16 replies to this topic

[gsms]

Here's my situation:




Now as you can see my subframe is broken where the lower engine (gearbox) steady meets it. I'm getting this sorted on Monday morning and not driving the car until then, so don't worry about that.

If you look closely you can see the missing piece of subframe is still atached to the end of the steady-bar!

I've heard that this steady isn't actually needed. Could anyone else shed some light on the subject? Will there be a difference in the sharpness of gear changes if I don't re-attach this lower steady when it's being welded up? The car's a Cooper Spi but this shouldn't make a difference.

Cheers. Guy.

[stef]

well im trying to get mine back on at the moment. it came off and now my engines moved as a result so im guessing it is important. otherwise they wouldnt put it on in the first place i assume.... but im driving without it and its alright. but do get it put back on. or an ultimate gearbox steady.

[pikey7]

It is needed as it will help keep the torque on the engine mounts in a straight line. You can run with it for now, but leave it too long and I suspect your engine mounts will fail five times as fast. The alternative if you can't repair it easily, is to fit a RH aftermarket steady which bolts up from the rear of the subframe to the sump. It'll save you ripping the engine out to get weld access to put the bracket back, and I believe is designed to do just this job as the braket is realtively well known for failing.

[gsms]

Just what I wanted to know! Thanks guys!

[miniboo]

this happend to mine on another mini i had.

I just took the steady off and got someone to weld the bracket part back on.

re-fitted the steady and it was fine.

didnt have to remove the engine to do it.

[gsms]

Yeah I won't be taking the engine out for it, it's fairly accessible from underneath.

One problem though is that the two sides of the subframe have been pulled apart slightly, so a chain will be used to hold them together, then a thick steel plate welded between them, THEN the bracket welded onto that.

[pikey7]

Yeah I won't be taking the engine out for it, it's fairly accessible from underneath.

One problem though is that the two sides of the subframe have been pulled apart slightly, so a chain will be used to hold them together, then a thick steel plate welded between them, THEN the bracket welded onto that.

Que? how? what? eh?

How have they been pulled apart? what happened!? That sounds rather too drastic to not have any comment!

[gsms]

If you look at the photo, can you see that the piece of metal still attached to the steady bar is actually too small for the gap in the subframe? Theres about an inch difference there!!

[Jackman]

well im trying to get mine back on at the moment. it came off and now my engines moved as a result so im guessing it is important. otherwise they wouldnt put it on in the first place i assume.... but im driving without it and its alright. but do get it put back on. or an ultimate gearbox steady.

You say that. My old Mini was a jet black and that never had the bottom mount on the gearbox at all and there wasnt a mount on the front subframe either.

I wonder if it was actually standard fitting from factory or not.

[minidaves]

urm err thats fcuked Its been welded at least once before, there is an non orginal weld near the tie bar too, Would have to say scrap it and replace it with another subframe, and if its moved its busted somewhere else too

dave

[Jackman]

GSMS ive got a front subframe for sale if your intrested.

[pikey7]

actually, on closer inspection, something does look funny. It looks as though there is a chunk pulled out of the bottom edge of the subframe, and that the bracket was welded on below it. Now I'm not even pretending to know all variants of Minis, but all the ones I've seen have the bracket welded inside the front section (i.e. above the piece that seems to be missing) It's almost as though that peice has been chopped out and welded back in the wrong way up! If I remember, I'll take a pic of mine tomorrow to show you.

[miniboo]

yeah i agree with pikey7 i thought that it didnt look right aswell.

all the front subbys i have seen(not that many) have had the bracket on the inside part of the subby

[minipirate]

should be ok without for a while, i think the early minis didnt have this bar, pre a+ i think, could be wrong, but im sure its better with it!

[Dan]

You need a new front subby. How much do you value your life?

Yes, the front lower gearbox steady is definitely factory original from the very early 80's on. A Jet Black should definitely have one.