compass
Posted a lot
www.compasstrading.co.uk
Posts: 1,644
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Jul 24, 2013 10:08:07 GMT
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So, after posting a thread up here for the gearbox/clutch issues I had with a classic Mini I bought, I thought why not try with the handling on the same car!
It`s been built for hill climbs etc, and has Bilsteins all round. Having never driven an old Mini before, i`m not too sure on how they should handle, all I can go off is what other people have said...
When you throw the car into a corner, it`s superb. It`s as good as point and press, and the car will follow. Sticks to the road like glue, and feels planted. However, all isn`t so good in a straight line. When flying along with the gas on, as soon as I let off, the car seems to struggle to stay in a straight line! Lurches to the right and left before I can get hold of it again. It`s got a quick rack, so know the steering is sensitive, but I`m 100% certain it`s nothing to do with my driving!
As I said, this is my first Mini, so if this is a simple question......sorry! I`m not sure if it`s a problem with the shockers, radius arms, anything else at all.
Any advise would be appreciated.
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Jul 24, 2013 10:44:47 GMT
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Well, it has been a few years for me with them but contrary to popular opinion Mini's do not actually have equal length drive shafts, and torque steer works in both positive and negative acceleration.
Any problems are accentuated by this, so first issues are ball joints and tie rod ends
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Contrary to popular opinion, I do have mechanical sympathy, I always feel sorry for the cars I drive.
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mad
Part of things
Posts: 126
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Jul 24, 2013 11:58:07 GMT
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Also have you got a small steering wheel, with a quick rack that would only make it even more sensitive
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Jul 24, 2013 12:20:38 GMT
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If it is REALLY pointy on turn in (and a bit flighty in a straight line as suggested) you probably have too much toe-in on the front wheels.
If it feels very "adjustable" at the rear mid-corner then you have not enough toe-in at the rear...
But as suggested, make sure all the ball joints and bushes are in sensible condition before going to a garage and having an alignment check...
Does it have fully adjustable suspension?
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Jul 24, 2013 12:31:50 GMT
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As above, a spec list of all the modification to suspension and drivechain would be useful Also, any pics?  |
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compass
Posted a lot
www.compasstrading.co.uk
Posts: 1,644
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Jul 24, 2013 13:03:37 GMT
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Cheers guys. Suspension isn`t adjustable, just straight up billies. I`ll check all ball joints, bushes and tie rod ends first, and see what I think of them. It wouldn`t surprise me at all if it had too much toe-in, although it seems to stick very well all the way through the corner, it`s just on the straights where I have issues. I didnt think it was serious, i`m just not very technically minded I`m afraid! Pictures of the MIni are on the following photobucket link; s1108.photobucket.com/user/Compassuk/library/Mini%201380%20MED?sort=2&page=1 |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Classic Mini handlingChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Jul 24, 2013 14:03:27 GMT
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I'd be looking into your tracking settings, judging by you saying that the front is handling as if there is a stake going through the dashboard onto the ride.
The other possibility is the bushes. I would either go for genuine bushes (I think Mini-Spares sell these) or Superflex (these seem to strike the balance well between a long life and giving the car a unjarring ride). The vast majority of rubber bushes I have seen for classics as of late seem to be garbage IMHO.
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Jul 24, 2013 14:05:20 GMT
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13x7 wheels could play a big part in it too, I have them on my Mini and it tramlines a lot. I had 12x6 on for a bit and it was far more stable, could be partly down to them? I like my 13s but minis don't like large wheels so much.
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Jul 24, 2013 16:38:12 GMT
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Nice looking mini Lots of time and money spent When you say it's been built for hillclimbs, do you mean that, or is it just in the looks? As far as you know the Bilsteins are the only modification? And they are the damnpers / shocks? So it has standard rubber cones, bottom arms, tie rods? Does it have height adjustable struts (hi-los)? If all of that is standard i think it is down to the wide offset of the wheels and / or worn / loose bushes etc If you had the opportunity to try some alternative wheels you might find it very different I would imagine many a nearby mini enthusiast would be willing to help Have you mentioned this on the mini-forum? There is (obviously) plenty of folk who might have something to contribute Whereabouts are you? |
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Jul 24, 2013 16:48:52 GMT
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Also, I see in your gearbox thread you mention the MED engine and quick-shift
It hasn't got an LSD has it?
