likley suspect

[@lex]

ok, so i changed my lower arm bushes, had the tracking done, but it didnt solve the wobble thats been buging me.

it seems to be getting worse.

when I hit 50mph it is constant, until about 55mph.

when I come off the gas, sudden like, there’s a bit of a clunk and the same when accelerating hard, at the initial press of the pedal.

What do you guys think.

Could it be the engine or sub frame mounts. The problem started after the engine had been taken out.

Help.

cheers

[TONYELF]

Could be front subframe rear bushes. Tried turning steering wheel back and forth (whilst stationary!) does engine move from side to side in engine bay ?
Mine did when Deano showed me . Changed mountings on both sides Sorted problem to a great extent. You sure its not the "loose nut behind the steering wheel?" :D :D :D

[@lex]

You sure its not the "loose nut behind the steering wheel?" :D :D :D

defo not a loose nut behind the steering wheel tony. you can feel it's up front, not in the cab.

cheers

[TONYELF]

you sure you can "feel" it upfront?:D :D No, ok back to the drawing board. I'll have another "tink":D

[@lex]

you sure you can "feel" it upfront?:D :D No, ok back to the drawing board. I'll have another "tink":D

lol, what we talking about her. lol
i can defo feel it up front lah and it wobbles

at 50mph to 55mph.

cheers

[Gr4H4m]

Tony showed me the engine moving trick and it was plain to seeit moved a couple of Cm's each way when the steering wheel was spun from one side to the other...

Have you also checked the ball joints for play and making sure they are tight? have you checked the castle nut, on the CV's

[Gr4H4m]

are the wheels balanced and have no dents?

[TONYELF]

lol, what we talking about her. lol
i can defo feel it up front lah and it wobbles

at 50mph to 55mph.

cheers

So did mine LOL. No. Seriously. Elle used to do it between 50 and 55 now she does at 85!

[TONYELF]

On reflection it's worth checking out as the mountings are about £5.50 each. you might as well check everything like Gr4h4m suggests?

[@lex]

Tony showed me the engine moving trick and it was plain to seeit moved a couple of Cm's each way when the steering wheel was spun from one side to the other...

Have you also checked the ball joints for play and making sure they are tight? have you checked the castle nut, on the CV's

are the wheels balanced and have no dents?

ball joints are ok... well one was changed for mot and the other was fine... hasnt been used that much since then. will do the engine mooving trick and the other possabilitys you mentioned.

cheers

[TONYELF]

Don't forget to put ignition key in!:rolleyes:

[Gr4H4m]

jack it up and spin the wheels and spin them and have a look at the inside and outside edge to make sure there are no dents.. If you are getting a speed wobble I would also check they are balanced.

I would still double check the ball joints...

[@lex]

Don't forget to put ignition key in!:rolleyes:

jack it up and spin the wheels and spin them and have a look at the inside and outside edge to make sure there are no dents.. If you are getting a speed wobble I would also check they are balanced.

I would still double check the ball joints...

lol, can just about manage the ignition key tony. :D

will have to get some help with the rest. :o

cheers guys

[English Bully]

Hey,if your coming sunday on the run why not buy a couple of raffle tickets.
As MiniMine have giving us a fully polybush front subby kit,and a fully solid (steel/alloy) subby kit yo raffle off....These sorts such a load of headaches out on minis,the diffrence is ubleaveable once dun....
The tickets can be bought at BALA or if you meet up with us earlyer,The draw will be at Barmouth Carpark as soon as we all get there....


ps,have you swapped your front wheels with the back ? could just be a tyre out of shape slighty....normaly a wheel whobble around 50/55 is tyre related as the wheel balancer machines only spin up to 50mph....its worth a go.

[Steve]

ok, so i changed my lower arm bushes, had the tracking done, but it didnt solve the wobble thats been buging me.

it seems to be getting worse.

when I hit 50mph it is constant, until about 55mph.

when I come off the gas, sudden like, there’s a bit of a clunk and the same when accelerating hard, at the initial press of the pedal.

What do you guys think.

Could it be the engine or sub frame mounts. The problem started after the engine had been taken out.

Help.

cheers

If you feel it when you come of the gas it may be your steady bars. With going to a 1380 you should have fitted a competition one also to stop engine moving.

[charlie_mini]

what are your engine mounts like? when i changed the engine i put new ones in and that's made a big difference to the vibrations!
its minimag's 10 min tech this month too!#
cheers

[Gr4H4m]

any news @lex? I would try the advice above and swap the wheels over. If not try a balance as it will be cheap, to start with.

After that is sounds like bush wiggling time :)

[@lex]

i am going to renew the bushes on engine steady bar and ad an extra one. then see what it's like.

or all bushes (engine steady) the same for all years of mini ? polly bush ? or rubber wi metal inserts ?
it doesnt realy say when looking through the bumff and they are different shapes depending on what they are made off.

just going to order them now.

cheers

[Gr4H4m]

last time I got some they were form minispares and came it two halfs so they were easy to insall with the metal crush spacer...

