10 replies to this topic

[cossack]

Model:rio(was)
Year:1993
Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible):i recently removed my rear sub frame to replace with a beam setup with coil overs
after it was all done my car now seems to be crabbing which it was not before.
i have had the 4 wheel tracking checked and everything was good
i wondered if there is a fix for this or is it something i will have to live with.
it drives well but deep down i know its crabbing so want to sort if i can



Any non-standard parts that might be involved with the problem?huddersfield rear beam setup

[yeti21586]

How do you no it's crabbing? If the tracking is good then it w
Should be fine,
Minis all ways look like there crabbing can't remember the reason why they look like it

YetI

[Guess-Works.com]

Because minis are narrower at the back than the front... therefore when driving behind it looks like you can see more of the side than you should be able too, and assume it's crabbing.

I make the assumption that you have adjustable tracking brackets on your beam, and also you are sure that the radius arms are not bent.

[mk3 Cooper S]

A crabber is a crabber, easy to tell when you follow it.

Did you do any work on the heal boards when you fitted your beam?

[dklawson]

I agree with John and YetI.

To put your mind at ease, have someone else drive the car while you drive behind it. The first time you follow your car... you drive the chase vehicle. The next time, you sit up front in the chase car as a passenger. Drive both tests over the same route. You may be pleasantly surprised to find the car looks like it is crabbing (the opposite directions) on each of your test drives. This would confirm it is an optical illusion and that your car really is running "straight".

[Wil_h]

A bit from column A and a bit from colum B.

I agree that minis can look like they are crabbing when they're not.

But when they ARE crabbing it is obvious.

[minisilverbullet]

Unless you are following the 'crabbing' car dead straight from behind it will look like it is crabbing.

However, as there are lots of other variables that make it easy for a mini to crab (heal board repairs, rear tracking (which could be a host of issues), some minis to inevitable crab!

[cossack]

thanks for tips etc etc etc
will have to investigate a bit more.
there has been no repairs to the heelboard but i knon that one off the captive nuts from the original subframe mounts did start spinning so was re-welded in place

will have to try the follow tck and see what its like.

it does not seem to affect the handling off the car so as mentioned earlier it could just be an illusion.

[MiniLandy]

Surely if a car's crabbing, it'll have a MASSIVE effect on the handling? As it'll effectively rear steer when it's pointed at one type (left or right hand) of corner.

My car isn't crabbing, but one of my rear wheels isn't quite straight (poss bent radius arm?), and the effect on the handling is really noticable.

[chalkie]

My mini is off centre as one wheel sticks out from the arch by 2mm and the other is in by 2mm. My plan is to just shave down my spacers.

[icklemini]

Most minis 'crab', in fact - most cars do!...

As above though its probably 'normal'...

Rear tracking doesnt fix the crabbing (a common belief that it does... can lead to a host of other issues though!)

If however the subframe is wonky in the car, then the fix is to adjust the subframe (and not the wheels/radus arms!)

Chances are though its nothing to worry about