15 replies to this topic

[mutant_lego]

hello can anyone help
yet again I have been cursed with a mini that needs the suspension hiring after fitting new alloys, every time i turn sharp left the wheel is grabbing the front edge of the arch and seems like its about to split the arch open. the last mini I had i got a mechanic fix it but this time i need to fix it myself.

I know i will need a special compresion tool for the cone but i am not sure what parts will need replacing and exactly how to go about fixing it or maybe converting it to spring so it wont happen again???
can anyone shed any light on my problem?????

big ol fanx
pete

[miniman5]

you should have cut the arches if they are mega big wheels, what size are they?

[cowboy]

what are you tie bar bushes like, and do you have a large gap at the rear of the wheel and a small gap at the front when you look at it side on?

also how much gap do you hve above the wheel compared to what you have on the rear?

this will all help...

[mutant_lego]

hi there thanks for the replys

this may help a bit more...

The same 5x12 revolite alloy wheels with falken tyres were fitted to our old mini that had this problem. sorting the suspension cones out solved this problem completely. so i assume it is the suspension cones that are at fault. as it is catching the arch in the same place.
as you are looking at it from the side it catches about 3 0'clock on the arch when you full lock the steering wheel. it is only catching on the drivers side on our new one, I would say there is slightly less room at the top compared to the rear and compared to our the other mini before I swapped the wheels over.
So if it is the suspension i need to find out what bits to order ??

does anyone know any decent mechanics in nottingham ?

cheers pete

[mini90]

Sounds like Knuckle Joints at the bottom of the cones. you need 2 joints less than a fiver with the plastic cups, and a compressor for the Rubber Suspension follow the haynes manual no problem :grin: If you need a garage try Surf Blue at Eastwood they are Mini Specialists. Would give you a hand myself but am up to my neck in repairing the Rally car.
Kev

[Purple Tom]

pete i made a compressor tool out of some threaded bar, it works really well. If you need to borrow it to do the work then you can, let me know and i'll bring it to halfords for you/

[andyps]

When the ball joints are worn the front of a Mini will always be low, particularly when compared to the back. May be worth checking them, and at least adding some grease.

[Miniman]

ye hope u get it fixed soon

[Guess-Works.com]

Before you change the cones... consider this.. I just payed 56 quid for 2 new cones ( petal's were completely bo****ed ), but a set of hilos will cost you about 40...

Food for thought.

[mutant_lego]

hi tom cheers for the reply and fanx to all yall who are helping me wiv this.

if ya can bring that commpression tool into halfords tom and let us know il come and see ya in me new mayfair, I am hoping it is somthing simple like a nackerd washer as swapping cones sound like a costly pain in the backside.
bloody thing wouldnt start this morning either. battery is a duff one i reckon
why cant people be a little more honest when they sell you a car??
fanx p

[Badoff]

I had the same problem with my mini, as the car ages the rubber cones compress slightly and when you put wider wheels on it will show this problem. My bet would be the rubber cones but obviously you can overcome this with a set of hi los but i wouldnt suggest buying a cheap alloy set as these corrode and seize up quite quickly your best of spending a little more on the original ripspeed type available from mini spares cant remember the price though. of course like others have said it could be the knuckles especially as it is only happening on one side check these first as they are a lot cheaper.

[mutant_lego]

a twist in the tail my freinds.

I have measured from the door seam where it meets the A-panel to the center of the wheel this measures 16"3/4 but on the passenger side and on my other mini it measures only 15"3/4 so the wheel is sitting too far forward by whole bloody 1 inch.
What the foo is going on here then ??? and how could this have happend??

help m OBwan you're my only hope.......

[cowboy]

there is a possabitity that the sub frame mounts are worn and teh subframe is slightly of centre causing one side to be more forward than the other, also as i said earlier, have a check at your tie bar bushes, and teh bushes at the front of the subframe..


a mate of mine baught a mini without these bushes fitted a few years back

[andyps]

They came out of the factory with a lot of variation in the wheelbase from one side to the other, so certainly could vary considerably from car to car.

[mutant_lego]

mmmm! this is starting to get more complicated than peviously thought.

i've checked the tie bar bushes and these look to be ok, I will check the sub frame mounting bushes at the weekend when i get a chance, i hope the sub frame isnt out of line, that would be just rubbish. i just bought this for £1800 on the premis it was in a1 condition. blummin thing wouldnt start yesterday either duff battery.

thanx peeple you're to kind