5 replies to this topic

[craignicholls]

Hi Guys,

I have just had a mechanic do some work to my mini, whilst doing so he mentioned that the Inner driver side wing had become detached, and needed some welding as if looked like it had become detached at the weld. Could some please highlight the severity of this problem?

Is the inner wing structural?

Can i still use my mini?

Thanks

[minidaves]

yes its structural, yes you can use it but can cause other issues if not fixed that will cost more money

dave

[craignicholls]

Thanks Dave, Sorry for the noob question i have had the car long, would anyone mind explaining what is the purpose of the inner wing?

Does it just support the outer wing or is there another use for it? does anything bold onto it?

[Andrew O]

Yes it supports the outer wing and the front panel, It's also stops your engine getting covered in crap

[minidaves]

and on a late mini 76 on basically subports the front subframe via the front panel, i would proberly guess the subframe mounts are worn too

dave

[tiger99]

It actually carries some subframe loads even on pre-76 models, and in those days it was common for those who had removed the inner wings to find that it failed the MOT, and some people who were stopped by the police for various reasons were successfully prosecuted for violating the Construction and Use Regulations. Even more likely if they had fitted a flip front!

Seemingly no-one cares any more, that is until there is a major accident caused by a subframe folding up at high speed, whereupon there will be such a clampdown that our hobby will be seriously endangered.

On post 1976 cars the rear rubber mounts fail regularly, and wil certainly do so very quickly if the front mounts are not secure, leaving the two top bolts to transfer an enormous torsional load into the bulkhead crossmember. When the crossmember fails, or the bolts rip out from the top of the subframe, disaster will occur.

If you don't have inner wings which are in good structural condition, or have been removed to make way for a nice, shiny engine which is not an A series, you do need properly designed bracing bars, which feed subframe loads into the bulkhead area properly. that is acceptable practice, but as Mr. Bungles will tell you, it means that you need a BIVA, which will be very difficult for a Mini to pass.

Oh, and if you don't have bracing bars, you need the outer wings to brace the inner wings, so they can carry the load without buckling, so don't believe those who say thay they are not essential either. A monocoque works becaise every part works together, and although not every part is carrying primary loads, those which are not are often doing a very vital function, preventing the primary structure from buckling.