23 replies to this topic

[tomgale]

hi all, the mini is in need of an MOT and has a nasty crack where the bottom flange of one of the front-back members meets the heel board beam. I went to the local garage where (apart from being rude about the mini, thus ensuring I'm not getting it MOT'd there anyway) they said there was no point in welding it up, since a welded subframe is an MOT fail regardless. Is this right? seems a little drastic, since theyre welded together in the first place... am I being messed with?

 

tom

[robminibcy]

yes you are being messed with! a welded (properly) sub frame is no reason to fail a mini. its no different to welding a land rover ect chassis.

[tomgale]

figured as much, still got to drop the frame to fix it though  . Just bled the brakes too

[Spider]

I'm not familiar with your local laws and MOT, but they can be welded no problem, I've repaired and modified many subframes, all by welding.

 

The maybe a law regarding the welding of Chassis (like much older cars and truck still have) as in particular in later years, these were made from alloy steels and while can sill be welded, require special techniques (this is the case here in Aust). Whether this applies (or some places think it applies) to Subframes maybe another question.

 

Mind you, any welding done incorrectly can be dangerous.

Edited by Moke Spider, 11 August 2015 - 08:14 PM.

[mab01uk]

When Mini's were common as everyday cars it was standard practice to plate and weld rear subframes which were not to far gone and where the value and remaining lifespan of the car did not warrant the cost of a full subframe replacement. If done properly a welded repair is still useful if only to postpone full replacement to a more convenient time or give time to save up for a new one!

[peter-b]

If welded sub frames is a MOT failure then all Mini's fail......they're all welded together.
Maybe they're confusing welded sub frame with welded chassis's. If you had a car with a chassis, say a Toyota hilux for example, and the chassis cracked or rusted through, you couldn't 'just' weld it, it would need to be certified by engineer. That's here in Aus at least.

[jagman.2003]

The advice I was given by an MOT tester was that subframes should not be repaired by welding.

I presume this was due to potential inferior welding by some less reliable sources.

But I was also advised that if a very good weld was done & was of original quality or finished so as to be invisible then this would be acceptable.

There are rear subframe repair panels available which I'm sure could be used if the welding was of a good standard.

Edited by jagman.2003, 12 August 2015 - 07:59 AM.

[tomgale]

I'm in the process of taking the subframe off to have a look at it (though I can't get the petrol tank off because of the monza cap fitting ) so once it's off I'll put a picture up and see what people recommend

[finch661]

when i first bought my mini (9 years ago), i discovered a plate had been welded across a crack (on the bottom) and it passed every MOT (well it passed on that anyway)  right up until this happened....

 

Try another tester! 

[dyshipfakta]

Yeah I wouldn't trust someone else's welded subframe. My own is a different story

[finch661]

Yeah I wouldn't trust someone else's welded subframe. My own is a different story

haha definitely.after the other bodges i found when rebuilding my mini, I'm lucky it lasted that long

[tomgale]

oof, that looks nasty, havent got mine off just yet, rounded off bolts 

[finch661]

oof, that looks nasty, havent got mine off just yet, rounded off bolts 

yup been there when i had to remove the subframe (about 5 years ago). Ended up finding rot in the heelboard as well When rebuilding, use plenty of copper grease. I removed my subframe a few months ago and it came off really easily thanks to the copper grease!

[jpw1275]

I heard recently that you couldn't repair subframes now for the mot

Cheers james

[Cooperman]

If the welding has been done properly and to a good standard how would a tester know? If the sub-frame has just had repair bits tack-welded on then it should & will fail an MoT.