A few days ago I noticed that my front rear subframe mount on the offside was broken, and I have been getting a bit worried that something might go quite very wrong on the trip to London or to Brighton (or both). Last night I took a look at it and from what it looks like without jacking the car up, it looks as if the subframe has broken! I was not happy, however, after jacking the car up and taking a closer look, the original subframe mount is held on with 4 bolts & nuts in total, two which attach to the subframe & two which go through the floor. I WD40′ed and carefully removed the two mount-to-subframe bolts, and released that in fact it was only the mount that had broken. Fortunately, I bought myself a solid front subframe kit ages ago, and I decided to try and fit the front rear subframe mount from that kit, just replacing this one mount. It took a little over half an hour to do the lot! Very happy that it went on all OK, and it took so little time. No funny business with supporting the car with the sump or anything, just jacked up at the normal subframe jacking point & replaced! Easy! Only thing I might find is a problem is the fact that the solid subframe mounts are a lot thinner than the original (since they have no rubber packing) so the car might act a bit sideways and funny, so I may have to do the other side as well to make both sides equal. If I do, then I may write this up properlly including photo’s.





20 May 2006 at 8:58 am
I thought mini’s always had Subframe problems. Thats what puts me off getting one when I drive.
Is this a rumor or often the case?
20 May 2006 at 9:02 am
Hm, debatable. If you don’t maintain the engine & subframe mounts then its gunna get problems. I haven’t touched the subframe mounts on my car scince I bought it (1 n half years ago) so I guess its fair enough. Goes for anything though really.
Oh, update as well, she drives SO much better now!!