[@lex]

For several years now, the Mini has always struggled with wearing out engine stabiliser bushes. The combination of heat and oil on the standard rubber bushes has always caused a problem, and on standard mini’s often causes problems with making exhaust manifold downpipes blow. The widely accepted “modification” has always been to fit a set of polyurethane (or equivalent) bushes
These kits look nicer, fit well, can come in a whole range of weird and wonderful colours, but do they actually work any better or indeed last any longer? Why then do motor manufacturers then not fit these as standard?
Poly bush kits have been around for several years now, and they do have their advantages. They do not crack and perish like rubber, so surely they must be better? Yet manufacturers still use rubber, even on the most modern cars. With huge Research and development budgets at their disposal, if using poly mounts was the answer to longevity every modern car produced today would have them.
Minispares has been looking at all bush kits available on the market over the last few years, in order to provide the best possible products for peoples Mini’s. Lower arms bush kits, suspension tie bar bush kits, and engine stabiliser bar bush kits have all been looked at with optimum performance in mind.

With this information Minispares have now engineered and developed an upgraded performance version of the very latest Rover engine stabiliser bush. It’s a one piece silent block type bush that fits at either end of the standard stabiliser, and is a direct replacement for the standard bushes. Whilst they don’t have the glamour of a colourful poly bush, they exceed expectation in the way they work. In my own 1380, with no addition stabilisers, they work extremely well, with absolutely no engine movement, no increased vibration or noise.

This is another great addition to the Minispares Evolution range of performance parts, that are tried and tested by us to ensure our customers are receiving the highest quality parts available

[@lex]

ok, does this look like it is the correct top engine stadiliser for a 1997 M.P.I.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/alexm_007/enginesteady.jpg

the discription says it fits a 1275cc injection, but have had mix up's whith spi stuff.

cheers

[Mark"H"]

I bough the same one for my old Cooper SPI from M&M's but never got round to fitting it. I tried to change it last week for one to fit a carb engine and they said that an injection one will fit all 1275 engines but a carb one will not fit injection, if this makes any sense

[@lex]

I bough the same one for my old Cooper SPI from M&M's but never got round to fitting it. I tried to change it last week for one to fit a carb engine and they said that an injection one will fit all 1275 engines but a carb one will not fit injection, if this makes any sense

so the one pictured above should fit mine. have you still got the one from M&M's then ? ;)

cheers

[@lex]

wow thats a bit big... sorry

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/alexm_007/DSCN5332.jpg

this is where the top steady will be fixed to the bulk head. doesnt look like it will match the pic above :confused:

[charlie_mini]

yeah it will, that parts generic. the difference is were it meets the water pump, far as i know that will fit an MPi as the thermostats on mpi and spi are the same i think, carbs are different as the radiator is in a different place, so the take off the water pump is different, thats what the big hole in the big part is...
cheers

[moddinmad]

wow thats a bit big... sorry

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/alexm_007/DSCN5332.jpg

this is where the top steady will be fixed to the bulk head. doesnt look like it will match the pic above :confused:

yes thats the right one.

only 3 of the bold mount thru the rear engine steady. and youll need to get 2 gaskets for the water pump. wen you fit i you mite have to mod the rear edge as i found it really hard to get over the exhaust stud. and the pipe work wil need to be manovered around the steady too

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/moddinmad/DSCF1530.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/moddinmad/DSCF1524.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/moddinmad/DSCF1512.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/moddinmad/DSCF1511.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/moddinmad/DSCF1523.jpg

probly the best pics i could take for you. it is 1:15am. wil you have it in time for saturday? have you got your bushes yet?

[@lex]

thats a great help, cheers. i thought the four bolts were there to be used. doh.
thats what had me confused.

yeh, the stuff should be arriving today.

i am at work until tomorrow afternoon now, so hope to get it sorted then.

i have ordered all the bushes for original engine steady poly watsimicallys,
for the gear box one also.
have ordered 4 gaskets for the thermastat housing, 2 just in case
and a new thermistat... might as well when i'm there, it's only a fiver.

thanks again

[Gafmo]

i'd get the wheels rebalenced also

[@lex]

i'd get the wheels rebalenced also

good idea... cheers man

[@lex]

oh man... was expecting my stuff today. am still waiting.


:(

[TONYELF]

oh man... was expecting my stuff today. am still waiting.


:(

And I thought I worried too much(so I'm told) LOL:D Cheer up man !:cool:

[moddinmad]

were did you order it from.

mini sport have a habit of making you wait. i use mini spares now or local stores

[@lex]

were did you order it from.

mini sport have a habit of making you wait. i use mini spares now or local stores

still waiting for minisport delivery. mini spares were out of stock on an item, that's why i used minisport.

but hey... im not worryed, sure they will land on the doorstep any minute now. :D

cheers

[Gr4H4m]

Did they?

[@lex]

Did they?

lol.. not yet:)

[Gr4H4m]

mmm I'm still waiting for minispares.... should be here today

[@lex]

It’s a pain in the but im just pottering around the house and twiddling my thumbs. hold on was that a van pulling up outside......
...... nah, just the neighbour.

At work all day tomorrow. :) i love it when a plan comes together.

what you waiting for graham?

cheers

[Gr4H4m]

gaskets, oil seal... not that I'm going to change anything before sat.

