27 replies to this topic

[racingbob]

wouldnt checking caster help and adjustable tie rods and adding more caster perhaps

 

thats what id do

[Homersimpson]

 

Can you post a picture from the side of the whole wheel in the straight ahead position so we can see whether the gap around the wheel is even all the way around?

9B628818-10AD-4E05-AD3B-68E5CEF5E4D6.jpeg9CDB4D86-1D5E-4C5E-B631-9996EF602836.jpeg9B628818-10AD-4E05-AD3B-68E5CEF5E4D6.jpeg
And the other side: A8A1249A-8540-47B2-9E74-817F418DFF90.jpeg0F7D7311-DCD5-4DEF-8653-CE9F661F537B.jpeg
Hope this can help you help me

 

It looks to me like the either the wheels are too far forwards on both sides or the front panel is too far back? Not sure how this would be though as its set by the mounts to the front subframe.

 

I would expect that the gap front and back of the wheel would be reasonably the same.  My mini is at the back of the shed at my mums (covered in junk) so I can't check, others might be able to check. 

[cradley-heathen]

that wheel does look too far forward in the arch to me, or the front panel is too far back.

 

i would take the car for a proper alignment check, see if there are any anomolies going on. if the caster etc all checks out, then id say the front panel needs a bit of spacing out with a shim, however if that will be enough or not to solve the rubbing i dont know.

 

does the car stand level? if you measure from the top of the tyre to the arch is it the same both sides? does it have hi-los?

[Nicsmini]

that wheel does look too far forward in the arch to me, or the front panel is too far back.
 
i would take the car for a proper alignment check, see if there are any anomolies going on. if the caster etc all checks out, then id say the front panel needs a bit of spacing out with a shim, however if that will be enough or not to solve the rubbing i dont know.
 
does the car stand level? if you measure from the top of the tyre to the arch is it the same both sides? does it have hi-los?

Ill have a check. Maybe the local Mini Garage can help out if all goes wrong. When I bought the car a year ago it was still running on 12s and all was fine, even after I replaced the front panels 😕

[Homersimpson]

wouldnt checking caster help and adjustable tie rods and adding more caster perhaps

 

thats what id do

I think if you fit adjustable tie rods and make them longer you will reduce the castor angle which (assuming the existing tie rods are the correct length and not bent) would reduce the self centring effect on the steering. 

[Cooperman]

The castor can be reduced to 2.75 degrees without compromising road-holding or steering 'feel' too much.

From the photos it does look as though the LH wheel is too far forward, but it could be the manufacturing tolerances and inaccuracies in the replacement front panel. 

Check and use adjustable tie bars to get the castor right first before cutting/bending the wheel-arch lip. Also check that the suspension is at standard ride height.

[thebluepotato]

Your wings look like they were replaced maybe and not aligned correctly with the subframe.  But maybe I am wrong.

[MrBounce]

Yup - that looks like all kinds of wrong. I had 7.5" S Discs & Reverse Rims on both my '77 1000 & my '85 Mayfair. Both fitted perfectly with clearance issues on standard height suspension.

 

Not the best pic but you get the idea...

 

[Nicsmini]

Yup - that looks like all kinds of wrong. I had 7.5" S Discs & Reverse Rims on both my '77 1000 & my '85 Mayfair. Both fitted perfectly with clearance issues on standard height suspension.
 
Not the best pic but you get the idea...
 

So did you increase the height of the car by adjusting the suspension? Did that solve the clearance issues? Great looking Mini by the way 😎

[MrBounce]

 

Yup - that looks like all kinds of wrong. I had 7.5" S Discs & Reverse Rims on both my '77 1000 & my '85 Mayfair. Both fitted perfectly with clearance issues on standard height suspension.
 
Not the best pic but you get the idea...
 

So did you increase the height of the car by adjusting the suspension? Did that solve the clearance issues? Great looking Mini by the way

 

Sorry that should've read "No clearance issues". I never needed to do anything to my suspension. It was all standard bar a set of Koni shocks.

 

Thanks for the compliment. Sadly I haven't had this Mini for 14 years. Sold it to a guy from Scotland in the RAF who sold it to a fellow airman in Oxfordshire. It then went to someone in Clacton (ironically where I used to live) but hasn't been MOT'd for a couple of years and hasn't been taxed since 2015. 

[miniireland]

That front panel is either pushed back or its a cack replacement job 

Edited by miniireland, 19 March 2018 - 08:52 AM.

[Ben_O]

I think the most straightforward option here is to start with a geometry check.

If that comes back clear, then the issue is the front panel. Easiest way to sort that is to trim the arch just enough to give sufficient clearance.

 

I doubt shims would allow the subframe to move back far enough and they won't allow the front panel to come forward as it's in a fixed position, however shims can be used to set the front panel forward slightly during replacement of the panel if needs be but it's too late for that now.

[miniireland]

can you photograph both corner seams and straight on at bumper level