6 replies to this topic

[Elwyn]

Hello

93 L reg SPI Cooper

I’ve removed the rear wheels, drums, shock absorbers, radius arms, cones, trumpets etc

I’m left looking at the exposed subframe

I’ve had a wire brush and a wire brush drill bit attachment over the faces and planes of the subframe I can get to

There was and still is some rust
As expected
I can keep rubbing away

Getting to the point....
The top edge of the subframe appears worst
Delamination is evident
There’s only so much of it I can get to

Question....
With so much of the subframe inaccessible to get a wire brush to, and with delamination visible, what’s best?

Rub down what I can, cover it all with under seal and hope for the best?

Take the subframe off, get access to all parts / faces etc, rub scrub brush and reassess?

Accept defeat from what I’ve already seen, but a new one and put everything back together with peace of mind assured?

I don’t know where the tipping point is in terms of acceptable surface corrosion / how to judge if it’s already gone too far

Thanks in advance

[nicklouse]

Take it off then you can see if it is actually worth saving or replacing.

[Elwyn]

Yes, makes sense
Cold and wet, here I come
Again

[nicklouse]

Yes, makes sense
Cold and wet, here I come
Again

Bit before you do get some Plus gas on the bolts.

[Elwyn]

Plus gas ordered. Arrives tomorrow.

Any thoughts on after market Vs heritage parts subframe?
One is £200
One is £400+

[FlyingScot]

Plus gas ordered. Arrives tomorrow.

Any thoughts on after market Vs heritage parts subframe?
One is £200
One is £400+

Either is better than a rotten one to be honest....

I have used both and in the “old days” some of the pattern ones were not so good (fewer welds particularly). Today they look pretty decent.

For the amount of effort in replacement and the fact that it’s critical for safety I would buy a heritage one.

You pays your money and makes your choice - personally I wouldn’t today bother repairing one.

 

FS

[MiniMadRacer]

I agree with Flying above// this is a job probably done once in a life time per Mini (esp now they are no longer daily drivers doing 50,000 plus miles a year), so I would fit a genuine one. Sure its £200 more but should be a perfect / better fit etc and should be better quality.. if we were replacing subframes every two years or so I would have a different opinion of course..