Mini Specialist in Derbyshire? and a Quick Question!
Discussion
Just bought my first mini 
BUT! The driver's front arch is rubbing on the tyre, I think it's the join between the arches and wing. In fact a great section of the tyre has been rubbed away. This has also lead (I think) to a crack running along the wing from the arch towards the wing mirror.
Gutted. The seller did say the arches can rub under full lock over a bump.. but this is level ground!
The wing crack worries me too, so there is no way I will be taking it on the road (properly, other than a trip to a garage!) without getting it sorted.
Although, the crack seems to me as though it is only in the fibreglass that has been used to smooth over the arches... cheap job to fix properly?
Any ideas?
If anyone knows a specialist in Derbyshire (CHESTERFIELD AREA), or a decent body shop that doesn't charge the earth around here, please let me know
Thanks!
Dave.
BUT! The driver's front arch is rubbing on the tyre, I think it's the join between the arches and wing. In fact a great section of the tyre has been rubbed away. This has also lead (I think) to a crack running along the wing from the arch towards the wing mirror.
Gutted. The seller did say the arches can rub under full lock over a bump.. but this is level ground!
The wing crack worries me too, so there is no way I will be taking it on the road (properly, other than a trip to a garage!) without getting it sorted.
Although, the crack seems to me as though it is only in the fibreglass that has been used to smooth over the arches... cheap job to fix properly?
Any ideas?
If anyone knows a specialist in Derbyshire (CHESTERFIELD AREA), or a decent body shop that doesn't charge the earth around here, please let me know
Thanks!
Dave.
dave
a tidy looking mini!
but....
smoothing the join 'tween scuttle and wing is asking for trouble as they will always crack there, its a natural expansion joint
i think your catching problems are due to the 7 x 13 wheels - these always catch, especially if fitted with the cheaper 195 section tyres (which yours look like, im not sure).
i think all you can do is make sure the suspension is tip top and at worse case raise it up a bit.
still, a cool looking beast, looks well deseamed with that colour!
a tidy looking mini!
but....
smoothing the join 'tween scuttle and wing is asking for trouble as they will always crack there, its a natural expansion joint
i think your catching problems are due to the 7 x 13 wheels - these always catch, especially if fitted with the cheaper 195 section tyres (which yours look like, im not sure).
i think all you can do is make sure the suspension is tip top and at worse case raise it up a bit.
still, a cool looking beast, looks well deseamed with that colour!
actually, ive zoomed in your your photo.....
they look more like 175 potenzas,
if the crack is between the wheel and the mirror - i.e up the orginal join of the wing and a panel, then you may get away with removing the arch and cutting the arch lip higher, then remaking the lip and refitting the arch.
sorry, didnt read your first post proparly!
they look more like 175 potenzas,
if the crack is between the wheel and the mirror - i.e up the orginal join of the wing and a panel, then you may get away with removing the arch and cutting the arch lip higher, then remaking the lip and refitting the arch.
sorry, didnt read your first post proparly!
Ta
Bridgestone 175/50x13 tyres and 7x13 minilites.. to be precise.
Yes, I did think it could be raised a bit.. but also thought about grinding the [metal] arch away a bit, too then sticking the fibreglass one back again. Okay that makes it sound easier than in reality!
This is proving to be a bugger, hard to find a solution that means it will never rub/crack again.. without raising the front end by 2"
Bridgestone 175/50x13 tyres and 7x13 minilites.. to be precise.
Yes, I did think it could be raised a bit.. but also thought about grinding the [metal] arch away a bit, too then sticking the fibreglass one back again. Okay that makes it sound easier than in reality!
This is proving to be a bugger, hard to find a solution that means it will never rub/crack again.. without raising the front end by 2"
Hi we restore classic cars, have had a look at the pic, the problem is basically caused by the deseaming for front wing to A panel.
I assume you are aware there should be a visible seam there?
with the wheel/tyre/arch choice and the level of arch clearance it will always catch, particularly on rough roads and full lock.
What the car really needs is a decision of whether to stay smooth or not.
If yes then the wings need cutting away a bit more as on the sportpacked minis, this will give more arch clearance, and should hopefully cure the problem, if it was me I would also want to strip the paint down the seam to see how they had deseamed it, I've seen a few deseamed mini's ranging from good to awful, if it's been done right then there should be no movement between the wing and A panel, as any movement will result in filler cracks, I would also lead it as opposed to filler but I am a perfectionist!
Call me if you get stuck were 2 hours away but might be able to offer advice.
I assume you are aware there should be a visible seam there?
with the wheel/tyre/arch choice and the level of arch clearance it will always catch, particularly on rough roads and full lock.
What the car really needs is a decision of whether to stay smooth or not.
If yes then the wings need cutting away a bit more as on the sportpacked minis, this will give more arch clearance, and should hopefully cure the problem, if it was me I would also want to strip the paint down the seam to see how they had deseamed it, I've seen a few deseamed mini's ranging from good to awful, if it's been done right then there should be no movement between the wing and A panel, as any movement will result in filler cracks, I would also lead it as opposed to filler but I am a perfectionist!
Call me if you get stuck were 2 hours away but might be able to offer advice.
This is confusing me now 
I will try and get the car onto more level ground aswell, just incase that is affecting it at all..
Not a massive worry as you don't need full lock unless reversing or what have you, but it does need sorting.
Any idea of price (
) for (for example) grinding the arches, sorting the filler crack, respraying the panels etc..
The thought of it is making me nervous.
I will try and get the car onto more level ground aswell, just incase that is affecting it at all..
Not a massive worry as you don't need full lock unless reversing or what have you, but it does need sorting.
Any idea of price (
) for (for example) grinding the arches, sorting the filler crack, respraying the panels etc.. The thought of it is making me nervous.
TBH only one arch needs doing after closer inspection..
There is a lip of metal on the arch that is rubbing, the fibreglass is quite a bit away from that and would not actually touch the wheel when on full lock. Maybe all this will take is the grinding away of the metal arch slightly.. (which could mean moving the fibreglass one(s) up but that should be easy enough?
Then it's just a case of sorting the crack out, however that would be done..
It's definately only the one arch the other has plenty of clearance.
Dave.
There is a lip of metal on the arch that is rubbing, the fibreglass is quite a bit away from that and would not actually touch the wheel when on full lock. Maybe all this will take is the grinding away of the metal arch slightly.. (which could mean moving the fibreglass one(s) up but that should be easy enough?
Then it's just a case of sorting the crack out, however that would be done..
It's definately only the one arch the other has plenty of clearance.
Dave.
Might be worth seeking out the template used for correctly fitting the Sport Pack arches - these show where the wing has to be cut and folded to prevent the wheels from rubbing on it.
Also, be very careful with that scuttle corner that's been filled in. Could be full of filler for a reason. Like mine, for instance, which looks fine at face value but is actually just a great big rusty hole full of filler. If you start doing bodywork, be prepared to find nasties underneath!
Could be fine, mind. Looks very tidy generally...
Also, be very careful with that scuttle corner that's been filled in. Could be full of filler for a reason. Like mine, for instance, which looks fine at face value but is actually just a great big rusty hole full of filler. If you start doing bodywork, be prepared to find nasties underneath!
Could be fine, mind. Looks very tidy generally...
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