27 replies to this topic

[dipstick]

Why do you want negative camber on the back of a mini?!!

I think those aftermarket brackets are pointless, once you have set it you dont need to adjust it anymore, they look crap and tinny, just file it out a bit at a time until it is right!

I'll look at 2 options...I'm a newb when it comes to minis...never had the rear wheels off just yet...I want a fixed camber deg, do u guys have a DIY on what to file , im kinda leaning towards the brackets since its non-permanent and taking steel off is.

[Macming]

A few small bits of metal, two 1/4 bolts / nuts, a file and a tame welder and you could maybe try this mod.
As long as you file the slot in line with the original hole, and take it up a good 1/4 inch you should have all the adjustment up and down you should need.
a lock nut each side of the fixed plate will hold till you've tightened the shaft nuts.this is basically all you are buying anyway  no1.jpg   70.52K   17 downloads  no2.jpg   68.77K   15 downloads  no3.jpg   71.22K   11 downloadsjpg]  no4.jpg   79.64K   11 downloads  no5.jpg   76.27K   9 downloads  no6.jpg   68.48K   12 downloads]

[minivanman]

except it doesnt have the serrations to keep it from slipping...

The minispares brackets are only £34, less with tmf discount. Half the field in mighty minis uses them so I'd say they're strong enough.

[R1minimagic]

Mighty minis dont go down 3 inch deep pot holes with 3 people in the back!! Lol

Just because something is ok for race use doesn't necessarily mean it is ok for road use, racing wheels are a perfect example.

The aftermarket brackets are probably adequate but filing the holes out will be a lot stronger. I dont see why you would file too much out, filing only takes a small amount off so shouldnt be any worries and if you do file too much off just weld it up again!!

Out of interest, are the bracket adjusters stainless steel? If not they will rust up in next to no time



PS Cant see that weld on the end of the stud in the pic above lasting that long, it looks rather weak.

Edited by R1minimagic, 11 November 2009 - 08:40 AM.

[Wil_h]

The picture on the first page has waaaay to much camber. 0.5 to 1 is more than enough, in most cases 0 would be fine.

Both using after market brackets and modding the standard ones are equally valid ways to achieve -ve camber, why are there 10 threads on this forum arguing the same point. If you want to be a bale to play a bit, fit brackets, if you know what you want or are happy to go slowly as it's difficult to reduce the camber once filed, then file the hole.

I have Minispares brackets on my road car, they are fine, I have KAD brackets on my hillclimber, look good and strong, but they moved when I hit a curb. My mini based kit car is having it's holes filed soon.

[Cooperman]

I've always filed the holes and it's always worked fine. As my cars are usually rally cars I fit a large washer over the filed hole and MIG it in place. If I slightly bend swomething, I can just grind off the washer, re-set by a bit of filing if necessary, or by moving the arm back towards where it was, and re-weld a new washer in place.
And all you need to set the camber is a square piece of plywood about 20" square.
I still say go for 1/16" toe-in, as that's always worked for me. Others may set different toe-in on the rear, or zero toe-in. It's what suits the individual in terms of handling. I'm guessing less toe-in makes for a sharper turn-in whilst increased toe-in makes for more potential understeer. My car, especially on gravel tyres, turns in sometimes a bit too well even with 1/16" toe-in on the rear and straight-ahead tracking on the front (with 1.5 deg neg on the front aqnd 0.5 deg neg on the back).;

[icklemini]

From practical experience of these brackets i can say that:

the aftermarket fully adjustable brackets - I have *never* known the adjustments to slip... I have used the KAD, minispares and minisport ones for 10+years for road, track, and rallycross. These cars have taken side swipes, been given plenty of 'air', etc. Have bent radius arms and the brackets havent shifted.

The little nut and bolt that is often thought 'holds the adjustment' doesnt (the KAD and minisport ones dont use this). that little nut and bolt is there to lock the adjuster should you wish to remove the bracket in the future for radius arm work.

The tightness of the pivot shaft nut holds the adjustment fine (held against the serations.

Granted the downside of them is that they dont look the prettiest things in the world (though the KAD ones are nice

Have also seen the minispares and minisport brackets break at the welds - though this could well be to do with amount of toe out that was dialled into the car at the time and the forces that impose.

ttfn

[Wil_h]

From practical experience of these brackets i can say that:

the aftermarket fully adjustable brackets - I have *never* known the adjustments to slip... I have used the KAD, minispares and minisport ones for 10+years for road, track, and rallycross. These cars have taken side swipes, been given plenty of 'air', etc. Have bent radius arms and the brackets havent shifted.

After my KAD brackets moved I contacted KAD to ask about the torque settings for the nut, they stated that the standard torque is to be used; this is what they were set at at the time. I have never changed anything and they have never moved since, must have been an unlucky set of circumstances.

[Sherlock]

I use adjustable brackets from Huddersfield Spares, I've been very happy with them & they've been on there years & never moved or bent. In hindsight it would have saved money to get out the file.
In reply to R1minimagic's first post; 'Why do you want negative on the back of a Mini?' In my case it started off as a purely practical measure, there was positive on the back & I was looking for a way to even out the tyre wear, same on the front, so not only did I transform the handling, I virtually doubled the life of the tyres.

[dipstick]

I use adjustable brackets from Huddersfield Spares, I've been very happy with them & they've been on there years & never moved or bent. In hindsight it would have saved money to get out the file.
In reply to R1minimagic's first post; 'Why do you want negative on the back of a Mini?' In my case it started off as a purely practical measure, there was positive on the back & I was looking for a way to even out the tyre wear, same on the front, so not only did I transform the handling, I virtually doubled the life of the tyres.

Thanks guys...lots of great info...I'll play with my existing brackets (filing) since i want a fixed number with an oem look...and from some research I want 0° - -1° since its going to be a city car 99% of its life.

How much filing do I require to achieve a -1° camber.

Maybe some before (original holes) and some after (slotted holes) pics???

Thanks again....love this forum!!!

[bmcecosse]

The 'filing' is easy and cheap - and it works! The amount you need to file depends entirely on the position you are starting from - you need to measure what you have now - then if you want less +ve camber - file the hole upwards by ~ 1/16" - refit and measure again. From the change you notice - you will get a feel for how much more you need to file (or grind if you have a grinder!) Just do it in stages until you get to where you want to be! As Cooperman said earlier - when happy - weld on a thick washer - and weld up the unused section of 'slot' you have created. We were doing this 40+ years ago - long before 'adjustable' brackets were ever heard of! Some of the adjustable brackets I have seen have been truly pathetic - including the one shown earlier!

[camp freddy]

The picture on the first page has waaaay to much camber.


WHY!!!

I have no problems with handling , in the dry or the wet. And the car certainly
goes round bends better than most cars as some people on here can confirm.
I've notice some modern hot hatches have the same or in some cases more neg
camber than me. .



don't look that severe now it's settled down

Edited by camp freddy, 21 November 2009 - 10:45 PM.

[dipstick]

The picture on the first page has waaaay to much camber.


WHY!!!

I have no problems with handling , in the dry or the wet. And the car certainly
goes round bends better than most cars as some people on here can confirm.
I've notice some modern hot hatches have the same or in some cases more neg
camber than me. .

I agree that mini s handle great ... I just hate the look of positive camper...Its all about the stance.