[@lex]

gaskets, oil seal... not that I'm going to change anything before sat.

thats not so bad then. hold on theres a van....

[Gr4H4m]

well......

[@lex]

no joy.... just a random van. :rolleyes: :)

[Mark"H"]

M & M's have them in. Not too far to drive and they do mail order as well

[Gr4H4m]

any luck Alex???

[@lex]

any luck Alex???

no delivery.

time was running out so just got some standard engine steady bushes.

when i got in, the delivery guy had left a phone massage, asking for directions.
i phoned him back and it's going to be tomorrow now any way.
i love it when a plan comes together.

managed to get the bushes on and it seems pretty steady :D
going to try and slope of from work tomorrow :rolleyes: and get the wheels balanced.

cheers

[Gr4H4m]

I went to buckley Tyres this eve they are open to 6pm.. get team and cheap too..

[Deano]

I use Bucley tyres alot they know there stuff;)

[@lex]

I use Bucley tyres alot they know there stuff;)

managed to slope of to bucley tyers this morrning. :)
sorted.

cheers

[Gr4H4m]

Found this Alex dual usage aswell..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220228194833&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:GB:1123

[Steve]

Have you fixed the steering problem now.

[@lex]

Found this Alex dual usage aswell..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220228194833&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:GB:1123

lol my engine is pritty steady now... but i might still purchase it. :rolleyes: :)

cheers

[@lex]

Have you fixed the steering problem now.

the steering problem is still there.... it's like the stearing rack is made of jelly.

cheers

[English Bully]

without me reading all 5 pages to this post mate.
But with your last comment " Like the rack is made of jelly " Have you mad sure that the U bolts that hold the rack to the bulkhead are Tight?
Its very comman that these become a little bakey after a few miles,speacaily if your mini is sat on 13inhc wheels....
If you lift you carpet up there you will see the rack mounts,these are higher than the subby mounts...Just give em a little nip with a 13mm spanner,It wont cost ya out.9 out of 10 minis that I see are loose.crazy init.

[charlie_mini]

that happened to mine,, small thing but made loads of difference!
just dont overtighten them and bend the stearing rack!
cheers

[@lex]

without me reading all 5 pages to this post mate.
But with your last comment " Like the rack is made of jelly " Have you mad sure that the U bolts that hold the rack to the bulkhead are Tight?
Its very comman that these become a little bakey after a few miles,speacaily if your mini is sat on 13inhc wheels....
If you lift you carpet up there you will see the rack mounts,these are higher than the subby mounts...Just give em a little nip with a 13mm spanner,It wont cost ya out.9 out of 10 minis that I see are loose.crazy init.

that happened to mine,, small thing but made loads of difference!
just dont overtighten them and bend the stearing rack!
cheers

thanks lads. i will give that a go and let you know.

cheers

[@lex]

just tightened those rack mounts up and it done the trick... easy when you know how.:rolleyes: :o :D

cheers

[moddinmad]

glad you got it sorted mate. its always the simplest of things

[@lex]

glad you got it sorted mate. its always the simplest of things

thanks man and thanks english bully.

It’s normally the worst possible option for me.

Much better now man!! I had sort of become used to it snaking all over the place. I'd forgotten how much fun these minis are to drive.

good times:D

[moddinmad]

i know the feeling with the loss of power with the cat colapsing.

MPIs are nearly back to full strenth

[@lex]

i know the feeling with the loss of power with the cat colapsing.

MPIs are nearly back to full strenth

have you heard from mini richy.

i think he was expecting a delivery today.

cheers

[moddinmad]

i havent heard from him he could wel be in work. hope he get it toady!

[English Bully]

thanks man and thanks english bully.

It’s normally the worst possible option for me.

Much better now man!! I had sort of become used to it snaking all over the place. I'd forgotten how much fun these minis are to drive.

good times:D

Glad its all sorted now mucker,I bet they were well loose were'nt they ....
Makes a big diffrence when the rack isnt floating about lol....

I did a mates cooper 500 last year,He ask'd me "Whats broke,If your steering wheel keeps movoing while your driving it" LOL !!! I only reversed it down my street and nearly s**t me self lol....he had lost one of the U-bolts and the other was hanging off !!!

[@lex]

Glad its all sorted now mucker,I bet they were well loose were'nt they ....
Makes a big diffrence when the rack isnt floating about lol....

I did a mates cooper 500 last year,He ask'd me "Whats broke,If your steering wheel keeps movoing while your driving it" LOL !!! I only reversed it down my street and nearly s**t me self lol....he had lost one of the U-bolts and the other was hanging off !!!

O.M.G... it was'nt that bad. just took a couple of turns and was sorted.
i will know next time. i tightened it a bit, testsd it, tightened it a bit more, tested it... the third time i was out for 75 minutes. still smiling now. :D

it's not perfect yet though...

thanks again mucker.

[English Bully]

Im a lover of solid subby mounts,and fully adjustable bottom arms,tie bar,rear subby track and camber and adjustable hi-los and shoxs....once its set up then minis are a whole load more fun...