8 replies to this topic

[danny19boy86]

hi i decided to rubdown my rear subframe and give it a paint. when i was giving it a wire brush it discovered this hole. can it be repaired or do i need a new subframe?

[redhotminilewis]

I would replace it.

My subframe looked better than that and when I took it out it was completely rotten! Plus when you buy a new one you can treat it with Por 15 or hammerite and it will last a long time. Im using zinc primer and hammerite black and its really good.

You can buy replacement panels but chances are it could be rotten elsewhere and unless you have all the right tools its better just to replace it!

[danny19boy86]

can i ask how much a replacement was

[stocky]

New MOT laws state you cant weld subframes anymore so replacement is the only option

that's what I got told by my mini friendly MOT man last year so replaced mine recently

[danny19boy86]

is it a job you can do yourself or is it a garage job

[stocky]

Yeh I did mine ok by myself in my garage. nothing special is needed to be honest

Only advice Id give you is, make sure the subframe you get has the outer radius brackets on because these are unique to the subframe and wont always fit another. I found out the hard way as my originals had less surface rust on than my new to me one but would the holes line up, no they wouldnt.

[redhotminilewis]

Picked one up at a Bingley for £160, non genuine. But you must treat it before you put it back on so it was an extra for £25 for the zinc primer and hammerite. New subframe bolts are recommended too are about £8. Also budget in an extra £20-£30 as a few of my bushes and rear pins were unusable.

In terms of skill, its an easy job to do. A fairly unskilled mechanic with a good engineering knowledge can carry out this task fine.

In terms of what stocky said about brackets, ive never had this issue as ive always bought my subframe with brackets attached but its great advice and I will have to agree buying it all together knowing the differentiations with non genuine parts.

[stocky]

Both of the subframes in question are genuine ones. be prepared to get filthy as well lol. Its surprising how much crap a subby can hold

[dow62]

Bought a genuine second hand one, that had been blasted and powdercoated for £70, out of the for sale section on here.