16 replies to this topic

[Pepys]

This is on the rear subframe on the bottom horizontal plate at the front on the drivers' side. 

 

Anyone repaired this before. The rest of the frame is excellent. (?)

 

 

 

Big Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

[sonikk4]

It's possible to repair that but you will need to make it look original.

[Pepys]

Cheers Neil. Does anyone recommend a repair panel, or are the Magnum ones the only around?

 

If I make my own, any ideas on the gauge of the metal?

 

https://www.minispor...te-rear-rh.html

[sonikk4]

If it's just the end sections then make your own. Just trying to remember the thickness and it was either 1.2mm or 1.5mm.

[finch661]

I've seen worse....

 

Edited by finch661, 01 June 2016 - 05:37 AM.

[spraybeater]

Please don't take this the wrong way! but used to be an N/T doing MOTs in the eighties and nineties

and if my memory serves me correctly Subframe repairs were frowned upon! we used to get notifications 

which had to be read and signed by all testers from VOSA !

Its something that I would not contemplate doing ,but if done properly it would probably stand up to

a Corrosion assessment tool, when I get back to UK I intend to check with a local MOT station one 

of the testers there is Mini friendly having been a workshop supervisor with a BL dealers back in 

the day

[dyshipfakta]

nah aslong as it is a good repair I don't think you will have issue. All the ones I looked at before and including the one I finally baught had plates on that part and all had mot

[giles_g]

As I've had an mot recently I feel I can add some input, rear subframe corroded was added as an advisory. At first I thought I'd either have to pay out and repair or move the car on.

I asked the garage for feedback, it was just surface rust thankfully I've been advised to get a wire brush to it and coat in under seal and will be good for 2-3 years so a decent result.

I know it's minor in comparison to the topic although relevant just thought I'd share my recent experience .

[JonnyAlpha]

This conversation crops up all the time, I was involved in one on the Mig Welding Forums, with responses saying yes you can no you cannot etc, in the end an MOT certified chap came on and agreed that all Mini Sub Frames are welded from new and as long as the repair is good then no worries.

 

Just make sure it is welded up nicely and painted - good as new

Edited by JonnyAlpha, 30 May 2016 - 06:40 PM.

[JonnyAlpha]

I made my own bottom skid plate panels using 1.2mm metal, 

[Pepys]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I had seen some of the other chats about repair or replace. I want to keep as much of my Mini as original, so I'll take a stab at repairing the frame, and get a welder mate to check it for safety.

 

If all goes well I'll get it shot blasted and paint it with a layer of epoxy mastic straight to the bare metal. Does that sound like a plan?

 

Thumbs up!

[robminibcy]

I wouldn't bother going to the effort of blasting and painting that subframe, by all means weld it up and keep it going for a few years but long term I would get a new heritage one and paint it with por15 and put plenty of waxoil or similar in all the cavities.

[JonnyAlpha]

I wouldn't bother going to the effort of blasting and painting that subframe, by all means weld it up and keep it going for a few years but long term I would get a new heritage one and paint it with por15 and put plenty of waxoil or similar in all the cavities.

 

Depends on the budget, a heritage subframe is about £420 v Repairing, Media blasting and painting?

 

Do the maths before you spend money on the old subframe, have a dig around with a wire brush and screwdriver.  

[sonikk4]

The flat areas on a subframe are very easy to replicate and can make look like the factory finish. The more complicated areas not so unless you are prepared to do a lot of work. So yes weigh up prices etc and what you are capable of doing.

[finch661]

my subframe was repaired before  i bought the car, big thick plate welded across the bottom part. It passed for 4 years after that, until i was driving along and suddenly heard a scraping noise! As the picture above shows, the whole underside on the passenger side fell apart. I bought a non-genuine powercoated subframe, which wasnt expensive.