Trip to Winona - Part 4

So, back to the car troubles... after finally replacing the tie rod (which took 14 guys, a borrowed car to drive to the mechanic's and tell him he wasn't needed - because we didn't have his phone number, just his address, and finally, someone with the right tools to replace it), it was now time to find a new drive flange... in order to make it home. Well, you'd think with mini enthusiasts overwhelming the town of Winona, someone, anyone would have the part that was needed. However, after much searching, no part was available, for borrow or purchase.
Thankfully, Roger from Thunder Bay came to the rescue. He called up a buddy he hadn't spoken with in 25 years to see if he still had Mini's and might have a spare part. Well, his buddy has just had hip surgery but, lo and behold, he had the part (still on the vehicle, but had it nonetheless). YEAH! Even better still, Roger volunteered to drive the 2 1/2 hours one way to pick up the part and hand deliver it. 2 electrical fires and some time later, Roger came to the rescue! The part was installed, quite quickly I might add, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief! We even made it to the banquet that evening between delivery and installation. The event wrapped up as we put Maggie back together in the hotel parking lot again. What an adventure! And the rest of the trip home was a breeze, thanks to some new friends! Just in case, we had an escort but thankfully, no further assistance was required... well, actually, there was some minor electrical work... but she's a British car... you know how that goes!

Update

Wow, summer hasn't really arrived weather-wise but I feel like things have gotten crazy busy, which is quite typical of summer in Manitoba. Somehow we try to cram so much stuff into so little time... Haven't even had time to update the blog with installment four of the Winona trip. We're off to the races tomorrow in Gimli... hope to see you there! Maybe next week will be slower... :)

Trip to Winona - Part 3

I'd like to say that Tuesday dawned bright and clear but alas, British weather it would be. Cloudy, not raining but cold, very cold. It would have helped if we had brought proper clothing, however, we assumed (I know, never assume...but we all do it!) that the weather down south would be warmer than what we left behind. Despite the chill, the mood was upbeat as Minis everywhere were being washed, polished, primped and preened for the big show. Today the competition was not just any old car, but real, true, British ingenuity, the classic Mini. Having cleaned Maggie up to the best of our abilities, we drove to the St. Mary's campus. Of course, what adventure wouldn't be complete without some...well, shall we say "issues"? It was pointed out that the driver's side front wheel was wobbling. Alas, we had no idea what can of worms was about to be unleashed. More on that later. The car show was an impressive sight to behold. MKIs, MKIIs, MKIIIs, Sedans, Pickups, Cooper S', Mini 1001s, Mokes, Cabriolets, Clubmans, even a Goose (to list a few). Mid afternoon we lined up for the panoramic photo, taken with a 1930's camera. Quite well executed and the results are impressive, today's cameras would be jealous.

At the Show & Shine, there were a few vendors set up. Thinking that the wobble may have been caused by bent tie rods, a good deal was found and new parts were purchased. Back at the host hotel, it was decided to jack it up and pull the driver's side wheel flange off. Upon dismantling the drive assembly, it was discovered that the problem was much bigger than first predicted. The drive flange is supposed to be smooth, cylindrical, not rough and oval-shaped, as ours was. Hoping and praying that maybe, just maybe, by tightening the bearings and replacing the tie rod, the problem would be manageable (at least until we drove 700 miles north, out of foreign territory), unfortunately, this was not to be. We soon started to wonder when and if we would ever make it home. (to be continued in part 4...)

Not to be defeated, later that evening, we headed to the park for the official Birthday Bash, complete with live music, cupcakes & caffeine. Unfortunately, someone must have ordered British weather again, still no heat. But all in all, problems aside, not that bad of a day. Little did we know what was yet to come...