8 replies to this topic

[jsr1st]

Hi,
The near side rear wheel on my Mini seems to be too far back compared to the off side which is centred in the arch.

It has recently got progressively worse, and seems to be affecting the handling. The wheel position also seems to keep moving - sometimes it almost touches the rear side of the arch, and sometimes doesn't seem that close.

I think it may be the radius arm bushes or the rubber cones, but am not sure so any advice is welcome! I am going to jack it up and have the wheels off tomorrow, so may post some images to assist with diagnosis.

The car is a 1988 Mini City 1000 converted to cooper 1275 and has 13x7 superlights.
I am a novice to the mini game, and would like to carry out as much of the work myself.

Thanks!!

[62S]

Unlikely to be the rubber cone. It could be the radius arms bushes or maybe the hole in the subframe where the radius arm pin goes through has become elongated

[Dan]

Jack the car up, leave the wheel on and grab hold of it. Push and pull the wheel and try to generally move it in and out from the car, or to twist it (not turn it obviously, it's meant to do that but try to twist it about the arm). If it moves at all, even slightly then as said above either the radius arm pivot or the subframe radius arm mounting is worn out.

[jsr1st]

I've jacked it up and tried to see if the wheel moves - which it doesn't without the whole car moving on its axle stands.

On closer inspection, everything seems quite solid (as it was rebuilt a few years ago now) but the shock absorber bushes seem worn and also, I think the shock might be shot, as there is scrubbing marks on the tyre which is being caused by the top of the wheel arch, even though there are several centimetres between the tyre and the original arch when standing. I had noticed when cornering sometimes with 2 people in the car there was scraping, but never could see where it was coming from. It only happens on the near side (even when the car is full of people) so the shock must be shot and allowing too much travel. My question is would that cause the wheel to go out of line so much?

I have attached a picture of the offending wheel to show what I mean.

Attached Files

•  IMGP2178.JPG   218.75K   21 downloads

[Udo]

To me that looks like your wheel is in the correct place in relation to the bodywork - its your arch which isn't in the right place

[Ethel]

To me that looks like your wheel is in the correct place in relation to the bodywork - its your arch which isn't in the right place

I'd agree with that, the shocker looks to be vertical as it should and the inner contour of the arch looks to be equally spaced round the tyre.

[Asphalt]

What is the distance bewteen the frame and the tiyre on both sides of the car?
Does it alter and is it different (to a bigger extend)?

Rubber cone and shocks have nothing to do with your problem.

And just for info:
This had NO noticable play anywere!
Just could not fit wheels with smaler offset at one side...

 schwingen_kaputt.jpg   73.06K   12 downloads

So I'd realy carfeull check anything!
Espacially 'because you said handling got worse...

[In-a-mini]

Yeah as asphalt says check the radious arm bushes very carfuly. i can see exactly what the other guys say about your inner arch looks fine to me too but your outer arch is off. It looks like yo have after market arches that do not have the section that goes from inner tothe outer lip are they fibreglassones or modified plastic ones because if they are plastic they may have gone out of shaple a little causing it to look wierd or may have been fitted badly the gap to the rear panel lip does look a little larger than normal?.
you can and should ideally uprate your shocks from standard because of the extra un sprung weight thank standard narower wheels (good idea on all sportpack and modded cars).
as previously stated also this will not affect height though that it set by the cones it will however stop sharpe bumps forcing the wheel up quick but if you park on a curb it will still settle on the inner arce. I run my wheels closer with standard inner arches "at the moment".

[jsr1st]

I'll need to get the wheels off to measure properly.

The wheel arches look to be fiberglass copies, and it does look like the near side arch has mishapen. I am slightly worried by the suspension still, and the shock is definitely blown, there looks to be a leak and i think this may be causing the handling problem. The shocks have already been uprated, not sure what make, but I want to replace them all now - what would people suggest are good replacements? I don't want to spend loads and was thinking about these on Mini spares: http://www.minispare....aspx?pid=33420

I'll have to have some play time next weekend now as will be too busy - will order some shocks anyway and strip it down and see whats what.

Thanks for all the advice so far...