i skidded on a roundabout and hit a kerb a while ago, doing 15mph at the most when it hit. After getting the tracking done and changing the track rod ends the car still feels wrong, so starting to think i have damaged the front subframe as the o/s wheel doesnt sit right in the arch and has negative camber, when the n/s has slight positive.
noticed before that where the front subframe mounts are there is a gap between that and the front valance, is that normal? and if so how likely is it i buckled my front subframe or does it just need losening off and relocating?
Maybe more than just subby damage… First move - check/renew the subby mounts and see if that helps - but also URGENTLY inspect the subby carefully in case it has cracked and/or the tie-bar is ripping away from the front of the subby!
> Maybe more than just subby damage… First move - check/renew the subby mounts and see if that helps - but also URGENTLY inspect the subby carefully in case it has cracked and/or the tie-bar is ripping away from the front of the subby!
i cant see any cracks, i have my mot soon and mounts have been ordered, how difficult a job is it to replace these mounts? would it make more sense to replace the subframe while im doing it?
the engine doesnt move and the tie bar is still solid and in place.
If you’ve got negative camber one side and positive the other, something has to be bent. It is, bluntly, unroadworthy in that state. The implications of having to make an emergency stop don’t bear thinking about.
> If you’ve got negative camber one side and positive the other, something has to be bent. It is, bluntly, unroadworthy in that state. The implications of having to make an emergency stop don’t bear thinking about.
Or a quickly have to steer out the way of something!!!
> > off the road she comes. thanks for the advice.
I don’t want to cause a problem, but just want you to be safe. Best to check it out carefully just in case.
> Bent tie rods?
That is a common problem and worth looking at, but it isn’t likely to dramatically affect the camber.
i know your not mate.
hope its something that i can fix though and knock hasnt dont damage to any subframe mounts.
planning on finding a new/second hand subframe depending on funds and fitting that with poly mounts.
how does the front of the front subframe join the car? it looks alot like mine isnt actualy attached, there is alot of play there and when the car is jacked up you can actually move the subframe with the hub.
the subframe its self looks straight and has no cracks, and if the front mounts are loose then that would cause hte wheels to sit wrong as the subframe isnt sitting how it should be?
theres two holes in the front valance, fairly big ones, the mounts are on the other side of this, if you look down the front, you should be able to see them where the corner, where the inner wing meets the front panel is. Theres also oneson the floor as well.
> theres two holes in the front valance, fairly big ones, the mounts are on the other side of this, if you look down the front, you should be able to see them where the corner, where the inner wing meets the front panel is. Theres also oneson the floor as well.
is there meant to be play between the front mounts nad the body work though?
> a little if their standard rubber mounts, but not too much.
thanks, after looking around, im gonna solid mount my front subframe and replace the front tear drop mounts, tie rods and bottom arms and go from there.
> solid mounting was the best thing ive done to my mini, feels so much tighter, responsive and precise.
i have seen a guide and it doesnt look like too difficult a job either.
did you get hte minisport kit?
