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 Post subject: How bad is the damage?
PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 11:10 am 
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Hey out there mini people! It's been a while between posts for me. Good to see that Ausmini is still alive and kicking!

So after running a singular mini for nearly about 13 years now, it finally happened. I got another one.

This one has been in a crash though, and I originally bought it thinking it could be a parts car, if nothing else.

Having a bit of a look at it, it's in a sorry state, but not entirely a basket case, but it has some front end damage that I can't diagnose. Clearly it's whacked something with the driver's side front, see pics.

Having a look in the wheel well, I can't see anything seriously bent, the steering arm has tripped over a few degrees, and the radius rod mount has bent back a touch, but it doesn't explain the excessive toe out and masses of negative camber. Steering rack appears ok.

I measured the wheelbase and it's 25mm shorter on the crunched side. I'm thinking the subframe has probably turned into a parralelogram, but I can't figure out what would cause the toe/camber. Can anyone give me some idea on where to look next?

Cheers


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 12:52 pm 
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I would start by measuring what is square and what isn't square, especially the subframe. A lot can be done with a tape measure, normally a trammel gauge would be used to clear obstructions. If you try to make something like a trammel gauge note that it doesn't actually need measurements as you just compare one side to the other. Diagonally across the subframe and bonnet opening is a start.

If the subframe is bent then it will need to come out and you will probably be able to identify any bent components.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 3:01 pm 
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68+86auto wrote:
I would start by measuring what is square and what isn't square, especially the subframe. A lot can be done with a tape measure, normally a trammel gauge would be used to clear obstructions. If you try to make something like a trammel gauge note that it doesn't actually need measurements as you just compare one side to the other. Diagonally across the subframe and bonnet opening is a start.

If the subframe is bent then it will need to come out and you will probably be able to identify any bent components.


Trammel guage, that's a good suggestion. I've got something that I think will get me within cooee for that.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 4:06 pm 
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Check the front floors undrr the carpet for damage


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 10:55 pm 
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I'd be dropping the subframe out and bolting in another good subframe, then use some string lines and a tape measure to variously check the alignment of the shell by measuring all the suspension mounting points, same idea as doing a sting line alignment but using the mounting holes instead of the tyres.

You could try and measure with the current subframe in, but if the subframe has twisted or moved in the shell it could be hard to know what is and isn't straight. I guess you could first measure up the subframe to ensure it is still straight.

Dropping the front subframe with engine and all would be a great start, I'd be dismantling all of the front suspension on both sides and checking or replacing every part anyway


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