18 replies to this topic

[elpedro]

Ola everyone

I got a mpi cooper sport cheap as a project it was in a front end crash pritty solid car very clean.. after further inspection subframes straight and unbent but seems to have pushed oneside of the bulk head back on drivers side about 2" / 3" will it be safe to attempt to push back into shape? Ill try upload photos tomorrow when i take the dash out

[Captain Mainwaring]

Did it push the crossmember where the subframe bolts on back, or just the lower portion where the footwells are?

 

I suppose like anything if you are prepared to put enough time into it you can make it lovely again.

[firstforward]

You will not be able to push it back into shape but maybe pull it back with a dozer. Really it needs to be inspected by somebody that knows to give best advice, just do it right without cutting corners.

[Alex_B]

I was in an accident in November in mine, front end impact on the drivers side, pushed my floor in about 10mm and top bulkhead in by about 5mm, using a porta power hydraulic ram i managed to get it straight again but it may not be possible in the same way with 2 or 3" of movement, i would get measuring accurately and find out what's moved by exactly how much and post it on here, so measure top and bottom dash rails, the bulkhead between rails, floor, door gaps, wheel base on both sides and take some pictures :)

[elpedro]

Well its pushed in where the fresh air vents are akl the dl
DOors line up right close propely havent seen the floor pans yet further inspection today i would have said at most its moved about 1.5" towards driver but looks like the engine took the hit becaust its bent the top engine stedy

[midridge2]

With any front end accident damage on a mini it would be best to leave the subframe in with/without the engine and use this as a datum
point when you push/pull the front, you can if pulling use the subframe to pull from, depending on what equipment you have eg body dozer or porta power and what experiance you have you could use either.

[bmcecosse]

Years ago I pushed something like that out very successfully.  Just take your time and 'weaken' any folds as you go.  A subby with rubber mounts will be useless as a datum (or for pulling/pushing)  - take it out - and just compare side to side measurements till you get it square - then compare diagonals. 

Edited by bmcecosse, 27 July 2013 - 10:43 AM.

[midridge2]

Roy is correct, i should have said remove the rear bottom mounts and either add solid mounts or pack with washer the same thickness as the rubber if you are pulling the front. 

[Shifty]

2 or 3 inches is quite a bit to be pushed back!!

 

Do the doors still open, are there any dents in the roof?

[elpedro]

No dints doors are fine it already has solid mounts top and lower had a bit of a play around today and seemed to have gotten it very close to being true just needs a new skuttle to be precise

[Cooperman]

Before trying to use the sub-frame as the datum, make sure the sub-frame is not bent or distorted.
Ideally you should strip the entire front end out & put the body in a body alignment jig. Failure to do this will mean that you cannot be sure the geometry is correct.

[midridge2]

Before trying to use the sub-frame as the datum, make sure the sub-frame is not bent or distorted.
Ideally you should strip the entire front end out & put the body in a body alignment jig. Failure to do this will mean that you cannot be sure the geometry is correct.

I did not mention about checking the subframe as common sense tells you that you cannot align it up with a bent subframe.
Regards putting it on a body jig, if you measure up as you repair it it will all line up without a jig.

[firstforward]

Before trying to use the sub-frame as the datum, make sure the sub-frame is not bent or distorted.
Ideally you should strip the entire front end out & put the body in a body alignment jig. Failure to do this will mean that you cannot be sure the geometry is correct.

+1

[elpedro]

Had the car jigged its all straight now awaiting for panels coming now next question is got the car started but constantly revs hi around 3k... it has no airfilter on but placed my hand over the throttle body and still no drop in revs anyone know what this could be?

[Captain Mainwaring]

TPS, vacuum pipes etc?

Make sure everything is in place after the bang and the repair work