11 replies to this topic

[binge]

Ok, A bit of a problem here.
Yesterday, I mounted the island on the way off a mini roundabout. My front wheel hit it at some speed and theres a serious problem I think...

My car is pulling to the right quite badly, and in reverse, Its all over the place...

To look at it, the wheel looks fairly straight, and so does all the stering rack and axle. But it obviously isnt because the car isnt driving correctly.

So any ideas on what it could be. Is it more than likely an axle or what?

Also, How expensive is it going to be to correct?

And if it is just the axle which is trashed. is it easy to fit a new one?


Thanks...

<|Ben|>

[Jammy]

Most probably a bent tie-rod, have a look under the arch to see if any of the rods are bent at all, even a little bit.

[Guess-Works.com]

check the tie rod, and also the bottom arm pivot in the subframe, that cam spring out under severe load.

Also the tracking only need to be a couple of dgrees out and you'll start gettin the shopping trolley effect

**edit** the axle or driveshaft are strong bits of kit, you'd know if that were bent

Edited by GuessWorks, 01 July 2005 - 10:12 AM.

[Jammy]

Either way, whatever got knocked out of line or got bent, replace it and you should have your tracking done again.

[MiniMoi]

The tie rods are the weakest link, that's what most likely got bend. Replace and like Jammy said get it tracked again. It will cost you your tires even if it drives straight again.

Arthur

[binge]

Well, Im in Leeds now. 250 miles away from my car. :tongue:

I had it up on the jack earlier though and I couldnt see anything severly bent. but obviously somthing is bent.

It drives "ok" forwards, but pulls and somthing rubs when I turn right.
in reverse, well. It it awful. VERY bad.

in the next week or 2, Does anybody local to Chatham fancy poping round to have a gander at it for me? Ill pay for your fuel or what not. Its just, I dont fancy paying £40 odd for a guy in a garage to say, "yea, its your axle".


<|Ben|>

[miniman5]

i would say the trackign has been smacked out of place, and you may have bent some thing, i would look under the side and i should thing its a bent tie rod likes been suggested

[binge]

Ok, so i guess the odds on it being a bent axle is slim then?

If thats the case, what else is there?

tie rod
bottom arm pivot in the subframe


How much will it be to replace these?


<|Ben|>

[Guess-Works.com]

tie rods are about 12 quid, bottom arm pins are similar, the bottom arm itself is unlikely to be damaged, but you may need some new bushes..

Basically it's not a vast amount..

[miniman5]

there isnt an axle on a mini. it shouldnt be to expensive to fix, unles youve bent teh subframe or some thing, like i said take some pictures when u get home and we will be able to tell u what to buy

[Jammy]

I would come round, but next Saturday I'm travelling upto Coventry to see the Miglia racer I've been talking to, then Brands Hatch on the Sunday, then the weekend after that is Drag Wars..Sorry.

[Leonard]

heres a bent tie rod for you! that should be straight! sounds like yours just knocked the tracking out. if youre not sure what everything should look like, check out the other side of the car! it the same but the other way round.

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