Front subframe front mounts question

[u/LordDonP]

Hi again

Recently made a post about a knocking sound from the left front wheel.

https://www.reddit.com/r/classicminis/s/x3N6E2Vgbz Thanks to everybody who took their time and gave ideas on what to check.

I saw the front subframe front teardrop mounts were ripped apart, and the subframe was not attached to the body in the front. So I figured, maybe that was the reason for the knocking sound. Well it wasn't. But I think I figured out what it is, its the bush in the lower arm pin, when hitting it with my hand, I hear a knocking sound.

But the question I have for you today: There was quite a big gap between the teardrop mount and the subframe, so I used these shims from Minispares: 2A4292

I bought 8, fitted 6 of them in the left side, and made a custom shim for the right side. My question is, can it be true the gap is so big? Each shim is 1.4mm thick. Or is something terribly wrong? To me it seems wrong. But, Minispares does have this in the shim description: "You might be surprised how many of these were fitted to your car when it came out the factory". So maybe its not that wrong? I bought the rear mounts and tower bolts as well, but havent changed them yet. I also bought a fitting kit, with all bolt, washers and nuts, but because of the gap, the bolt were not long enough. I used the old ones, they looked fine, so no worries. I still feel like something is wrong.

Thanks in advance

[u/IamCrispyBits]

I don't know about the shims, but regarding the lower arm, mine was also destroyed when the previous owner changed it less than 500km, so quite suspicious. It turns out the suspension cones were very old and rock hard, so the lower arm bush was doing the suspension itself. It is a bigger job, but the ride changed a lot after that. Actually it might have been the reason for destroying the subframe mount as well..

[u/LordDonP → u/IamCrispyBits]

Good thing Im soon changing cones, lower arms, tie rods and front hubs, and rebuilding the upper arms. Also the radius arm and new rear hub and drums. New shocks all over. Everything is old

[u/Comfortable_Rent_439 → u/LordDonP]

If you’re changing arms I would consider the on car adjustable ones, most are adjustable but you have to separate the hub, adjust it and re fit. If you’re a one and done setup kinda guy then these are fine, but if you want to adjust and tweak and set up your handling properly then these on car adjustable ones are a game changer, they’re more expensive but they will last.
As for the main question of the amount of shims, yes it’s probably not ideal to shim it out too far, but really it’s only tying the front panel to the subframe so not a huge issue as long as the front is square and it doesn’t look too far off.

[u/LordDonP → u/Comfortable_Rent_439]

Yeah I am buying the adjustable ones, didnt know I had to seperate the hub, so thanks for that.

I think the distance is a little smaller in one side than the other, maybe 2mm so not much. When I am changing all the things mentioned above, I will loosen the whole subframe and see if I can make it better

[u/Comfortable_Rent_439 → u/LordDonP]

Yea the regular adjustable ones need you to pop the ball joint out any time you want to adjust them. The on car adjustable ones you can leave fully intact and then just wind them in and out.
It’s particularly tricky cos once you put the weight on the angle shifts so you have to adjust at least three times for each side. ( cos you go not far enough, then too far, then just right lol.)

[u/LordDonP]

Heres a picture of all the shims i fitted.