9 replies to this topic

[n00b]

hi TMFers, its been a while since iv been on so i decided to give you a bit of a query which im sure you clever nuts will be able to figure out in a split of the time it would for my brain to process the possibilities.

ok so my mini crabs, its something that has always annoyed me and quite frankly iv had enough of it and have started a project to reserect the original-ness (aka not crabbing)

So i got a long peice of string, measured the length from the corner of the rear to the front subframe for both left and right sides, to see if the subbies where alligned properly. to my suprise they were!

ok so something is either not sitting right or is bent! after closer inspection on the rear subby i have noticed . . The gap between the hub shock absorber stud to the lef of the subbie is (x) for the right hand side. and for the left, is (x / 2) lets say.

I hope you bright sparks might see where this is going. Rear radius arm replacement time? If someonce can elaberate on my idea, just to see if im on the right lines would be great. Thanks guys . . n girls of course

ERic

[Pauly]

Mini's give the illiusion that they crab, when really the dont, its because you can see the front wheels from the rear as the mini curves inwards from front to back.

Its more noticable with bigger, wider wheels.

Paul.

[n00b]

The gap between the hub shock absorber stud to the leg of the subbie is (x) for the right hand side. and for the left, is (x / 2) lets say.

thanks for the info pauly i will bear it in mind as others driving behind me have noticed the crab.

In theory, correct me if im wrong, the front wheels should be all square IF the tracking is alligned correctly, which has been set not too long ago.

So if one of the rear arms are bent could you get away with using a camber/toe out/in kit to re-align the rear wheels to the front?

[mrbridger]

One mini i used to own crabbed. It was down to the driverside radius arm having some lateral play.
This play was evident when you grabbed the wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and pushed and pulled it toward and away from the damper.
It didn't take much play to cause this problem and it won't do your tyres any favours.

[Guess-Works.com]

IF you've just been told it crabs, then as above, it probably does not.... the track at the rear is narrower than the front which is why 'to the untrained eye' all minis look like the crab.

If however, you've had your front tracking set and the steering wheel is pointed forwards when straight, crabbing will be evident by the steering wheel being nolonger central when travelling in a straight line.....

[Bungle]

is the tyre wear even ?

[Cooperman]

To do a simple check, all you need is a tape measure and a 7ft long wooden plank (or an aluminium ladder!).
You drive forward so that the front wheels are straight ahead. The put the plank against the rear wheel on one side and measure how far across the width of the front tyre the plank touches the front tyre tread.
Repeat for the other side. The dimensions should be the same. If they are not, then the rear wheels are out of line and the car will 'crab'.
Correcting the 'crabbing' is a more detailed topic, but post again if your measurements show that it is.

[n00b]

there seems to be more tyre wear on the drivers side than the other, from what i can remember. Im currently away from home til friday when i can post some pictures up of each side.

the tracking has been allgined on the front wheels not long ago, but the steering wheel is currently not set at centre according to the fronts.

i will take these measurements also to see if anything seems mishapen.

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[n00b]

cooperman thank you for your theory i will post my results asap when i am at home with the car

[sonikk4]

One mini i used to own crabbed. It was down to the driverside radius arm having some lateral play.
This play was evident when you grabbed the wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and pushed and pulled it toward and away from the damper.
It didn't take much play to cause this problem and it won't do your tyres any favours.

I would agree with mrbridger.

Many moons ago when my other half had her blue Mayfair something was amiss with the handling plus it appeared to be crabbing.

At the time i could not find anything wrong, tracking was checked, all bearings were checked, play in the ball joints etc but still crabbed plus handling was getting worse. By now i had had enough so decided to strip the rear swing arms down and lo and behold the drivers side was totally shot, both the roller bearing and plain bearing had worn away and the pin was eating its way through the arm. NOT GOOD!!

One new swing arm later no more crabbing and back to normal handling. Perfect!!

Edited by sonikk4, 01 December 2009 - 09:05 PM.