33 replies to this topic

[djshongo]

Model:sprite
Year:1993
wheel fell off



well, funny story, 2day i went to change the interior light bub in the mini, and my front wheel fell off.

OK, well i was reversing down the drive, full lock on the car, and snap! Wheel buckled inwards! Now im not a mechanic, but it looks like the bolt holding the wishbone onto behind the wheel has snapped off. Nothing else seems to be broken.

Hope this isnt a major job! And so glad i wasnt driving when it happened!

It's prob cause the wheels i have on are too large? Theyre 12" or 13", must check.
So, yea gona downsize wheels for a change after I get this prob fixed.
So, if anybodys selling gimme a shout

Well, thats my sunday!

[samsfern]

thats a bottom balljoint your referring to. Worryingly these break far too often. I had one let go at 60mph plus, result was not good at all, and destroyed the mini

[djshongo]

wow! lucky u didnt do damage to yourself mate.

Are these easy to replace? I have basic mechanical skills! Looks to me like the bolt has snapped, and may need drilled out, then just replace the bolt, no?

[samsfern]

sounds like the ball joint has sheared in half, youll need a balljoint splitter to get the leftovers out of the bottom arm (the bit you called wishbone) i take it you havent got a haynes manual? Its probably a good idea to get one from halfords. Their pretty easy to do, itll only cost about 10 pound in parts, providing the hubs ok.
im just no good at explaining things, lol

[djshongo]

HI,
yea i have got a haynes manual, best fiver ive ever spent lol

oh ok, sounds like i MAY be able to give it a go myself, just out lookin at it there now, hub seems fine, as i didnt do any driving on it wafter it snapped, managed to keep the wheel straight (with help of mate), and roll it to side of driveway.

Never heard of a balljoint splitter, must go get one if u reckon its wt i need!

thx

[Ipod]

HI,
yea i have got a haynes manual, best fiver ive ever spent lol

oh ok, sounds like i MAY be able to give it a go myself, just out lookin at it there now, hub seems fine, as i didnt do any driving on it wafter it snapped, managed to keep the wheel straight (with help of mate), and roll it to side of driveway.

Never heard of a balljoint splitter, must go get one if u reckon its wt i need!

thx

I think some motor factors higher such tools,
if you only going to use the tool once (better to borrow or higher one) IMO

[samsfern]

they only cost about 10 pounds to buy, 15 tops. Youll need a deep inch and half socket, and a socket for the driveshaft nut, mines 34mm not sure if yours will be the same, i presume you have all the other basic tools, like spanners, sockets, ratchets, etc

[djshongo]

yea i have all the other tools, i hope thats all it is and i dont have to replace the hub, how would i know if i had to? Everything else seems fine to me, but then again - im not a mechanic!

Might go snap a picture laters.

[samsfern]

put a picture up

[djshongo]

took best picture i could i'll upload it 2moro,
cheers guys

[Kam]

If your getting a ball joint splitter then dont get this one



Get this one instead



Alot more control with this one, first one can be a bit of a butchers job!!

Also, have patience, and dont shat yourself if you hear a loud massive bang when it pops

[lawrence]

agreeing with Kam there, also just to be on the safe side possibly goggles too? i know im being stupidly heath and saftey like, but i could have nearly lost and eye when i got the bottom part of my balljoint out, the part shot past my head!

[pantera2075]

You probly don't need a balljoint splitter - as the balljoint has snapped, a big hammer will do it.

A fork type won't work in this instance anyway.

[djshongo]

Hi,

heres a few pictures, best i could get yday!
thanks for the help also guys

any help appreciated!

Attached Files

•  joint3.JPG   57.34K   7 downloads
•  joint2.JPG   57.85K   6 downloads
•  joint1.JPG   61.28K   4 downloads

Edited by djshongo, 08 March 2010 - 11:15 AM.

[MiniBonkerz]

Hi,

heres a few pictures, best i could get yday!
thanks for the help also guys

any help appreciated!

yup bottom ball joint has snapped there about £7 for both upper and lower from minispares while your at it i would change the other side to 4 in total you will need a extra deep socket a torque wrench and some grease and a ball joint spliter but you can get away without them heres a really good guide i used <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.c...></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.c...hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Edited by MiniBonkerz, 08 March 2010 - 11:33 AM.