30 seconds, obviously a bit awkward if you're waiting at a junction or something. Again maybe something to do with the hydraulics. It would also judder when engaging first or reverse gear, possibly it was slipping? When it did bite it was fine.

I'm already in love with my new car, I can definitely see what all the Moggie fuss is about! When it wasn't having issues it was such a lovely ride

Can't wait to sort it out, and learn some mechanics along the way!

[bmcecosse]

The whining etc - probably the final drive in the back axle - check (change!) the oil asap - EP 90. Brakes - obviously VERY important! No 'pads' - just shoes - unless someone has fitted disc brakes ? Obviously check the fluid level right away - and as soon as possible, get the drums off and inspect all 4 brakes. Leaks cannot be tolerated at all! A full brake overhaul doesn't much in parts and is easy to DIY and well worth doing. The clutch is not hydraulic - and in any case you MUST NOT sit with foot on the clutch pedal! There is a simple graphite bearing in the release and it wears away like mad - so NEVER sit with foot on clutch. It's clutch down, select gear - clutch up move off immediately. Check the wheel bearing when looking at the brakes - but in all my years with Minors I have never had to renew front bearings...but if you do - it's very straightforward - just be sure to buy quality bearings - not cheapo ones from Ch!na........ If you don't have a proper Workshop Manual (not silly Haynes...) PM me......

[lambrettalad]

wheel bearing can make that noise,jack it up and see how much the wheel moves when held on the top and bottom,if excessive i.e.more than hardly any,you might get away with packing it full of grease,you need a workshop manual ,lots on ebay,parts fairs etc.

do the brakes get better when you pump the pedal?,if so air in the system is the most likely.

do you have a hydraulic clutch fitted?

i'm sure you will get lots of ideas here good luck

[bmcecosse]

No need to 'buy' a workshop manual............

[lambrettalad]

I wonder when a workshop manual will be available on a kindle ?

[bmcecosse]

Surely if it's available as a PDF - can that not go on the kindle?

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Yes but you can't take the computer into the garage and thumb it with oily fingers, nor make annotations.

[bmcecosse]

The Q was about a kindle...... Otherwise - just print off the pages you NEED for each job and laminate them if you must..... Or - install a large screen in the garage and plug in to that!

[lambrettalad]

and where do you get the pdf?

[rainbox]

Right click and press 'save as'

[bmcecosse]

Simples....... !!

[LouiseM]

Just a reminder about the 'sticky' concerning copyright: http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=27524

[rainbox]

Oops. Anyone else who wants the link can PM me

[bmcecosse]

Or me - I wondered how long that link would last!!!
Strange that no other forum I know of (and I am on a few) worries about this - Workshop Manuals and all sorts of other literature is readily linked up on these forums. In any case - information like that is only a Google click away.......

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

To whom do the rights belong as BL/Austin-Rover ceased to exist a long time ago. The manual is still published but who has copyright?

[rainbox]

I had guy with experience look at my car today, and he seemed to think it was ace

Looks like we'll try and sort out the brakes and wheel bearing as soon as possible, not a huge job. He didn't seem to notice a problem with the clutch when he started the car and rolled it backwards and forwards a bit, maybe it's not so bad after all?
He did agree that the symptoms sounded like a hydraulic clutch with a leak though, although the manual says it's not hydraulic.
I don't know what else would cause the symptoms though. Did minors ever come with hydraulic clutch?

Another thing that confused me is the seller said it had a dynamo but turns out there's an alternator! You would have thought he'd known...

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

The Minor has a mechanical clutch and there was never any alternative. Who exactly was this 'guy with experience' - I hope you didn't allow him to do any tinkering...

[lambrettalad]

You can now buy a hydraulic kit for moggies now,I think it's for the later 1098cc

[MarkyB]

Post some pictures, particularly from under the bonnet and if you can, from under the car.
There is no telling what may have been fitted over the years!

[bmcecosse]

Indeed you can - but why would you.....??? Keep it simples !! And DO NOT sit with foot on clutch for any length of time. And yes - just what 'experience' did this chap have with Minors ??