6 replies to this topic

[dillen86]

Hi there I'm after some help and advice with my 1999 mpi.

When I bought my mini, she was an unloved poor soul which had been sat up for a while. I got her going but was aware that 3 of the 4 donuts had collapsed. So I replaced all 4 with original parts as well as the knuckles, shock absorbers, tie bars and bushes (one was bent) and Hi-lo's were fitted at the same time. This did improve the ride dramatically.

However, the car is wandering all over the road now and pulling to the right. The tracking has been checked and is fine however the drivers side front wheel sits closer to the front of the arch than the back. I thought replacing the bent tie bar would resolve this but it didnt.

The best way I can describe it is that it feels articulated and is wagging its tail. We also have the issue that it pulls to the right under hard acceleration but throws itself to the left whe I lift off without moving the steering wheel.

Any ideas about how to solve this would be great

Cheers Iain :)

[Moggyton]

Start with something simple, tyre pressure?

[brettpr]

do you know much of the history of the car i.e any shunts ?

[petey81]

bent radius arms causing it to crab?

[iwatkins]

Sounds like crabbing but the wheel alignment should have picked this up depending on the gear used.

[Captain Mainwaring]

My old cooper had been used for dropping a small yacht trailer and the rear subframe support panel had rotted out - it felt like driving an elastic band.

[Cooperman]

You need to check/set the front & rear suspension as follows:

 

Front:   Toe-in 1 mm, camber zero to o.75 degrees negative, caster 2.75 degrees to 3.5 degrees.

 

Rear:    Camber zero to 0.5 degrees negative, Toe-in 1 mm to 2 mm

 

Also check front-to rear alignment and correct any 'crabbing' as required.

To adjust the front caster adjustable length tie bars are necessary. To do small front camber adjustments there are offset lower arm bushes available.

To adjust the rear, if necessary, come back on here.