3 replies to this topic

[John Clayton]

During a very rough Autocross event (hard packed bumpy dirt course) the rear nearside wheel collapsed up into the wheel arch. It turned out that the L-Shaped bracket that bolts onto the beam axle (to anchor the Trailing Arms' Pivot spindle at its 'inboard' end) had fatigued through. In the photos, look for the light silver bracket with 4 bolts in it.

One of the other competitors kindly welded it up for us and it appears to have been OK since, but I'm concerned that it might break again (or the other side might snap).

I should add that the Autocross was SO rough (particularly for a Mini with limited suspension travel compared to modern cars) that the exhaust mounting (and subsequent bodge repairs with wire etc.) kept snapping during the weekend so we decided to stick to smoother events in future e.g. grass fields and old airfields (the potholes can be nasty though).

Anyone experienced anything similar (or got any ideas on how to beef up the brackets -or source stronger brackets).

Attached Files

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•  Mini_100_0927.JPG   36.45K   48 downloads

Edited by John Clayton, 27 March 2011 - 03:28 PM.

[MRA]

Ok you actually have a beam frame which is nothing like a beam axle.

The brackets are quite often not strong enough to actually maintain any reliability on very rough ground, personnally the frames that I have seen over the years are far too weak to be allowed on a car at all, however until we get clearer laws people will proceed to manufacture parts that are neither designed nor manufactured with safety in mind.

The first thing to do with yours is to remove it and reweld all the original welds, get it welded by someone who can weld properely and do NOT grind the welds down as this weakens them.

[Cooperman]

John,

You really would be better to fit a strengthened standard rear sub-frame for rallying. The ordinary sub-frame strengthens up the entire back end of the car and provides a strong support structure for the rear rad. arms.

Peter

[MRA]

That of course is the better option