Folks,

Firstly, hello - I'm brand new here, but not new to minis. I've had a restoration going for a number of years, and just got some new enthusiasm to finish it off. It's great to see so much interest here.

Now to the problem. I've just fitted the boot lid to my car, complete with new seal. I cannot get it to close. It's simply too tight. There's a few things I've thought of:
1. Leave in the sun to soften the rubber.
2. Lubricate the rubber so it slides across the body and into place.
3. Temporarily space the boot catch out with washers so the lid doesn't sit as tightly against the body (actually did this and got up to four washers thick, and still no good!).

Should it be this hard, or do I need a different seal?

I also think that the body mounted catch may be out of position slightly, but it's proving difficult to move, and isn't too far where I think it should be (I've checked on another car).

It'd be good to hear other's experience on this.

Thanks a lot.
Matt
Canberra

Hi matt

it is a very very very common problem. Mine was hard to close (not impossible) but it has improved greatly over time.

If you cannot get it to shut at all the spacers would be a good idea. Also a bit of soap might help you get it closed so it gets a chance to squish the rubber a bit.

I also found that I could push the rubber seal just a little further onto the lip than it should be. The strip will be affixed on a slight angle but would then be a little closer to the body thus giving you a little more clearance.

Buying a new seal should be your last resort.

theres heaps of things you could try first.


Good luck with it.

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PM sent.
Go the Mini Sport boot rubber, they fit.
I think Mini King has some good ones available now too.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I just installed a new rubber which I got from Minispares. It was a bit tough to close the first couple of times. But after a few closes it gets easier and easier. Just position one hand on the lock and the other really close to it and give it a quick (very) hard shove turning the lock at the same time.

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Andrew@Minisport, South Australia
Ph: 08-8177-1275
Skype: minisport.au

www.minisport.com.au
Minisport for all your mini parts

Thanks for the replies so far.
Andrew's photo post is very useful, and makes me think that I'll need to chuck out my current (new) seal. Bugger! I can't remember where it came from now, as I've had it a while.

Buyer beware I suppose.

Cheers
Matt

Here is mine - worse than the other inferior one shown in Andrew's photo.
No wonder it's not working!

Matt

yes the Minisport rubber is great. the others deform the boot or are impossible to close.

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1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

I would try This, before you throw it, I think it may do the Job

I wonder, which way did you fit the seal onto the clips? With the clips facing out and you pushing the seal down onto them? Or fit the clips so they face toward the bootlid?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

Thread resurrection - I'm asking this exact same question - which way do the clips and rubber seal get installed?

On a spare old boot lid I see that the clips open towards the lid and hence the rubber slot opens towards the car. A pic is included below. Is this the right way around? I want to confirm before I start.



(and FYI I do have the good soft Minisport one)
Cheers

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Build thread for Supercharged 1275 1967 Deluxe Resto
Build thread for Mini ute conversion 998cc Turbo

Dump the clips and use Contact or Sikaflex

I know that is an option, thanks. Can anyone tell me which way around they go?

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Build thread for Supercharged 1275 1967 Deluxe Resto
Build thread for Mini ute conversion 998cc Turbo

There a pain in the butt to get them clips on the rubber I just used double sided tape when I finished damaging most of me new clips

Its cheaper to buy a roll of tape than buy them clips anyway

The rubbers are hard to close at first but there ok after about 6 months

I bought all new clips (aftermarket) and found they didn't fit properly. I sent them back and used Kwikgrip contact cement.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.