Alas your pictures are very small but it is definately not a 1965 mini, so any mechanicals etc won't relate to that period
It fits more into the mk4/5 era of the late 80/90s
Subframes, mounts etc are different from mid 70's onwards
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compass
Posted a lot
www.compasstrading.co.uk
Posts: 1,644
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Jul 24, 2013 17:05:54 GMT
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Also, I see in your gearbox thread you mention the MED engine and quick-shift It hasn't got an LSD has it? Alas your pictures are very small but it is definately not a 1965 mini, so any mechanicals etc won't relate to that period It fits more into the mk4/5 era of the late 80/90s Subframes, mounts etc are different from mid 70's onwards You`re correct.......it was re-shelled not so long ago, but with retro fitted lights etc. I only recently got the car, originally from Ireland, so am trying to get to the bottom of a few of these things. It`s 100% not got hi/los, but havn`t had the chance to check out the other things.......the other half is out tonight though, so that should give me some time No LSD either. I`m going to check all the points people have mentioned, and will see if I can get hold of a small set of wheels to see if this helps. I bought it blind, but didn`t expect too much.....in all fairness, it`s better than I thought, and it`s certainly had the money spent on it, especially to the engine. I`m starting to think they may have neglected the handling side though, which seems daft for hill climbs. Based in Chesterfield....not been on any Mini forums as I struggle to find time to use the ones I do frequent, but I might have to join one soon. I`ll report back any findings...cheers again. |
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Last Edit: Jul 24, 2013 17:09:16 GMT by compass
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Jul 24, 2013 17:16:02 GMT
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Hi Compass, It's a nice car but I don't think it has been setup for hillclimbs  It's carrying a lot of weight and is the rollcage bolted to the top seatbelt mounts? Got any bigger pics? |
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compass
Posted a lot
www.compasstrading.co.uk
Posts: 1,644
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Jul 24, 2013 18:14:09 GMT
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Hi Compass, It's a nice car but I don't think it has been setup for hillclimbs It's carrying a lot of weight and is the rollcage bolted to the top seatbelt mounts? Got any bigger pics? I`d be inclined to agree! As I mentioned, only had it a few days, and this is the first time I`ve really found to have a good look around it. OK, it goes very well (and is great fun, with soooo much torque), and has had a lot of money spent on it engine wise......but I`d guess that`s where the previous owner/builder left it. The suspension looks to be a totally standard type 1 set up, with bilstein shocks. The roll cage is a blatantly there for looks alone. I`ve just taken it for a 20 minute blast through the Peak District roads, and the suspension 100% need to be looked at! It turns in very well, and holds the road well through the corners, but you risk your life if letting off the gas at speed! This can`t be normal, and I`d be surprised if it`s all to do with the wheels. I`m guessing its a lot to do with the bushes/tie rods etc like many have mentioned. As I can`t do the work myself, I think it`s time to get booked in with a specialist! |
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Jul 24, 2013 19:08:43 GMT
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Ride height looks a bit high and are the rubber springs in good order?
And I can imagine that a rotten rear subframe can cause funny things, like shot radius arm bearings.
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 Click picture for more |
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steveg
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,565
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Jul 24, 2013 19:25:46 GMT
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There is a lot you can do to improve things. If it's a late shell then the front subframe is probably one of the later rubber mounted ones. A set of solid mounts would help for a start. I did this on mine, fitted negative camber bottom arms and adjustable tie rods along with lots of new bushes and bearings. It's pretty good in a straight line but I only have the standard steel wheels fitted with 165/60x 12 tyres fitted. It makes a difference fitting the Minilite wheels I have. Although they are only 5" wide they have a stupid offset and cause the steering wheel to tug around a lot more.
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Aug 13, 2013 10:33:46 GMT
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Compass, did you find anything awry in the suspension?
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