21 replies to this topic

[RWD3M]

Hi Guys,

 

Today, for the first time in 7 years, I'm servicing my dearly beloved's Mini on a car ramp! A joyous occasion which was only made possible by said dearly beloved's generosity last year in releasing the funds for me to purchase it (a Strongman Glenfinnan for those who are interested).

 

Well, of course, when things are presented from a different angle you start to notice things and I certainly have! Isee that the front of the Mini has 2 towing eyes fitted, one either side. One is a lot beefier than the other, but should they be there? Are they left over from some recovery incident in the past? I would expect one perhaps but stowed rather than fitted, certainly didn't expect to see two of them.

 

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Any suggestions welcome :)

 

FWIW, the car is a '97 MPi.

 

Hope you're all having a great day!

 

Richard.

[Chris1275gt]

That is where you put them I have only one but you can have two if you so wish.

[nicklouse]

Some sales areas required them to be fitted. Most did not have them.

[Davidmt]

I have 2 shiney ones 

 

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[Bobbins]

They're either fitted or they're not, it's not possible to fit one when you suddenly need to tow the car because it doubles as the front subframe mounting. IMHO they're a good addition.

[goudoogje]

the MPI had the better/stronger one fitted from factory.

 

I think the older version is added by someone in the past. 

[RWD3M]

....because it doubles as the front subframe mounting.....

Well, I didn't know that!

[MatthewsDad]

It's a fit and forget until you need it. It's been useful on the two occasions I needed the car to be winched onto a recovery vehicle.

[68+86auto]

It's normal to have two when they were fitted.

[floormanager]

Can I ask, I bought a towing eye from somewhere and when I went to fit it, the bolt was a bigger size, so I didn't.  What towing eye can fit without modification?

Paul

[Davidmt]

Suspect they have to be a certain size to be fit for purposes. No point in putting in a weak eye that just shears if ever used.

Mine were larger but still fitted through the subframe. I did have to put a drill through the spacers but marginally. They did need more persuasion to fit and align but I used a jack and bar to get everything aligned and a mallet to push them in.

Edited by Davidmt, 28 January 2024 - 08:58 AM.

[Bobbins]

Both the original and later type towing eyes fit the same size hole as the front subframe locating bolt, all are the same size thread. My JDM Mini had one of each type of towing eyes fitted!

The later type are in stock at Bull Motif.

Diagram from the Minispares website:

Edited by Bobbins, 28 January 2024 - 09:10 AM.

[Mr Piggy]

If you need to tow or load a mini onto a trailer it's almost impossible to do it without damage to the the tie bar or front valance. I'll be fitting 2 to my 67 trav when it's done.

[Blumeanie]

My MPI came with the two installed from the factory. The one on the right side of the car being bigger than the other and they are different styles. (The right one is item 19 in the diagram posted above, while the left side seems to be like item 9).

As mentioned - they are a component of the subframe mounting, so you do not want to remove them permanently (Without at least replacing with a plain fastener).

 

I agree that it is good to leave them in place as there is no other place to grab onto a mini without damaging something...

Odd story; I pulled on one by hand as I was working on something else - and it came right off in my hand without much effort. It seems I had lost the bolt at some point. I do not know how it was still hanging on.

 

I had found the square plate washers (item 6) on the floor at some point in the past - and I had no idea where those had come from. I had never seen these anywhere. Luckily, I saved them.

 

I noticed a similar set of washers on the other side as I was looking to replace the bolt, and I remembered putting those washers away... I replaced the towing eye right away with a new bolt. 

Edited by Blumeanie, 08 January 2025 - 09:03 PM.

[Steam]

I purchsed some heavy duty lifting eyes which are much stronger and fit better than any towing eye.