10 replies to this topic

[dennismini93]

my mini was in a little shunt the other day and i just wondered if it was repairable. the front end is smashed but i need a new one anyway so im not bothered about that but where id just painted the floors it looks like there is a line around the subframe mount, also the passenger door appears to have less of a gap around it. i know i can aesthetically fix it but if the shell is bent is it worth it. there is no visible twist so how could i go about finding out how bad it is and is it possible to straighten? 

[Carlos W]

Firstly, get some pics up!

There are a couple of threads on the measurements from set points on the shell which will allow you to see if yours is straight.

I'm on my phone so can't easily look them up!

[dennismini93]

Firstly, get some pics up!

There are a couple of threads on the measurements from set points on the shell which will allow you to see if yours is straight.

I'm on my phone so can't easily look them up!

i cant get pics as my phone has broken i'll try and find the measurements tho :)

[Carlos W]

Putting the steering wheel straight and measuring to the centre of the wheels on each side wouldn't be a bad place to start!

Minis were known for not being perfect out the factory though!

[dennismini93]

Putting the steering wheel straight and measuring to the centre of the wheels on each side wouldn't be a bad place to start!

Minis were known for not being perfect out the factory though!

luckily i did that before the accident so i know what it was haha.

it was almost as head on as you can get though so all the force went straight back and just slightly more on the left. i could measure it against my other mini though i guess. 

could i do top and bottom of the windscreen at diagonals and front to back, then door pillar to opposite corner etc etc?

[Carlos W]

The more the better really, you may have moved the A Post, or the A panel has been pushed onto the door closing the gap!

You need to check the subframe to see if its damaged and assess the toe board.

These problems are likely to be fixable with measuring and fettling

[dennismini93]

i think the mounts have bulged but the problem is its very slight so its a kind of hidden issue. i know even a tiny bit of movement is bad but the problem is the naked eye cant really see it haha

[Carlos W]

I wonder if you could straighten the toe board, then add reinforcement as advised for solid subframe mounts??

[Broomer]

You definately need to reinforce the subframe mounts post straightening. I didn't bother and the toe board constantly popped in and out eventually cracking the mount.

[dennismini93]

yes i should do that. i'll see if its straight compared to my other car (never going to be 100% i know but better than nothing) and go from there.

 

advice is always very helpful tho :) 

Edited by dennismini93, 22 March 2014 - 09:40 AM.

[dennismini93]

phones just about ok now. will sort something out soonish