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Is there anybody who could give some guidance on checking how square my bodyshell is without putting on a professional jig? The rear end looks like it has had a modest clout in the past and the boot floor has had some awful patches welded to the passenger side along with a pretty nasty repair panel overlaid across the rearmost 8 inches. The rear arches were replaced at the same time which essentially don't look horrendous as they never got finished.
I would like some datum points and measurements in order that I can check all is hunky dory before I embark on removing the bodged repairs. My main concern is that the rear subframe sits squarely ie in line with the front. I do have a very nice Cooper S which I could use as a 'jig' for measurements BTW although this is a roadworthy car so I would prefer not to have to dismantle it. Cheers. Mark

mark


fit both the frames (so you have something solid to hook string / tape measures onto, tip the shell on its side and you can then measure from rear left to front right, plus may other combinations

ive made some 'bars' that very accuratly bolt to the very front of the front frame, the rear legs of the front frame (both to give a clear, flat datum point) and a pair of tubes, one which attaches to the rack mounts (which can be used with frame in place), the other which bolts to the heel board (less the frame).

with some serious pulling etc, my stripy shell now has a varience of less than a 1/16" front to back. (which is actually only in the rear frame, as from the front of the rear frame forwards its bang on)

by triangulating upwards you can check for twist as well

Anyone know who has a jig with the correct bits for a Mini - and how much it might cost (ballpark) to have a chassis checked/jigged?

sandman wrote:Anyone know who has a jig with the correct bits for a Mini - and how much it might cost (ballpark) to have a chassis checked/jigged?

ian slark (brains son) has all the gear, and knows how to use it. he does a lot of the mighty mini shells and is well respected

Sounds good. TA Rich.

Any idea how much this might cost? £300? £500? £1500?

Got any contact info?

Many thanks Tim!

Brilliant response folks. Thanks. If anybody would like to help out I would be happy to add this as a feature on the how to do it section. Cheers. Mark

You may already have these diagrams



and



The Horizontal checks can be done in a home garage easily, as long as you have a fairly flat floor. Get the body on some stands so that the floor pan is as level as possible, then using a plumb bob mark all the subframe mounting points on the floor (I put some wide masking tape down), then remove the body and with an assistant, check all the measurements diagonally. Take plenty of time plot them down and measuring them, write it all down on a sketch.

The Vertical Measurements are considerably harder to do without the right gear.