Bought myself a 65 Deluxe on the weekend...

Dream Blue, White Roof, 1100S, Twin tanks and Cooper (7") disks...

Needs a few things done but seemed to be in pretty reasonable condition....

Heading down for a rego check for change of ownership and get list of jobs for the weekend...

About 150m from the tyre place to get the check done when the right lower ball joint breaks off !!

I veer into the right lane and come to an undignified halt 20m up the road near the concrete median strip.... (Lucky I had an empty right lane ...could've been a head on on a single lane road ! )

This is outside the BMW MINI dealership.... and they come running out to see what the squealing was (caused by my collapsed right front wheel being dragged down the road)

Once they determined I was OK - went off and got a mechanic ( a classic mini owner ) who brought out a trolley jack and helped get me out the middle of the road ( the way Canberra drivers are - you don't want to leave them a target ! )

And was then offered mechanical assistance at their lunchtime if required....

Long story short... managed to screw the ball joint back onto the broken threads enough to get the car onto a trailer and home.

Managed to decline the offer to buy a new MINI...

But a big thumbs up to Shaun and Scotty for their swift help and good humour in my time of adversity !!

Ken.

Thats a great story - good to hear there are people still willing to help a stranger out in a time of need.

Mini people are great people. What a heart warming story.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

Wow, glad to hear you're ok.

Is this the BMW dealership in Phillip?

Also, what do you do in a situation like that? Considering the Mini lacks hazard lights and all.

I've never had a breakdown in a Mini, so i'm oblivious as to the procedure necessary to warn any oncoming traffic.

Yep - out at Phillip....

Luckily most drivers saw and stayed in or changed lanes without drama.... otherwise was stand on the median strip behind the car and wave at them.....

.... and while Scotty was lying on the road in front of the car trying to work out how to get the trolley jack under the extra low mini without causing damage - stood in the road behind the car...

Ken.

Top story, and reflects all of my experiences with MINI dealers and their attitude to minis to date.

Glad to hear nothing serious occurred.

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One should never skimp on the zip ties.

Crazily wave hands in the air, and point and blame the car. I've been there, but no so bad as above. For me it's mostly been stalled in traffic and starter not working properly and ignition wet and not firing properly (all fixed now).

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1964 Morris 850, 1330 Supercharged - 81.8hp atws.
1975 Leyland Mini S 1100S powered - Nice and reliable.
1977 Leyland Mini LS - Project LS-T

how worn does a ball joint need to be to 'break off' ??
sounds bloody dangerous

Did they offer you a trade?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Looks like the thread part on the hub is what actually broke .....
the ball joint was still OK and lock tab in place ...

Whether age or has taken a hit in the past don't know....

Will have a closer look on the weekend and see if damage looks new or been there for awhile....

And yes... definitely dangerous !!!

Had been planning on upgrading to 7.5" discs anyhow.... may have to hit the piggy bank earlier and get a full new kit ... after that episode a full overhall and inspection is scheduled!

We did discuss the idea of swapping with a blue/white roof one off the lot...
they might not notice....

Another lucky escape for Ken....so this would be Chris's daughters car

It has a centre console .... made by another ACTMCC member when he owned it.

No wonder you are looking for more sheds

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"Show me the Mini!"

Yep...


Has wooden dash with "glove boxes" and central speedo but most gauges are below the heater or dash (tacho)....so not handy to read... will be re-arranging these. But yep looks to have had a lot of "good things" done to it in the past .


Yep.. had to evict the spare clubby shell from the garage (and may have to find it a new home) to fit the 850 and will have to re-arrange things to get this one in as well... so might have to get a garden shed for storing spares doors etc...

People are work suggest I should call them Monday thru Sunday....

good to hear the MINI dealership share the passion of a true motoring enthusiast.

sounds like such a beautiful story i had to pull out the kleenex.

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Sunday Morning Mini Sprint http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtGuzqBQ32Q my "rendezvous"