29 replies to this topic

[Mini Hex]

Hello
I have stripped the mini down but just waiting for the bracket to lift the engine out. I have started looking at the rust and wanted some advice. There is rust appearing round the wings and scuttle panel, should I just get a new front end. Both footwells have alot of rust. Someone had tried to repair them with a patch and used bathroom silicone to hide the terrible job they did. The toeboard is rusting toward the bottom and where the subframe mounts are. The left rear wheel arch has also got a patch on with silicone for extra strength. The right side has two holes all the way through. I'm not sure how I would get to these spots. The boot has a rust hole in the right hand corner and has been patched In the left corner too. Could I have some advice on what to do on each of these problems, I can attach pictures if needed.
Thank you

[jamesquintin]

Pictures always help...

 

I had rust around my rear sub frame mounts, a rusty battery box, small holes under spare wheel and a crusty valance seem. All could have been patched individually, but decided to replace the whole boot floor.

 

Same with arches, I had holes in the top, and you can get that part on its own, but there was no was to weld it in properly (full arches are seem welded/crimped) to just bought full arches

 

Toeboard might be straight forward as its pretty much a flat panel, so should be simple to patch

 

footwells can be easily replaced, I ended up doing the whole floor due to patches of rust

 

wings/scuttle, not really done them yet, but again should be easy to replace

 

have a look at my project:

http://www.theminifo...i-cooper/page-2

 

Q

[sonikk4]

Yep, attach pictures (use Photobucket) but by the sounds of it a lot of work ahead.

[tiger99]

And please don't get discouraged if you find it is worse than it seems. All Minis can be fixed unless hopelessly bent or twisted. The parts are available, unlike most other cars that are at least 17 years old. There is plenty of free advice here, most of it good. Every rust problem that you have has been discussed here many times. You are not alone. There are solutions to the problems.

[jamesquintin]

All of my Mini related problems involve handing over cold hard cash to Minispares ;)

[sonikk4]

All of my Mini related problems involve handing over cold hard cash to Minispares ;)

 

I think we can all relate to that particular ailment.

[jamesquintin]

They will be soothing my problems tomorrow morning ;)

[Mini Hex]

Right side of the boot

[Mini Hex]

Left corner

[Mini Hex]

Left side of boot, has had a previous patch. Should I patch these two areas or would it be better to put a repair panel in.

[Mini Hex]

Both of these corners are rusted, sorry I'm not sure what the proper terminology is, someone has replaced the rear valence but didn't replace the rusty bits that support it in the corner. I would like your thoughts on this. I'm not sure how far I should go with it.

[Mini Hex]

[Mini Hex]

Left side inner wheel arch. Had been patched before and covered with silicon. I think I should remove this and fit a new one just in case it was just plated over the rust.

[Mini Hex]

This is the right side inner wheel arch. Not sure what to do here, looks pretty tight. Would a patch each side be alright.

[Mini Hex]

Someone must have tried jacking it up here as it's buckled inward.