would like some feedback from those experienced with the front suspension/alignment.
I slid into a curb a few weeks ago in the snow and bent the driver side wheel, rotor, control arm, sway link and pitman arm.
I replaced all bent components with new including the inner and outer ball joints and control arm bushing. While I had the sub frame out,
I also replaced the same on the right side except the control arm.
Put everything back together and all looks fine except for one thing.
The driver side tire sticks out beyond the top of the body wheel arch which I believe translates to positive camber.
Putting a 2 foot level vertically on the outside of the wheel shows an out of plumb by 2 inches away from the engine at the top.
To compare, the right side shows almost plumb with a small tilt toward the engine which translates to a small negative camber.
I have not taken it in for an alignment yet because this scenerio is bothering me and I am not convinced it is OK.
So I took the left wheel, caliper and rotor off and looked very closly for a bent or cracked strut, hub or steering nuckle casting. There is nothing that appears bent out of shape or cracked.
Any suggestions.

 

new wheel carrier. Also had to order a new ABS sensor because the old one was siezed in the wheel carrier and I destroyed it try to take it out.
Also, the pinch bolt hex head broke off as the bolt was siezed. Had to use a sawsall to cut the bolt in the middle so the strut could come out.

I inspected the carrier but I still could not tell if if was bent. Had nothing to compare it against. I will advise if the new carrier was the problem when the new one comes in.

Also, I noticed my strut tower are mushroomed. the driver looks worse than the passenger side. guess I need to shop for some stiffeners as well.

This is the joy of owning a mini. however, the joy of driving a mini beats the hassle to fix it. Few cars give you this much pleasure unless you spend lots of money (like a porsche or bmw) but then even they require just as much fixing and even more money. Ask me how I know.

 

Purchased a new carrier at the dealer for $240, installed it and original camber is restored. All is well. The car handles fantastic with all the new bushings and ball joints even with the alignment not done yet.
Boy, it seems it is not hard to bend that cast iron carrier.
Upper strut mount also replaced and mushroomed tower hammered down flat.
Apparently, the total repair is not complete as there now seems to be a rumble comming from the left front when I drove it today and it is speed sensitive. I guess the bearing hub is also shot. I ordered that online tonight because the dealer wanted $360 ea..
After all is said and done, hitting the the side of the curb cost me $1300 in parts (some purchased online and some at the dealer) and 0$ in labour except for the $65 front alignment.
My advise to everyone who owns a Mini. do not slide into curbs, it will cost you dearly.
This forum was very informative in helping me repair my Mini. In fact, it was essential as I learned from other peoples experience and it did not require me to purchase the bentley manual yet. But I should anyway.
The car is very easy to repair and manage.. so small. especially when I compare it to my BMW 740.

 

looking at SKD and Febi front hub bearing.
Febi's are $40 cheaper.
Would anyone know if the FEBI's are good or not vs the SKD's.

 

I would look at the source of manufacture, if made in China do not buy it.

I'm not China bashing here, I've had poor experiences with Chinese made industrial bearings. They make a lot of stuff well there, but bearings seem to be hit or miss right now, I'd spend the extra money and stay away from them.