24 replies to this topic

[Hali]

Had a look at a 1997 Rover Mini cooper, first one I have had a look at as looking to get my first mini :)

 

General condition looked o.k went out for a test drive  but to turn the corners had to use 2 hands on one side and heave it over. Guy kept saying 'minis are all like that' 'like a gokart'.

 

I have had experience of no power steering and its never that heavy! Car has 13" wheels fitted just wondering could they be causing heavy steering?

[Alex_B]

How big was the steering wheel? The larger wheels will have an effect of making the steering heavier but so will a smaller than standard steering wheel, otherwise if there is too much castor in the suspension it will have the affect of increasing the weight of the steering whilst also causing it to self centre more actively. 

[Will16]

To be honest, I find my steering rather light, especially when driving at <20mph. I have two hands on the wheel, but don't need to heave by any means! The 13" wheels probably play a part in it. How wide were they? And how big was the steering wheel?

[Bubblebobble]

It could have just been at slow speed and the tyres need some air . Big 13" wheels do take there toll on the suapension as well if it has them .

[cal844]

To be honest, I find my steering rather light, especially when driving at <20mph. I have two hands on the wheel, but don't need to heave by any means! The 13" wheels probably play a part in it. How wide were they? And how big was the steering wheel?

+1

[mab01uk]

The Mini was never designed for 13" wheels and wide low profile 175 tyres but for 5.20x10" crossplies back in 1959........the Rover Sportpack with 6" rims gives heavy steering at parking speeds if you are used to modern cars with power steering. If you want lighter steering go for a Mini on 10" or 12" wheels with 145 or 165 tyres.

[Midas Mk1]

Im sorry, but having had a mini on 195' 13's for nearly two years, its not hard at all to turn, infact my fiesta was harder when it had lots of toe out (and it has power steering).

 

Id be getting the geo checked out, my guess is lots of toe on it.

Edited by Midas Mk1, 28 February 2015 - 11:17 PM.

[Sleepy Stu]

Yeah 13's are fine so something else is not right there!

[Hali]

Thanks for the advice, the wheels were pretty wide the guy had put sport pack arches on and they were just covering the wheels. Thought i would ask if it could be the wheels as was thinking I could change them for a diff size if i brought the car. but if we're thinking its something else then.... :/

[Raggedroy]

When I shattered my diff and had to limp home turning corners was nearly impossible.

[pdaykin]

In my experience, the wheels can make a big difference - While I am rebuilding I frequently change to 6" from 4.5" just while moving it from one place to another and the difference is noticeable.

If possible, could you try another car with similar sized wheels ?

[Fast Ivan]

your problem is that you have no point of reference really so it might be an idea to get someone else familiar with minis and their handling to have a look.  

[Hali]

Hopefully going to try out a 1979 Austin mini 1000 tomorrow with 10" wheels and try and start to build up some experience with diff minis. Unfortunately I dont know anyone with mini experience so I am just going to try and view as many as possible :)

[mab01uk]

The 13" wheels and wide tyres are the cause of heavy steering at parking speeds, with their wider 'footprint' area they are certainly not going to make the steering lighter!! They ruin the original Mini steering and handling feel and are also too heavy for the suspension and dampers/shock absorbers. Rover fitted stiffer dampers to Sportpack Mini's in an effort to improve things slightly. I have had Mini's with 10, 12 and 13" wheels over the years and switched back to 10's a couple of years back and the difference is clear, better handling, lighter steering and as the smaller tyres can generate more heat, often with better grip than 13's..

 

Wheels & tyres - Bigger wheel fitment consideration

By Keith Calver (Minispares Blog)

"The 13-inch wheel/tyre combination brings out the worst in everything Mini suspension and brakes orientated - but to many the aesthetics far out-weigh all other considerations. And there are many considerations. Those who believe they are fitting this combination for increased grip and handling capability on a road car need to think again. Most of the 13-inch tyres are manufactured for heavier cars. This means a harder tyre compound is used. A Mini simply doesn't get the tyre up to its proper operating temperature, so the increase in grip originally hoped for doesn't materialize or isn't maximised. Wayward handling (unless suitable suspension set-up has been applied), heavy wayward steering, and exaggerated bump-steer are further consequences. These are caused by the offsets employed, necessary to get suspension clearance. 13-inchers are generally wider than standard rims, so the wheels are made with the greater portion of the extra width applied to the outside of the wheel, effectively pushing the wheel further out away from the car. This causes a greater leverage to be applied to the already poor bump-steer geometry of the Mini. The wider tyre needs different geometry settings to ensure the full footprint is road-surface bound as the lower, stiffer side-wall does not distort as easily as the 10-inch tyre types. Excessive camber - positive or negative - will cause the tyre to loose contact with the road surface when cornering or with extreme steering in-puts. This then causes the tyre to follow any deviations in road surface. The offset dimensions employed can also mean wheel spacer shims are required in certain combinations to gain clearance, and even the steering rack may need replacing with the one used on the Sportpack cars - and these are definitely not cheap, costing in excess of £100. These have built in lock-stops to reduce the turning circle to prevent the tyre scrubbing the inside of the rear of the inner front arch. Again, the types and styles are legion, so doing a comprehensive and accurate whose needs what is impossible in a few pages. The increased footprint increases drag - responsible for reduced top speed, reduced acceleration, increased fuel consumption (all neatly illustrated by the difference in performance figures between the Sportpack cars and the 12-inch shod variants, the 13-inchers suffering 6mph slower top speed and 0.6 seconds slower 0-60 with less mpg). This larger footprint-induced grip/drag increase will help with braking, but only if the brakes are equal to the task. The wheel diameter also gives a greater ('longer') leverage working against the brakes. The combined larger footprint and greater leverage means fitting 13-inchers to a drum-braked Mini is an absolute no-no. They simply over-come the applied friction capability of the shoes. Disc brakes are a must. Even the 7.5-inch S type discs are a little marginal in my opinion/experience unless steps are taken to maximise their performance envelope. The 13-inch combination is a good deal heavier in most instances than the standard set-up so up-rated dampers are an absolute must. Having considered, dismissed or navigated round the aforementioned problems and are still serious about fitting 13-inchers, one thing is certain - body surgery will be necessary."

http://www.calverst....-consideration/

Edited by mab01uk, 09 October 2017 - 07:37 PM.

[Fast Ivan]

must be someone on here from your way, put a shout out

are their no local clubs?