My Vtec Cooper

[Oz]

The SAE rear trailing arms are perfect

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Next job is to recon the trailing arms with new bearings, bushes and pivot shafts.

If you squint really hard you can almost convince yourself that it's nearly ready lol

[Oz]

Getting around to getting the rear suspension sorted so refitted the rear subframe to check wheel clearance and how they fit under the new rear arches. The Watsons spacers don't really push the wheels out to match the Mini's front to rear track when using the Metro frame. I have an old set of SAE rear trailing arms that have an 85mm spacer behind the brake drum so next job is to try one of these and see if this give the extra width but not stick out too far. I have a feeling they'll be a bit too wide but I'll only know if I try!

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Hopefully get one fitted next weekend

[Oz]

Getting a few little jobs done. I couldn't help just balancing a wheel in the rear arch just to give myself a bit of motivation lol

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[Oz]

lol no worries mate

[Minicooper]

Hello Oz sorry about that, I don't remember that at all

Right after reading the previous answer I now do remember my previous thread, thanks for the information

Cheers
David

[Oz]

Hello Oz,
What lift have you got and would you recommend it?

Cheers
David

Hi mate, you asked me what lift it is was on the previous page see posts 403 & 404

Would I recommend it? I depends on what you want to achieve. For the cost it's probably the best value but if you've got a bigger budget I'd say go for the hydraulic mid-rise scissor lift or a set of quick-jacks if you want better access under the floor of the car (although I'm not 100% sure a set of the smallest quick-jacks will fit between the front and rear wheels of a Mini).

My biggest concern with the tilting lift at the moment is that as I have no suspension on (there are no springs on the front and no rear subframe) it is hard to get the car in to position as the idea is to actually lift the rear of the car with the front wheels staying on the ground then tilt the car to the horizontal and lock it in place with a pin. As I have no suspension I have to lift in in stages using jacks and axle stands to keep the car level as it goes up and to stop it over-balancing and tipping fully back or forward and the shell coming off the lift or getting damaged.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2owxoGPGjc

Once in position I also support the car with axle stands as a secondary safety measure for a "just in case" scenario!

[Minicooper]

Hello Oz,
What lift have you got and would you recommend it?

Cheers
David

[Oz]

Some bad photos. Slowly moving forward

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Unfortunately the sun was shining straight in to my garage.

The arches are 4.5 inch Watsons Sportspack lookalikes. She's getting very wide!!!

[Oz]

Getting there with the arches

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[Oz]

Rear arches are a work in progress

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[Minicooper]

Thanks Oz,
I will get one when I get a bit more sorted in the garage

Cheers
David

[Oz]

https://cjautosheywood.co.uk/product...-1-5-ton-cl01/

This is basically the same thing

[Oz]

Hello Oz, I'm looking for a lift similar to what you have, any link for your lift?

Cheers
David

https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/563...pivot-car-lift

They've gone up a lot in price since I bought mine though. There are other places that do similar lifts but I went Sealey because we have a local dealer so I didn't pay any shipping and the other places were too much when shipping was added.

[Oz]

Oz
In what manner is the rear arch a bad fit?

The Arches I had were 4 front arches so the arches, if fitted to the rear don't curve around following the wheel arch line on the body but straighten out so the back of the arch points backwards well past the rear vertical seam between the rear panel and the rear quater panel.

[Minicooper]

Hello Oz, I'm looking for a lift similar to what you have, any link for your lift?

Cheers
David