12 replies to this topic

[womwom]

My mate followed me the other day and said my min was crabbing down the road!! I have checked the radius arms and cant find any play in them, so what else is causing it? I does feel very floaty on the road but I thought that could be down to the wide 13" wheels!?

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

mine did this was the front subframe floor mounts took them off to find they were shot as were the front pear drop mounts

[Ethel]

Sticking brakes, flat tyres, loose or bent suspension.

[Pauly]

Me and a few others have come to the conclusion that all minis look like are crabbing. This is because of a few things.

1. The rear wheels toe in so when looking directly behind a mini you can see the front wheels which give the illusion of crabbing

2. The mini narrows down at the back which also give this illusion

You will notice that minis fitted with 13's makes the illusion more noticable, ive followed 2 fitted with 13's, both looked like they where crabbing.

Paul.

Edited by Pauly, 15 April 2009 - 08:39 PM.

[dklawson]

I have nothing technical to add...

The title of the thread actually says "What causes Grabbing" (not crabbing). I opened this thread to see if anyone had made any sexual references yet. Sorry.

However, back on a technical note, I agree completely with Pauly. If your friends think a Mini is crabbing, have them switch which side of the chase car they're sitting on and have them look again. They are likely to change which way they think the Mini in front of them appears to be "crabbing".

Edited by dklawson, 15 April 2009 - 08:48 PM.

[gumball]

A simple way to check for damage that will cause crabbing is to measuer the center to center of wheels each side..

Thay should be the same BUT you will be amazed how many mini's are different sizes side to side....

[MRA]

A simple way to check for damage that will cause crabbing is to measuer the center to center of wheels each side..

Thay should be the same BUT you will be amazed how many mini's are different sizes side to side....

I think from memory you will find that this is caused by them actually leaving the factory 1/8" (maybe 1/16") longer one side against the other.

[Pauly]

I think from memory you will find that this is caused by them actually leaving the factory 1/8" (maybe 1/16") longer one side against the other.

Second that.

Edited by Pauly, 16 April 2009 - 07:39 AM.

[womwom]

So is it just an optical illusion that minis crab? Or do they if things get worn?

Come to think of it after following a few in my time i think i have only ever seen them crab with the front end going right!!

[Ethel]

If it drives ok, brakes in a straight line, 'n doesn't scoff tyres then it is ok.

[MRA]

Just a thought, measuring wheel centre to centre on both sides will not actually be that accurate....... Try it, then just tweak the steering wheel a little to one side or the other and measure again, interesting ???

[tog77]

have you changed or anybody changed the rear subframe lately or have you had the rear subframe off.........

tog77

[icklemini]

minis crabbing is generally an 'old wives tales' - Pauly above has suggested reasons why they appear to crab..

You can get any car to crab if you mess up the suspension alignment.

Measuring wheel centre to centre wont tell you a thing sadly... too many factors for it to be of relevant use.