4 replies to this topic

[TheJack]

So I have had a crash in my mini, some parts were bent but this was mostly on the impacted side (driver side). I have fitted all new parts that were bent and it has sorted out that side, but the problem now is the passenger side! Before I hit the other vehicle I went up a verge which was on the passenger side so i don't know if I have bent anything there. The wheel on the passenger side is further forward than the drivers side, from center of hub to center of hub (front to rear) the passenger side is 81" 1/4 and the driver side is 80"! So I have no idea what it could be, I did think subframe but everything seems to be okay with it.

 

Compared to other photos the passenger side lower arm seems bent? I might be wrong but compared to another mini mine doesn't seem right! The tie rod seems straight to me before I am asked that 

 

 

[Tamworthbay]

The lower arm looks fine, what does the tie rod at the front look like?

[Tupers]

The lower arm looks fine but if the bushes in it and the tie bar are perished the impact could have altered the geometry. 

 

It would take a lot of force to bend a bottom arm and I think it's more likely that the subframe or bottom arm pin would bend before the arm it's self. 

[Ben_O]

That bush does look old where the pin holds the arm to the subframe so i'm going with perished bushes and impact altering the geometry too.

 

Ben

[Spider]

Bhaha,,,, Our Mokes, especially the later ones were very coff coff errr, accurate from the factor. Mine is 10 mm shorter on the drivers side and my mates is 25 mm shorter on the passengers car. Only made about a month apart!  Our Minis were a tad better, but not by much.

 

Looking at you photo, there does appear to be an unusually large gap between the subframe and the body, hard to tell and I may well be wrong, but I'd probably have a closer look there to start off with. Also look to the other side to see if anything is out of whack there too.

 

The Subframes can and do get bent in prangs for sure, but you can sometimes tell if they are out of kilter by looking for 'waves' and 'wopps' in the larger areas of them. Sometimes they are really hard to pick.

 

I think in the FYQ Section? I saw a Transverse Dimension Diagram. If you have access to a reasonably flat area, a plumb bob and a jack, you can check your car stem to stern using that diagram. You will nee the jack to get the body dead level front to back, side to side before marking off all the points.

 

OK, I just looked in FAQ and it's not there. Maybe one of our mods could copy this over there?