7 replies to this topic

[Keith Grendahl]

1960 Morris mini, LHD

The left wheel does not stick out as far as the right. Looking under the car you can see that the left shock absorber mount is only about 1/16 inch from the subframe. The right has an inch or more of clearance. I can't see anything bent or out of place. Car tracks fine. What could be wrong? Are there differences between early and later radius arms, and I have a mixed set?

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 100_3281.jpg   66.81K   39 downloads

Thanks,
Keith

[minidaves]

yes they early arms are differant

[tiger99]

This is fascinating. There can't be many of those early radius arms still around. I seem to recall that there were other differences, not just the slightly wider track. Detailed design of the handbrake quadrant and its pivot, brake pipe bracket, and stub axle (the shocker end) come to mind. It will be interesting to see if you can spot any of these differences.

[Keith Grendahl]

Are you saying that the right arm is early or that both are early and that the wider right track is normal? When i replaced the handbrake quadrants I had to bore the new ones to fit the pivot. Not sure of any brake pipe or stub shaft differences or what I would look for.

[tiger99]

The old one is the one which needed the handbrake quadrant to be bored, if it was a new part. But the very oldest arms just had a curved guide, as on the subframe. My memory is a bit rusty, and the other differences may not be all that obvious, or not even there, as they did not necessarily change everything at the same time.

I have given this some more thought, and am wondering if it is slapdash welding of the subframe horizontal web that makes the clearances seem to be unequal. That would not be terribly important, only a minor effect on structural stiffness. You would need to measure somewhere else to prove the point.

I assume the subframe is not original, and maybe a pattern part?

[Cooperman]

That sub-frame needs changing, so maybe when the new one is being assembled you can measure everything as see where the problem emanates from, if it still exists with the new frame.

[Kerrin]

The arms both look the same type to me from the photo's. (as well as you can in an iPhone!)

My rear arms have welded on lugs for the handbrake quadrant to pivot on, rather than a long pin passing thought the cast. I am in no way an expert on rear arms but mine do look quite different to the usual mini arms. Is it possible your subframe is fubar or the arm rollers and pin are shot, is there any play in the arm with it jacked up off the ground?

[bmcecosse]

Although there are early and later arms (and hydro arms) I'm not aware that the track EVER changed - except of course with the spacer S type drums....... That subby is rotten - good chance the radius arm inner mount is rotted or bent following a curb expedition........ Fit a new subby.