Most liked posts in thread: Rally Mini Cooper

This was my first weekend after the rally to inspect the Mini. Saturday was a full day promoting the car with sponsors. Sunday I got up early to work on the rear suspension. I removed the top mount bolts to let the struts swing free to make it easier to remove the bent bolts. The right side came out with little effort but as always more of the aluminium thread came out. The left side was completely stuck so after some oil and much sweating I got the bent bolt and most of the threads! Then I found some flat steel in the shed and made up a support backet.

What I find strange is Saturday and Sunday stages were the same, after Saturday the bolts were straight. I know I was going faster on Sunday so I think some heavy landings bottomed out the struts bending the bolts. I plan to put longer bolts through the trailing arm so I can put a nut on the outside and move the spring plate up about 3/4" to gain a little more ride height. Another issue maybe the battery and spare wheel being too much weight for the suspension, moving the spare wheel forward and a lighter battery might solve that.

I want to keep the R56 trailing arm as putting back the heavy R50 trailing is going to add more weight.

Left



Right



Support bracket.

 

Well yes that's a good point....going fast does tend to find weak spots

I was thinking to stay with the 10.9 bolt as I thought fitting a stronger bolt might stress the aluminium trailing arm to the point of breaking it. Supporting the bolt on the outer edge is my plan of action. I made the bracket to bolt to the back of the sway bar arm with the bottom damper bottom passing through it. Then I have a flat piece of steel going up to the middle/end of the trailing arm which will be bolted in place to stop down/rear movement. Also I'm now thinking of a locking plate to go around the damper bolt head to stop the bolt working loose.

I found the bolt needs tightening after a few stages so I think my mistake was on the Sunday I was having such a good time I didn't check the bolts so I think they worked themselfs out and bent. I know this for sure on the left rear because the bend was about 1/2" after the damper bush. The problem is in Costa Rica bolts like this are not available so i'll have to wait to I return in July.

 

I'm going to bolt a spanner type bracket over the bolt to stop it turning and coming out.

 

Came back to the US with a wicked virus which has grounded me this week. I went to the doc's for tests. It seems a monkey is most likely to blame! I'm hoping to be well by the weekend for my bike test.

 

Thanks...no more sharing beers for sure. Those monkeys are in for it when I get back

 

you may also have noticed more crazy posts from me today due to the fever!

 

I could have done that but I found the wire after the black box so it was quicker to splice in there.

Next week I start the epic gearbox build. I have all the parts and the casing has been welded with some extra metal. A big thanks to Emini parts for the parts I picked up today.

 

there is talk of building the roof from scratch????? I thought this was Costa Rica not India! hahaha words fail me.

 

Seems the roof went AWOL???? Mmmm nothing I can sort until I get there on Jan 4th, no worries as the glass is not showing up until Jan 25th. While I have time I'm trying to sort the suspension and gearset for the future. rs-X // racing solutions do a straight cut gear set for the MA box for $1500 and I think I can get some STI gravel inserts for the front for $150 each. Then I need to sort the rear. All in good time. A Mini owner just shipped a complete Midlands for the cost of the shipping only. cooooool

Next visit to CR will be bags packed of stuff to sell. 2015 the Mini will be back better than before. I'm also on the hunt for new sponsors. We can do it!

 

didn't Gary Glitter get busted for that?

 

depends on what I can find used at a good price. Most likely I'll go with the WRX again but raked more like the Lancia.

I did watch Rally GB and one of the Polo's lost the rear spoiler which made the car handle really bad. So those WRC spoilers do work.