I had tried to loosen the nut without the penetrating fluid initially and wasn't having any luck. I felt like I was going to bend the breaker bar. I was actually moving the car despite the fact that it was in gear and had the hand brake on! However, after I sprayed the PB Blaster, I was able to break the nut free with a pretty reasonable amount of force. Success! Maybe I will actually remove the discs tomorrow.
I literally cracked off the hub nut this evening. It's unfortunate that it was so late because I didn't have time to do anything else. With the right tools, it became a lot easier. I used a breaker bar that I bought for $10 at Harbor Freight and a bit of PB Blaster penetrating spray. I had read online that penetrating fluid wasn't going to help, but I'm convinced this stuff made the job 100x easier.
I had tried to loosen the nut without the penetrating fluid initially and wasn't having any luck. I felt like I was going to bend the breaker bar. I was actually moving the car despite the fact that it was in gear and had the hand brake on! However, after I sprayed the PB Blaster, I was able to break the nut free with a pretty reasonable amount of force. Success! Maybe I will actually remove the discs tomorrow.
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Well after a whole day "working" on the Mini, I didn't get very far. Top tip to anyone that wants to change their brake discs, you need a 34mm or 1-5/16" socket to get the hub nut off and A LOT of force. I spent the first half of the day trying to find the socket between Sears, Pep Boys, Harbor Freight and finally Auto Zone. I spent the next hour wrestling the hub nut. I have read all the forums that say you need a lot of force but it does not budge. It seems that all I was able to do today was get the car in the air and decide to purchase a large breaker bar. The only upside today was that while I had the car in the air, I noticed a couple leaks that I'm going to have to sort out. Maybe that's not an upside at all...
Well I have been neglecting my Mini ever since the accident but now it's time to get back to work. I have finally saved my pennies and purchased the parts required to get the Mini moving again. I picked up a set off ball joints, new discs and pads and some lug nuts to, ahem, hold the wheels on. The weather is nice and the parts are here. Time to start work!
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