Help please

[katie]

Just wondered if any one can help me with this.

I just took Tootle out for a spin (only the second one since the Winter) and noticed before I set off that she seems to look lower over the wheel arches on the drivers side? She is about an inch clear of the wheel arches and isnt makling contact with anything at the mo.

The passenger side wheel arches look high and well clear of the wheels. (she has always been a bit like this).

Any ideas why this could be? Am I ok to keep driving her or could I be damaging things if I do ? Where can I go to get it checked out? I have tried Target minis today but they are not there till Monday and I dont want to leave it that long if I can help it cos she may drop lower and be undriveable cos shes making contact with the front wheel by then. Would really appreciate some advice ...arrrrgggghhhhh Minis

[dai9fxey]

Make sure the Mini is on reasonably flat ground then check the clearances with the wheel arches etc.
Have you got HI-LO suspension units fitted.?
The main cause of this problem is usually tired doughnuts which are tucked up inside the subframe towers.
Another possible cause could be the metal seating ring around the rubber doughnut has rusted and or split.
It is just possible to see the metal ring through a gap in the front subframe tower.
Hope this helps, a bit.

[katie]

Thanks for that info Dai .Dont think she has got the HI-LO suspension units ? ( if they are the adjustable ones you can pump up and down when needed? ) At least now I know what it could be. Have parked up on level ground and it doesnt look as bad but will still get it checked out when I find somewhere to go with it. Shes never been especially level and it just looks a bit odd and also for safety reasons I will go and get peace of mind I think. Thanks again .

[dai9fxey]

The only other thing that could be causing the height issue is a worn Knuckle Joint or rather the nylon seating it sits in.
Regarding the split / rusted steel ring around the top of the doughnut, it's rare for these to give up, but i have seen it on older Minis.