The rear subframe is now removed and because this is the shell that I will be scrapping, I didn't worry about the effort of disconnecting brake lines, and fittings. I simply cut the solid fuel lines and started removing the subframe.
It's not that hard to remove the subframe. The LHS mounts are under/behind the petrol tank so if it hasn't already been removed, undo the strap holding it down and shift it aside after disconnecting the battery. If there are twin tanks, then you'll have twice the fun! Make sure you plan ahead and have minimal fuel in the tank(s) too.
Once the rear wheels are off and stands have been placed under the MAIN BODY of the Mini just in front of the rear subframe), for each wheel - put a jack under the drum and lift it slightly so it does not drop straight away when you undo the shock absorbers. Get two spanners and remove the nut off the top of each shock absorber. Once the nut reaches near the top of the thread when you can't use both spanners any more, simply hold onto the shock with your hand or a clamp (in the wheel arch) and keep undoing the nut on top of the shock. Once the nut is off, lower the jack and the shock will pop out of it's mount.
Get a wide piece of wood and jack it up along the length or width of the subframe to hold it in place. There are 4 bolts on either side that hold the rear subframe on. Two inside the boot (behind each wheel arch) that bolt down through the boot floor into the subframe, and two horizontal bolts that go through the subframe into the heel board (at the front of each wheel arch).
Undo these 4 bolts on either side via the tried & tested rusty bolt method of "WD40, wait, loosen, tighten, loosen, WD40, wait, loosen, tighten, loosen, ..." You do not want to be shearing bolts at this point.
Once all bolts are removed, slowly lower the jack and pull out the subframe. Ta Da!! FYI - The trumpets & cones can be removed without actually removing the whole subframe. Only the shocks need to removed.
It's not that hard to remove the subframe. The LHS mounts are under/behind the petrol tank so if it hasn't already been removed, undo the strap holding it down and shift it aside after disconnecting the battery. If there are twin tanks, then you'll have twice the fun! Make sure you plan ahead and have minimal fuel in the tank(s) too.
Once the rear wheels are off and stands have been placed under the MAIN BODY of the Mini just in front of the rear subframe), for each wheel - put a jack under the drum and lift it slightly so it does not drop straight away when you undo the shock absorbers. Get two spanners and remove the nut off the top of each shock absorber. Once the nut reaches near the top of the thread when you can't use both spanners any more, simply hold onto the shock with your hand or a clamp (in the wheel arch) and keep undoing the nut on top of the shock. Once the nut is off, lower the jack and the shock will pop out of it's mount.
Get a wide piece of wood and jack it up along the length or width of the subframe to hold it in place. There are 4 bolts on either side that hold the rear subframe on. Two inside the boot (behind each wheel arch) that bolt down through the boot floor into the subframe, and two horizontal bolts that go through the subframe into the heel board (at the front of each wheel arch).
Undo these 4 bolts on either side via the tried & tested rusty bolt method of "WD40, wait, loosen, tighten, loosen, WD40, wait, loosen, tighten, loosen, ..." You do not want to be shearing bolts at this point.
Once all bolts are removed, slowly lower the jack and pull out the subframe. Ta Da!! FYI - The trumpets & cones can be removed without actually removing the whole subframe. Only the shocks need to removed.
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