32 replies to this topic

[p.park]

Hello all, I hope you can help me with this.
The car's 1981 austin mini HL

I recently hit some evil pot holes.
unfortunately at the time, i had 2 mates sitting in the back as well.
when i hit this pot hole, soon afterward, i started hearing some rubbing noise at the back...(mostly rear near side)
After 5-6 miles, I decided to get out and take a look.
When I got out and looked at it, the near side rear wheel (12 inch) was so low that it was nearly touching the arch!
but when my mates got out, the gap between the wheel and the arch became a bit wider.
So i came home, which was 30-40 miles. This was ok, except when turning corners, when i heard occasional rubbing noises.
When i got home, I decided to push down the rear of the car to see what it would do.
It seems that the off side rear suspension seems ok and there's about an inch's gap between the arch and wheel on off side.
But, when i pushed down the near side, it was only slightly bouncy and it stayed down. So I grabbed the arch and pulled it up, then it stayed up.

Here are the questions.

1. Is the suspension gone?
2. Or is the shock bar gone?
3. Is it dangerous in this condition?
4. If it is the suspension, my question is about the FUEL TANK..., I checked the Haynes and other posts about replacing the near side rear suspension, but they never seem to give an adequate explanation about moving/removing the fuel tank.
Is there a fuel pipe I should be careful about? Where is it and how would I go about detaching fuel pipes or wires from the fue tank?!?
5. Is there anything else I should be changing when replacing the rubber cone e.g. bushes ?

Thanks in advance

parker

Edited by p.park, 17 January 2010 - 01:03 PM.

[R1minimagic]

You didn't say what model/year of car it is.

Generally you can take the fuel cap off, undo the bottom strap bolt and manouvre the tank into the spare wheel well without taking any fuel pipes off. Put some old towels or something on the boot floor to stop it getting scratched.

I think you need to have a proper inspection underneath as something isn't right. You might have even damaged your subframe.

[p.park]

subframe? would you be able to elaborate? why would you suspect that?
Bear in mind, when i push the near side down, it goes down only by 10mm or so.

Edited by p.park, 17 January 2010 - 01:07 PM.

[R1minimagic]

If you put a heavy load into the rear wheel it will be transferred into the shock/mountings and also through the radius arm into the alloy trumpet/rubber cone/subframe. You need to check all those parts, if the subframe is weak/rusty it could have bent that too.

[p.park]

If you put a heavy load into the rear wheel it will be transferred into the shock/mountings and also through the radius arm into the alloy trumpet/rubber cone/subframe. You need to check all those parts, if the subframe is weak/rusty it could have bent that too.

hmm...i see...
my subframe is pretty solid though...
but then again you could be right...
what i'm wondering about is, why you went for the subframe before considering any issue with the suspension, is it because of what i said about the push-pull movement on that side?

[Surfbluegarage]

just going by the last thing you said on your post p.park.. you said you pushed it down and it stayed down... this bit sounds abit like either a seized radius arm or shocker perhaps...
that or your cone may have gone completly.. thus not giving any spring

Edited by mini_mad_daps, 17 January 2010 - 01:22 PM.

[Dan]

If it rubs more when you corner then there may be lateral movement in the suspension. There is no capacity for lateral movement in the rear suspension of a Mini at all, other than tyre deformation. Lift the rear of the car and check that the radius arms can't move anywhere they aren't supposed to.

[p.park]

Ok thanks.

I just went and checked the radius arm for movement. As far as limited knowledge and skills go, I don't think there's any lateral movement there.
The subframe seems ok too.
I checked for any dislodgement of knuckle joint..
that seemed ok too.
so, which's the culprit under the arch?

by the way, is there any danger of damaging the pipe when i move the fule pipe aside?

Edited by p.park, 17 January 2010 - 01:34 PM.

[R1minimagic]

Best taking the shock off and check the radius arm can go up and down freely, could have bent the pin or brackets.

[p.park]

Best taking the shock off and check the radius arm can go up and down freely, could have bent the pin or brackets.

I see, which pin or what brackets?
Where do I look for these?

[R1minimagic]

Item 12 on here and the outer bracket.

http://www.somerford...-RubberCone.pdf

[Surfbluegarage]

i think r1 is referring to the pin that goes throught the radius arm... and brackets that support it. only way to check is to remove said item (pin anyway bracket may be visual)
if it was me id check for this visually and take the top nuts off the shocker to let it come down and see if the radius arm is seized and what resistance it has against you lifting and lowering it..you may find the cause

[bmcecosse]

Could be the subframe has broken - how closely have you inspected it ? To do it properly the car would need to be up on ramps - MOT ramps would be best! Could also be broken ball end in the trumpet - or collapsed rubber spring - or even the subby has come away from the bodyshell! I think a very thorough inspection is called for - maybe ask your MOT place to put it up on the ramps and have a good look around.

[p.park]

Could be the subframe has broken - how closely have you inspected it ? To do it properly the car would need to be up on ramps - MOT ramps would be best! Could also be broken ball end in the trumpet - or collapsed rubber spring - or even the subby has come away from the bodyshell! I think a very thorough inspection is called for - maybe ask your MOT place to put it up on the ramps and have a good look around.

jees, the problem seems to be getting bigger and bigger with every question (!).

I simply had the car on two jacks (I know i should have done it with axle stands), supported on subframes.

So, the possible causes are , so far

1. radius arm pin bent
2. broken knuckle joint (ball end)
3. seized radius arm
5. seized shocker
4. (maybe) collapsed suspension


how difficult is it to the remove radius arm? (is this what i need to get if the pin's gone, http://www.minisport...nfo_8G7134.html )

Edited by p.park, 17 January 2010 - 01:57 PM.

[Surfbluegarage]

yes. well put it this way if your cone has collapsed.. you will be able to see it where u sit... if the radius arm is seized.. kill two birds with one stone and take the top shock nuts off from behind the tank and make sure A. the shock isnt seized and B. the radius arm isnt either... also do a visual inspection of all subframe mounts bolts and general overview of the subframe.. if you see anything that may be suspect post a picture up on here and we'll try and help