20 replies to this topic

[smartie93]

Have a look at the lower arm pin, one those bushes look ready for replacement, and two the pin doesn't look straight (no i don't mean the kink), The pin itself could be bent though unlikely, like tiger99 said I'd check for subframe damage around there

[tiger99]

I have had a second close look and agree that the steering arm is bent. Don't take a chance on straightening it, get a new one. Fairly easy to replace while you are doing the rack, only two extra bolts.

[andylep]

well im popping up min its my local parts place : new rack, tie rods and steering arm. should i be changing both steering arms ?

i have booked it into cols mini centre by me due to the fact my oldman is working solidly this week and col is a very good mini garage and enthusiast.

[J666ERA]

Definitely steering arm, daughter does one like that at least a month, Ministox racing, I would recomend fitting new bolts when you refit the new one, on impact it usually stretches the bolts and even bends them slightly, and whenyou go to undo them they are loose, not worth the risk of it letting go in future.

Fit arm do tracking correctly, its worth having the floor knocking down again and then scrape off loose under seal inside and out and waxoyl again or water will work its way in and rot it out quickly.

Paul

[tiger99]

I agree, definitely new bolts, and when it is all running and seems to be ok, take it for a full alignment check, front and rear, just to ensure that all is well. It will not cost all that much, and will pay for itself in reduced tyre wear anyway. The opposite side arm is unlikely to be bent.

I have never actually bent a steering arm myself, not on a Mini anyway, but I have seen more than a few. About a third of my driving mileage, over 45 years, has been in Minis, often driven flat out, and I put the lack of damage down to the fact that, except as in this case on sudden encounters with ice, they handle so well that frontal impacts are easy to avoid. (I have driven on snow a lot, and because you know you are on snow you drive accordingly, but a sudden encounter with a patch of ice, or for that matter, spilled diesel fuel, on an otherwise normal road, will catch anyone out.) It didn't stop about 8 idiots colliding with me and doing damage however, 4 while parked, and twice rammed in the back while stationary. Some things you just can't do much about. The one frontal impact was caused by someone stopping too late at a junction, and sticking his nose out in front of me, with a car coming the other way, so no room for evasive action, but that only smashed the headlight and pushed it well back into the front wing.

[andylep]

Well got the car back today. drives a treat, even compared to before the bump steerings a lot firmer more feel to it.
turns out it was the steering rack and track rod, everything was still changed while it was in though
Happy