Irish Mini Owners Club

Hey, Anybody know What's the best way to clean rust and gunk out of the inside of a petrol tank ?

Secondly the lower bush on my steering column must be gone cause the column is very loose down at the pinch bolt just not sure how I get the new one on can anybody tell me how it's done ??
Any help is appreciated

Andy

Hi Nutterboy

If your column is loose AT the pinch bolt you may have a problem as this is usually followed by the steering wheel not turning the wheels, you'll really need to get the splines checked out for any damage.... The bolt size for replacing it is 1/4 unf x 1 1/4". If the play is at the bottom of the outer column then there is either a felt bush or a plastic one depending on the age of your car... both are readily available and straight forward to change....

Definitely get your splines checked, nothing worse than hurtling into a corner and your pride and joy gets a mind of its own...!

Hi Ian thanks for the reply yea ha ha I wouldn't want my steering putting me in a ditch but it's defo the lower plastic bushing on the outer column sorry I just said it was in the pinch bolt area, the splines are ok on the pinion shaft I checked them just to be sure. Yea so does the bushing just slip on over the end of the inner column and then inside the end of the outer column is that right? And should I put grease on it ? Thanks again

lol... that's not so bad, I was getting a tad worried about you there....

The lower bush is straight forward enough to fit, but unfortunately it is fitted via the top of the inner column.. hence to replace it you'll need to remove the entire column from the car, remove the steering wheel and withdraw the inner shaft....

A drop of grease wouldn't do any harm, but if you have or can get any white grease would be the best for the job (usually obtained in spray form, great for stiff window rubbers too....)

Appreciate the help Ian I know what I've got to do now, oh and I got those braided hoses I ordered from you very good quality set compared to the kits I've gotten before thanks again

My own method of cleaning out a petrol tank is empty it, wash it out (gets rid of all the petrol) let it dry and fill with all the loose bolts, screws and nails I have. Suspend it from something with a bungee cord and shake it for as long as I can. It's amazing the amount of rust and old paint that comes out. There is probably a better way, but this works for me.

des wrote:My own method of cleaning out a petrol tank is empty it, wash it out (gets rid of all the petrol) let it dry and fill with all the loose bolts, screws and nails I have. Suspend it from something with a bungee cord and shake it for as long as I can. It's amazing the amount of rust and old paint that comes out. There is probably a better way, but this works for me.

and use a fuel filter under the tank, before the pump on the block

Frost do a product for re-finishing the inside of your old petrol tank.

That stuff Frost do is very good, we use it here to refurb the tanks. biggest problem is that it is quite expensive and there is enough to do three mini tanks, also once the tin is opened it really needs to be used as it will go off once opened to the air...

I do like the one with nuts and bolts and the bungee cord, sounds like fun... lol

Ooh, and yes a filter before the pump is always a good move....

Thanks for all the advice lads yea that bungee tank idea sounds good I'll give that a go and I'll pick up a fuel filter somewhere, cheers