12 replies to this topic

[Evercloud]

Hey there,

 

I kindly need your advice.
I recently bought my Mini Cooper SPI and it has a cracked front subframe...
The previous owner gave me a spare subframe but, to closer inspection, it turned out it has been badly repaired, so now I have to figure out if finding another intact subframe or repair the original one.
My question is: is this crack a common issue, making a well repaired (maybe strengthened) subframe preferable or it is uncommon, making an intact subframe the best choice?

By the way, the engine has been rebuilt a couple of years ago so I will not be replacing the clutch but I would appreciate any suggestions on what to do as the engine has been lowered
 

the crack:

 

 

current situation, with a circle showing the crack position:

Edited by Evercloud, 21 April 2022 - 05:20 PM.

[nicklouse]

Common place for them to go if the top steady is not looked after.

 

it is fixable but I would check local regs because to do it right it will be noticeable to anyone looking.

[sonikk4]

Due to your location and probably not able to access another decent subframe I would look at welding that. It looks fairly clean so should weld up well.

I have welded these before in similar locations and had no issues with them after. Welded from both sides, fully knocked back flush then painted.

[Evercloud]

Common place for them to go if the top steady is not looked after.

 

it is fixable but I would check local regs because to do it right it will be noticeable to anyone looking.

Thank you for your answer! With "local regs" you mean somebody who does this on a regular basis?
Can you please tell me something more about the top steady? I am going to replace engine mounts and many bushes but I totally forgot this part.... would you mind pointing me toward the right spare codes?
I am attaching a picture, if you can
*edit: I forgot to say it is a LHD mini as I am in Italy*

 

 

 

Due to your location and probably not able to access another decent subframe I would look at welding that. It looks fairly clean so should weld up well.

I have welded these before in similar locations and had no issues with them after. Welded from both sides, fully knocked back flush then painted.

Thanks for your answer to you too! 
Ok!! As you both agree on that, I will go for the repair. I love the idea of keeping the original part.  

Edited by Evercloud, 22 April 2022 - 08:45 AM.

[mab01uk]

Local Regs usually means what does the Italian equivalent of the annual UK 'MOT Test' require or allow as a safe/approved repair. Regs may vary from different countries.

 

Minispares

Engine | Stabilisers mounts | Stabilisers:-

http://www.minispare...ers.aspx?100201

Edited by mab01uk, 22 April 2022 - 09:21 AM.

[Evercloud]

Local Regs usually means what does the Italian equivalent of the annual UK 'MOT Test' require or allow as a safe/approved repair. Regs may vary from different countries.

 

Minispares

Engine | Stabilisers mounts | Stabilisers:-

http://www.minispare...ers.aspx?100201

Ohh, I see. That makes perfect sense. Ok, I'll look into it, thanks.
About the engine stabilisers, I am ordering the steady bar bushes toghether with all the engine and subframe bushes and mounts, but thanks to you I am now considering an engine stabilitzer like MSSK1302 too.
I will keep you updated! In the meantime many thanks to all of you.
 

[R32Egor]

Wow - I have an SPI mini I purchased in Italy (Venice area) and the subframe has been repaired in exactly the same place (before I purchased it) maybe its a LHD thing as well.

I have a knock whenever I engage the clutch but have been unable to locate the problem as of yet - the top and bottom stabilisers look ok - going to get a gopro setup to see whats moving.

 

Anyway it looks like welding it up is no big deal in Italy and it also passed the safety inspection here in Austria.

[Evercloud]

Wow - I have an SPI mini I purchased in Italy (Venice area) and the subframe has been repaired in exactly the same place (before I purchased it) maybe its a LHD thing as well.

I have a knock whenever I engage the clutch but have been unable to locate the problem as of yet - the top and bottom stabilisers look ok - going to get a gopro setup to see whats moving.

 

Anyway it looks like welding it up is no big deal in Italy and it also passed the safety inspection here in Austria.

Hey, thank you for sharing your experience. How did you know it was repaired?

I collected the subframe yesterday and I am happy with the result, it will take a little bit of polish and paint but it's ok, then I think no external inspection will be able to say it is repaired.



Internally it is a whole different story as I asked the guy to put a metal plate to strengthen it... it is a bit ugly but I want it to never break again. Feel free to give a feedback

 

[nicklouse]

Wow - I have an SPI mini I purchased in Italy (Venice area) and the subframe has been repaired in exactly the same place (before I purchased it) maybe its a LHD thing as well.

I have a knock whenever I engage the clutch but have been unable to locate the problem as of yet - the top and bottom stabilisers look ok - going to get a gopro setup to see whats moving.

 

Anyway it looks like welding it up is no big deal in Italy and it also passed the safety inspection here in Austria.

Not a LHD thing it is a thing with that lower mount when the upper mount is not looked after.

[brivinci]

Yes, very common. As Nick said, usually caused by a bad upper stabilizer. I noticed a small crack forming on my subframe at the lower stabilizer bracket. I checked my upper and it looked perfect, and the bushes were newer. I had to REALLY get int there and noticed that the upper stabilizer bracket had sheared right at the bend and you would not noticed it by just looking. I had to stick my head in there with a good light and rock my engine to see. I batched up the subframe and bolted in a super heavy duty, SS bracket sold here in the US for just this issue. This saved me from having to weld the firewall and is extremely robust. I had the engine out while installing it as well. Nothing easy about it as its all a tight fit with a Mini

Edited by brivinci, 27 April 2022 - 08:08 PM.

[Evercloud]

Yes, very common. As Nick said, usually caused by a bad upper stabilizer. I noticed a small crack forming on my subframe at the lower stabilizer bracket. I checked my upper and it looked perfect, and the bushes were newer. I had to REALLY get int there and noticed that the upper stabilizer bracket had sheared right at the bend and you would not noticed it by just looking. I had to stick my head in there with a good light and rock my engine to see. I batched up the subframe and bolted in a super heavy duty, SS bracket sold here in the US for just this issue. This saved me from having to weld the firewall and is extremely robust. I had the engine out while installing it as well. Nothing easy about it as its all a tight fit with a Mini

very interesting! May I ask you to post a picture of this solution? That would surely help us too! :)

[brivinci]

Here is the bracket. I fabbed up a plate with captured nuts to both ease in installation and help spread the load a bit. Powdered coated it black keep it low key. I’ll try and find pix of it installed.

Attached Files

•  A0D74C2E-6E48-439B-B374-E00C18D1B3EF.jpeg   34.84K   1 downloads
•  6AC751C0-8162-4768-9998-C883BBBA03D7.jpeg   52.59K   1 downloads

Edited by brivinci, 28 April 2022 - 02:10 AM.

[R32Egor]

HI,

 

I can see the place it has been welded as I can see the weld - Obviously the job was not as good as yours