11 replies to this topic

[secondopsman]

OK heres one for the wise folk on TMF i have a 998 mini flame 1990 if i look at the car from the front the passenger side wheel looks to be sat further under the wing at the top than the drivers side i have put a spirit level up straight against the wheel and measured the gap between the spirt level and the rim and its about 5mm difference between top and bottom this is a car i have just got finished and taxed and mot and i havent done more than 10 miles yet so dont know if it scrubs the tread but it does drive ok and doesnt pull is tit a case of the wheels just need tracking or should i be looking deeper
Thanks in advance Pete

[taffy1967]

Have you checked the tie-bars because if their bent, this can cause wheel geometry problems?

[secondopsman]

Have you checked the tie-bars because if their bent, this can cause wheel geometry problems?

Silly question and please dont take the p**s but which ones are they
Pete

[taffy1967]

The tie-bars are the suspension arms that run from the suspension to the mounts at the front of the Mini. Just pop your head under the front of your Mini and you'll see them either side, just behind the front panel.

As standard parts they were designed for the Mini 850 with 10" wheels, so it's quite common for them to bend what with the extra pressure of larger wheels and bigger engines. The most common problem is that the average tyre fitter bends them when jacking up the front of the car.

Heavy duty replacements make a big difference.

[icklemini]

sadly due to the quality of replacement panels - and the cars themselves: measuring against the bodywork can lead to a lot of head scratching.

this is true on most cars not just minis.

if you have a spirit level - measure the bubble on both sides to initially check its about the same... ideally, get the geometry checked.

[Dan6061]

Take it to a good tyre place with a laser alignment set-up, and tell them your problem and ask if they could look at it. Usually won't cost you anything just to get it checked, but for them to make adjustments it will. Think it's usually about £20 or so.
I used to work at a tyre place (Just Tyres) but out alignment kit was rubbish and old! I used to send our customers to the better places to get it checked on proper equipment! I didn't like working there, so I wasn't fussed.

You could always jack the front of the car up, and compare each side to see if you can spot a difference?

[secondopsman]

Right im back AGAIN
Had the tracking checked and adjusted but the wheel does seem to be still set under the arch more on the passenger side the guy at the tyre centre said the sub frame could be fitted wrong is this possible also he said its possible to shim/pack the hub out to suit the other side is this corrrect another suggestion was to use a 5mm spacer on the wheel
any suggestions please
Pete

[secondopsman]

Right im back AGAIN
Had the tracking checked and adjusted but the wheel does seem to be still set under the arch more on the passenger side the guy at the tyre centre said the sub frame could be fitted wrong is this possible also he said its possible to shim/pack the hub out to suit the other side is this corrrect another suggestion was to use a 5mm spacer on the wheel
any suggestions please
Pete

Anyone

[Kerrin]

Is it the whole wheel that is set in by 5mm or is it just the top of the wheel (ie too much camber)?

If it is camber it could be bushes/swivel pins etc. Jack it up and see if anything feels loose while you wobble the wheel.

If it is the whole wheel then maybe the subframe is over to one side, check the mounts and wiggle the steering wheel side to side while you look to see if the top big nuts on the subframe move about.

Has the car had new wings/front/a panels, if so could the wing just be distorted which is causing the problem.

[andyapanel]

Might the rubber cones have collapsed? You did not say if you had replaced them when you rebuilt it. My Racing Green shows very similar symptoms and I am planning to replace the cones.

[secondopsman]

Is it the whole wheel that is set in by 5mm or is it just the top of the wheel (ie too much camber)?

If it is camber it could be bushes/swivel pins etc. Jack it up and see if anything feels loose while you wobble the wheel.

If it is the whole wheel then maybe the subframe is over to one side, check the mounts and wiggle the steering wheel side to side while you look to see if the top big nuts on the subframe move about.

Has the car had new wings/front/a panels, if so could the wing just be distorted which is causing the problem.

I have jacked it up and nothing feels loose and theres no play any were it has only just (20 miles ago) passed its mot with flying colours. It is the whole wheel yes and its also had new wings and a panels by the look of it if the sub frame is to one side is it possible just to loosen things and push it over or is that just me being stupid
Pete

[secondopsman]

Might the rubber cones have collapsed? You did not say if you had replaced them when you rebuilt it. My Racing Green shows very similar symptoms and I am planning to replace the cones.

The cones havent been replaced as far as i know but if they had collapsed woudnt that have been picked up on the mot 20 miles ago
Pete.

Edited by secondopsman, 28 December 2008 - 11:02 PM.