I finally got some time today to get some mindless work done around the Mini.  I’ve had a rough couple of days.  Working on my car helps to take my mind off things for a while.

I put on the Hawk Ceramics brake pads I got a few days ago.  I ordered them from OutMotoring, they had both front and rears in stock.  I read over on NAM that you need a special tool to compress the rear caliper piston,  It’s true.

You need this and it’s currently on sale.  it was $49.99 and now sells fro $19.99.  Snap one up now, even if you don’t plan on doing a brake job for a while.

The install was cake, remove and replace.  Having done quite a few brake jobs in my life, a VW bug with drums, countless Jeeps with disks and drums, this was by far the easiest.  I could have had these on all four corners in less than 45 minutes.  That includes jack time and wheel removal.

Since the job was moving so fast I decided to clean and wax my Challenge Spokes.  Taking a good brush and soap to them did wonders.  After drying them they were given a nice coat of Prima Wheel Armor.  I have been using Prima on my cars for the last few years, but have never tried the Wheel Armor.  I’ll let you folks know how it holds up.

2009 Clubman: 8,905 miles [brake job, tires rotated, sway bar greased]