15 replies to this topic

[m_brady15]

Hello everyone,

I have just fitted 13x7 deep dish minilights to my mini. I measured the width of the fronts wheels from the outer edge of each wheel and it came to 58inchs. Did the same to the rear and it come to 57inches.

Does it matter that the rears aren’t as wide as the fronts? And also why is this?

Would you recommend that I fit spacers on the rear to widen it all or just leave it the way it is?

Many thanks

Miles

[Cerberus]

As standard the track of the fronts is wider than the rears anyway.

[analogue_radio]

That's why when you follow a mini it looks like its crabbing to one side! The front is just wider than the rear.

[mk3 Cooper S]

That's why when you follow a mini it looks like its crabbing to one side! The front is just wider than the rear.

Nope standard straight mini's dont crab only ones with the rear subframe out of line or tracking issues.

[SolarB]

That's why when you follow a mini it looks like its crabbing to one side! The front is just wider than the rear.

Nope standard straight mini's dont crab only ones with the rear subframe out of line or tracking issues.

I think that's why Analogue Radio said it looks like they crab.

[mk3 Cooper S]

That's why when you follow a mini it looks like its crabbing to one side! The front is just wider than the rear.

Nope standard straight mini's dont crab only ones with the rear subframe out of line or tracking issues.

I think that's why Analogue Radio said it looks like they crab.

????

And what about all the other front wheel drive cars with a wider track at the front. Do they look like they crab too ??

[SolarB]

That's why when you follow a mini it looks like its crabbing to one side! The front is just wider than the rear.

Nope standard straight mini's dont crab only ones with the rear subframe out of line or tracking issues.

I think that's why Analogue Radio said it looks like they crab.

????
And what about all the other front wheel drive cars with a wider track at the front. Do they look like they crab too ??

They do to me.
Don't they look like it to you to?

[mk3 Cooper S]

That's why when you follow a mini it looks like its crabbing to one side! The front is just wider than the rear.

Nope standard straight mini's dont crab only ones with the rear subframe out of line or tracking issues.

I think that's why Analogue Radio said it looks like they crab.

????
And what about all the other front wheel drive cars with a wider track at the front. Do they look like they crab too ??

They do to me.
Don't they look like it to you to?

All in the eye of the beholder I suppose.

[maggies_minder]

im fairly certain this "crabbing" issue has been debated before, and someone said that the rear if the mini is actually narrower than the front,

so it looks like its crabbing even when its not as you can see the whole side of the mini in front of you.

[Cooperman]

The rear track should be 2" narrower than the front, but this may be reduced with ultra-wide tyres as thin spacers may be needed to get tyre clearance from the radius arm, so a 1" overall difference would indicate 1/2" spacer on each rear wheel.
This narrower rear does, indeed, make it look as though the car is 'crabbing' and this is noticeable on the Mini because of the shape of the bodyshell which also narrows.

[benb12]

The rear track should be 2" narrower than the front, but this may be reduced with ultra-wide tyres as thin spacers may be needed to get tyre clearance from the radius arm, so a 1" overall difference would indicate 1/2" spacer on each rear wheel.
This narrower rear does, indeed, make it look as though the car is 'crabbing' and this is noticeable on the Mini because of the shape of the bodyshell which also narrows.

Does this apply to estates too or is the bodyshell straight on an estate?

[Ethel]

I doubt estates are any different, same rear subby and the wheels fill the arches as well. they are a bit longer though.

[Cooperman]

When I restored a Pick-Up, which has the same wheelbase as an Estate/Van, I drove behind it to check for 'crabbing' It did appear the same as a car so when you drove looking along the RH side, it semed to be crabbing, but when I moved over to look up the LH side, it was just the same, so it was running straight.

[mk3 Cooper S]

Follow mine at the next show (or my dads) both run straight and both are on the original rear subframes/healboards.

If all the wheels are run parallel then it will not crab when you are behind it.
Historically pattern replacement subframes and bad healboard repairs caused crabbing.

Someone on here set's up mini suspension (in Northampton?) his comments would be good.

[Sleepy Stu]

Follow mine at the next show (or my dads) both run straight and both are on the original rear subframes/healboards.

If all the wheels are run parallel then it will not crab when you are behind it.
Historically pattern replacement subframes and bad healboard repairs caused crabbing.

Someone on here set's up mini suspension (in Northampton?) his comments would be good.

ickle mini i think?