8 replies to this topic

[iDemonix]

Jacked the mini up today to adjust hi-lo's out (after finally getting it back after 2-3 months of welding/painting) and noticed a problem with the subby. It got a warning on its last MOT of corrosion and I was advised it'd need replacing by next MOT.

Is it ok to drive like this, or should I just accept defeat and take her off road for a month whilst I save for a new subframe and radius arms...

[Shifty]

Looks toasted to me, if the bottoms that bad then the top will be a lot worse. It could be plated up as a temp measure but its certainly on borrowed time. Maybe try and get a 2nd hand subby, build it up and then swap em over to save keeping the car off the road.

Be warned though, removing the subby could open up another can of (painful) worms!!

[hobnob888]

I'd replace it, my old one was a bit better than that but had patches , so I brought another one, instead of doing the welding mainly for time and convenience.

[jmmini]

http://www.theminifo...60#entry2567960

In the aale section NOT MINE but its only 150 quid and it looks sound.

Some free advertisment for the guy selling it. :)

[jmmini]

If its a rear subframe... Guessing it is

[iDemonix]

I've just put new gaz dampers and hi-lo's and cones on the back, so I'd only need the subframe from that post ^ and I don't want neg camber, plus it's too far to collect.

Anyway, I think I'll try source a new one and as said, build it up so I can hopefully jack up the mini, roll the old one out, put the wheels on the new 'un and wheel it in, I could tackle the corroded brake and fuel lines whilst I was down there too.

I'm scared to remove it though, don't know what lurks beyond!

[mini-luke]

Roll it out? More like curse at snapped bolts for a few hours!

[iDemonix]

One more question: The mounting bracket in the boot, on the drivers side, near the back of the car. There's no bolt in it, this was an MOT advisory. Through the hole in the boot floor I can see the hole on the subframe the bolt should be in, but it's about 5-10mm out of line. Is it likely the bracket has been replaced and done wrong, or is there just a lot of play in getting the subframe to marry up right? I'll get a pic tomorrow in the daylight...

[1984mini25]

Roll it out? More like curse at snapped bolts for a few hours!

Unless you're very luck and the bolts were greased the last time they were removed.

As for the mounts, similar to the hassle of fitting new engine mounts, it sometimes takes a bit of fettling to get the holes/bolts to line up.