In 1984 12″ wheels became standard on the Mini and this necessitated changes to several small details. One change was to include a thick washer under the knuckle joint (21A1845). This raised the suspension a little in order to gain wheel clearance and suspension travel. Another change to gain wheel clearance was the insertion of packing behind the teardrop mounts. In 1990 Rover introduced a front knuckle joint that had this spacer already built in. This made assembly faster and also prevented mechanics losing the spacer when repairing the front suspension and completely messing up Mini ride heights when they failed to notice that one side was lower than the other!
If the car’s suspension has suddenly dropped, or there is a loud squeeking noise during suspension movement, then the knuckles are one of the first things to be checked. If left unchecked, the knuckle can wear through the nylon cup into the suspension arm thereby ruining the casting that supports the knuckle joint. Unfortunately, there are many copies of this vital part on the spares market and many have been reverse engineered using inferior techniques and materials. They tend not to last very long!
Mini Spares now offers British made round metal knuckle joints that are produced to the original drawings and manufactured from the correct EN24T material. The pin and cup shape are also faithful to the genuine original joint, but additional protection is provided by an upgraded poly boot gaitor.
The Mini Spares Front Knuckle Joint is suitable for later cars (1990 onwards) that had a built-in spacer for extra ride height clearance at the front and can be ordered as part number GSV1264EVO at £8.10 including VAT – much cheaper than changing the suspension arms!
Also available: Mini Spares Knuckle Joint for rear: GSV1118EVO. £5.40 inc. VAT.
For more details contact Mini Spares on
+44 1707 607700 or visit their website: www.minispares.com
