So after finishing a lot of work on my mini over the month I took it in to get an alignment and they said they couldn't do it because they ran out of adjustments on the toe and the steering wheel would be off by a lot. They told me the engine cradle shafted or that it's been crashed. It hasn't been crashed the steering was good until I swapped out the inner and outer tie rods.


What could be wrong?

All work I did to it:

Had to remove head to replace a burnt valve
Replaced front struts and springs
Replaced rear shocks
Front and rear brake and rotors
Inner and outer tie rods
Front cv axles


Also another question my e brake doesn't engage. It was loose before but now I tightened the bolt under the hand brake and tighter now but it doesn't stop the car. The ship told me the brakes are burning up on the back. It might be the right one since the piston was stuck when I changed the brakes but I got it loose

Thanks in advance for the help

 

Couple thoughts:
1. When you did all the suspension work, specifically the tie rods you may not have the steering rack centered up and the alignment shop either doesn't want to take the time to do that or they don't realize it and just assumed it was pretty well adjusted and an accident placed it all out of spec.
2. something else didn't go back together quite right when you replaced the struts/springs and or CV axes.

Some thoughts/stuff to try
1. Get the front wheels on ramps.
2. Inspect struts going into the knuckles - did they go all the way in

Remove and replace the tie rods
1. Remove the tie rods.
2. Center the steering rack in its travel. Count the turns end for end with the steering wheel to check.
3. Replace the tie rods - initially so that a equal number of threads remain on either side.
4. Adjust them until the distance of the front inside of the wheels matches the back inside distance. Use a tape measure.
5. The steering wheel shouldn't be that far off center but if it is remove it and replace it so it is centered - careful of the airbag when you remove it, OR don't remove it and take it that way to the next alignment shop you try.

Good Luck
Bruce

 

Thank you Bruce I forgot to mention I had to replace both steering knuckles because the pinch bolt broke on both of them. I bought used ones from a junk yard

 

If a good alignment shop can't figure it out, take it somewhere else. Mini's only have one adjustment you can make on the front suspension....toe. There is no caster, not camber adjustments....only toe.

Is there a chance that you installed the wrong tie rod ends? Maybe they are longer or shorter than the OEM ones? A good alignment guy should be able to look at it and tell you whats going on pretty quickly.

 

I'll try a different shop ive. Had trouble with them before

Thank you sir