Front lower rebound check

[jagnut66]

Hi,
I just wondered if anyone has had any trouble with replacement front lower rebound check straps?
Specifically the shape of the bracket that the rubber sits on.
I bought one a while back as a spare because I had heard that through time / wear the rubber will separate from its mounting bracket. Sure enough it happened this week and when I came to fit the replacement one the bracket would not fit properly, it was the wrong shape and wouldn't line up with the holes (this was originally sourced from a well known reputable supplier - but too long ago to simply get an exchange).
I tried reshaping the bracket but it still wouldn't line up or sit properly. In the end I put the old mounting bracket back on with a bit of firm grey foam fixed to it as a temporary measure.
I will now need to source another replacement, it has crossed my mind to remove the new rubber from the new ill fitting bracket and araldite it to the old bracket (nice chunky metal incidentally as opposed to the new thin stuff), or do people think that would be a waste of time?
Best wishes,
Mike.

[chesney]

What I did was bolt the new rebound stop to the old one and leave it for 15 mins (need a vice to get the shape around right)
The old is at least twice as thick, so won't bend, but the new one will
Worked for me.

[les]

At the risk of telling you what you may already know, the bracket has part of it bolted from the back of the inner wing, with the other end bolting from the front, requiring the bracket to pass through the inner wing.This arrangement threw me at one time and might possibly be why the bracket looks the wrong shape, when offering it up. Although if you've refitted the old bracket you would probably have sussed that out!

[chesney]

The new ones are an imitation at best - they are way out!

[les]

They quite likely are rubbish, although the one I bought was the right shape but too thin!

[bmcecosse]

I believe it's not unknown to take the rubber off the new one - and glue it to the old one........

[kennatt]

did mine a few weeks ago,miles out had to bend and twist to get them on,typical rubbish parts that we all have to put up with,will get steadily worse when, they copy the copy the copy ......

[chesney]

Just keep the originals - and bolt them up! It works!

[bmcecosse]

Only if it still has the rubber pad attached...

[chesney]

Only if it still has the rubber pad attached...

How would the rubber affect the shape of them?
I meant bolt the new ones to the old - fit lovely and saves half an hour messing about with a vice or pliers.
It works ;)

[jagnut66]

the bracket has part of it bolted from the back of the inner wing, with the other end bolting from the front, requiring the bracket to pass through the inner wing

Hi,
Yes, sussed that bit of the puzzle but then found that it was out of shape.............

I believe it's not unknown to take the rubber off the new one - and glue it to the old one........

Thanks for that bit of info (the old rubber has come adrift in transit and disapeared), given me the confidence to have a go, araldite it is then............ unless anyone knows of a more suitable adhesive for this job?

I've also based this decision on all the other comments here, which seem to sum up as the new replacements that are available are a load of rubbish!
Many thanks to all.
Best wishes,
Mike.

[bmcecosse]

Or - buy a Mini exhaust 'bobbin' hanger - cut it in half through the rubber - and voila - two new rubber pads with stud attached to bolt through the old steel support.........

[les]

I was unlucky with the glue method, ended up using 2 small screws .

[jagnut66]

Or - buy a Mini exhaust 'bobbin' hanger - cut it in half through the rubber - and voila - two new rubber pads with stud attached to bolt through the old steel support.........

I was unlucky with the glue method, ended up using 2 small screws .

A problem that was nagging me, so I've gone with bmcecosse's latest suggestion and, having looked at them on the site, bought two Mini exhaust bobbins from the 'Mini Sport' site, just £9.12 including VAT and postage. I shall cut them in half, fit one and have three spares!!

Thanks,
Mike.

[les]

Good idea! I presume you will just drill one hole for the stud and hold in place with a nut. Might be worth checking exactly where the shock absorber arm goes, as it hits the stop at an angle it may need the Mini bobbin ( which is a bit smaller) fitting slightly off centre on the bracket.

[les]

Typed my first sentence without realizing Roy had suggested it already!

[bmcecosse]

Crikey - that's expensive! Usually £1 each, but even on ebay - half that price.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Mini- ... 2a25a0813c

[jagnut66]

Crikey - that's expensive! Usually £1 each, but even on ebay - half that price...

Oh, well, bought them now............

Good idea! I presume you will just drill one hole for the stud and hold in place with a nut. Might be worth checking exactly where the shock absorber arm goes, as it hits the stop at an angle it may need the Mini bobbin ( which is a bit smaller) fitting slightly off centre on the bracket.

Hole in bracket, nut and washer, yes.
I shall have to work out the exact position when I come to fit it and report back.
Best wishes,
Mike.

[jagnut66]

Hi,
Well this is now made up and fitted using a Mini exhaust bobbin and the original bracket, as decided earlier.
Unfortunately I couldn't get two mounting rubbers out of one bobbin as they would have been too thin, so I cut them just below the metal fixing plate on one side, as shown below:[frame][/frame]
This made them pretty much the same thickness as the original. I then drilled a hole in the fixing bracket, very slightly off centre:
[frame][/frame]
I then bolted my new home made bump stop into place, you will notice the fact that it sits to one side of the bracket, once on the car you will see how this makes sense, as the shock absorber arm is angled towards the rear of the car.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
I then sprayed on a coating of underbody seal / waxoil and I was done.
Until the next one goes...........................
Best wishes,
Mike.

[oddbod]

Tidy job, thanks for the photos, I'm sure this will be of great help to loads of us who keep 'em going!!