7 replies to this topic

[Shaun78]

Hi,I have been trying to fit my front subframe today,it bolts up ok on the tower bolts,and on the toe panel,the problem I have is on the front panel there is a 5mm gap on the n/s and no gap on the o/s,I have taken measurements on both side of the shell and both sides seem to match,is this a known issue with mokes and minis to have gaps.i have been restoring the moke but have not touched the bulkhead,I have changed the front panel but all looks ok,not sure what to do about it.

[stuart bowes]

I'm sure you can get packing shims for that very reason, although 5mm sounds like quite a lot ? maybe when you bolt it up tight it will pull in a bit

 

sure others will be along to confirm

 

not 100% sure but think it might be these? https://www.minispor...eel-2a4292.html

Edited by stuart bowes, 23 December 2023 - 02:33 PM.

[Spider]

On Mokes and Minis, there is a gap here. I've found with Mokes, that gap can be up to 10 mm, and not always the same on each side.

 

As Stuart mentioned, there are standard packers available for fitted here, in the parts books, the quantity is listed as ' A/R ' (As Required).

I just use 5/16" x 1" x 16G Flat Washers here ' A/R '.

[bpirie1000]

Was this the subframe that came off?

[mab01uk]

Minispares also sell the spacers:-

PACKING SPACER BETWEEN FRONT PANEL AND SUBFRAME - 2A4292

"Fitted to rubber mounted subframes from 1976 on this packing piece goes between the front panel and the subframe mounting points. You might be surprised how many of these were fitted to your car when it came out the factory. When replacing the front panel or mountings you should repack them accordingly. They are open end shaped to slide in over the bolt."

https://www.minispar...sic/2A4292.aspx

Edited by mab01uk, 23 December 2023 - 04:44 PM.

[Shaun78]

Hi,thanks for the replies,the subframe I am fitting is not the frame that came off,the frame that came off was no good,so I sourced a good used subframe I have measured it and it seems square but easy to recheck.

[stuart bowes]

Minispares also sell the spacers:-

PACKING SPACER BETWEEN FRONT PANEL AND SUBFRAME - 2A4292

 

ah I did look there first but they eluded me, fair play 

 

I would add though as with all small items like that (same with the link I posted) the carriage will be the killer 

 

What I normally do is either find them on ebay with free postage OR say well in for a penny in for a pound and add some other bits to the order, if I can't think of anything specific then at the very least a tenners worth of nuts and bolts of various sizes, you know they'll get used at some point, particularly in my case where I had shelves full of metric stuff and very little in the way of imperial

 

in this instance though it seems ebay doesn't really make much difference overall https://www.ebay.co....:Bk9SR66ci4KTYw

 

either the normal washers suggestion then, or maybe https://www.ebay.co....kp:BFBM3K2jgpNj a very minor fabrication exercise 

Edited by stuart bowes, 23 December 2023 - 07:27 PM.

[mab01uk]

Hi,thanks for the replies,the subframe I am fitting is not the frame that came off,the frame that came off was no good,so I sourced a good used subframe I have measured it and it seems square but easy to recheck.

 

Minis were not built to high tolerances compared to modern cars which have to be when assembled by robots. The long production life of the Mini also mean't the factory tooling became worn but was not always refurbished at the correct times, especially in later years due to cost-cutting and the BL/Rover management not really knowing now much longer Mini production would continue....

 

You might find this Heritage video below of making a Mini Front Subframe of interest using the factory jigs and tooling:-

 

Edited by mab01uk, 24 December 2023 - 11:35 AM.