16 replies to this topic

[rossul.burn]

I just dropped my front subframe and I have two questions about it.

 

 

What could cause it to crack like this?

Is my only option to replace it?

 

 

[nicklouse]

yep that is what can happen with the front facing lower mount.

 

i would replace.

[rossul.burn]

yep that is what can happen with the front facing lower mount.

 

i would replace.

So is it a design flaw from the factory? I only had the car 18 months and havent really used it so was worrying that might have been in a bump

 

Thanks I thought was much, typical the rest of the frame is in okay condition

[Ethel]

That's amazingly neat.

I imagine something has put a notch in edge of the cross member and the welded in bracket has concentrated the forces as a crack has propagated right round. Don't see why it can't be welded up, there's also room to plate over a reinforcement. I know front frames used to be 2 a penny, but are any minibits now?

[Homersimpson]

A friend of mine works on Minis professionally and I recall him doing quite a few of these, I think its quite common.

 

I would see if you can get a replacement, if not then welding it might work but you would need to plate it to give added strength or it will just break in the same place again (IMHO).  Personally I would see repair as a last resort.

[GraemeC]

Personally I would weld that up then bend a plate to match the shape and cover all three faces and about 3-4” wide. Good strong weld, maybe even with a couple of 1/2” holes in it to get a weld nearer the joint.
Then don’t use the lower steady, just the normal one by the master cylinders and maybe a DSN one off the thermostat.

[Ethel]

Some more piccies would be interesting to see how it relates to the bracket on the inside. It does seem odd that there's not obvious distortion suggesting it let go all at the same time. Rust in the seam?

 

I'd be wary of welding on plate to solidly or you may just move the stress riser along. Maybe plate to end as it's so near and 2 or 3 plugs to the other side, round means no sharp transitions for stress risers. Some people turn that cross-member in to Swiss cheese, apparently without causing similar failures.

[GraemeC]

That’s why I said to leave the steady off - it’s that that causes the stress, otherwise the member just ties the two sides of the frame together.

[pete l]

looks like it's been sliced with a grinder !

[nicklouse]

i am wondering if it has been rewelded at some time.

[Bat]

Hi,

What bushes have been used in both steadies?

Cheers 

[Tupers]

The car has probably ran with knackered engine mounts for an extended period of time that has put excess strain on the front steady which has in tern stress the weld and cussed it to crack.

If you’re a good welder then weld it back together and add a gusset as GraemeC suggested. If you’ve not done much welding then you’re best off getting a replacement.

[viz139]

I have seen a few of these and you usually find the front teardrops are gone aswell. I have also seen a few welded and never seen one rebreak, sometimes a weld is stronger than the original. As you have it out of the car I would weld it unless you have access to another.

[rossul.burn]

Thank you for all the replies, as mentioned I do not know a lot of the history of the car or when this has happened.

 

I have attached a few more pictures for you curious folk out there. I have budgeted for a new front subframe in my spend so I will just go with that, might be belts and braces but should i reinforce the new one prior to installing it?

 

 

 

[nicklouse]

an interesting image would be one looking at the weld from the "inside".