20 replies to this topic

[smalbutsweet]

I have play on the engine when i turn the sterring wheel, theres about 1-2cm of play eirher side... is this right?

[The Matt]

Play on the engine?

Do you mean that the engine itself rocks when you drive along and turn the steering wheel?

Or do you mean that you have play in the steering system when you move the wheel?

Either way, 1-2cm of play doesn't sound particularly healthy really.

[smalbutsweet]

if i sit in car and turn steering wheel and you look under the bonnet the engine will move as i turn the steering...

[The Matt]

OK, that would suggest that you have a little bit of play in a subframe mount somewhere.
What will be happening is that the engine/subframe moves when you turn the steering because of this play. Difficult to tell exactly what is causing it without seeing it?? :erm:

Wonder if there is anyone local to you that could pop along to have a look for you?

It may look alot worse than it actually is though.

[smalbutsweet]

Ive seen 3 different mechanics, who have all done something that someone else should have done but hasnt... my mounts by now would need a sledge hammer through them to move them apparently?.. why is that every time i think my car is running right something else goes wrong.. does it ever get easier...

[smalbutsweet]

Sorry for that last one...sound a right grissler...lol

[Purple Tom]

it sounds like the subframe top turret mountings to me. These are the hardest to change with the engine and ancillaries in place, and probably the only ones which have been left not done.

(oh, and yes, it does get easier!! :grin: then things go wrong and it gets harder :nugget: )

[The Matt]

Aiii, sounds like tower mounts or turret mounts depending on year/model of car. Like minis84 has said, these have probably been left because they are harder to do than the others.

I'd get it checked out (by a Mini friendly garage).

[smalbutsweet]

Oh great, ive had her since March and its been non-stop...one thing i wish i had`nt done was the DTM exhaust.... i finally had to admit i couldnt stand the noise, but mate who fitted it put half my orig exhaust back on to quiten it down and it did...yayyy... only then any kind of height in the roads has meant ive hit it upteen times and now sound like a tank.. now this mounts and the creek in the steering too... ARHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..

[m1n1]

:wink: its not hard to fix! an i'm no mechannic.
support engine sump on a trolly jack. undo rear bottom subframe rubber mounts and remove completley. use a 33mm socket and remove top rear subframe bolts. lower jack a bit, remove bush inbetween subframe and body. then as they say in the haynes manual, refitting is simply a reversal of this procedure. oh, use solid bottom mounts and polly top-ones. it won't move then!!! took me 1 or 2 hours.

[Bluemini]

The movement you are on about is normal, its just the subframe/engine mounts moving - as they should!! Don't panic about it, even solid mounted cars have a bit of movement in them.

Unless its making knocking or squeeking noises, it is fine.

[smalbutsweet]

Cheers guys... looks like no housework gets done again this w/end.. result...

[AlexM]

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, everytime you fix something there is one less thing to go wrong; one step closer to perfection!

[Tarks]

best oh luck!

minis are like women ya can get pi$$ed offwith them but never give em up

[ianbunyan]

Here here!!