[02midevil]

My 2006 Mini seems to be cracking windshields every year. It is cracking in the middle at the bottom (winter months may be a culprit since defroster is in the middle). This seems to be a problem with the Mini and my dealer was great the first time but I haven't called today yet.

My educated (or is that uneducated) guess is that the car is flexing.

So it seems that my first thought was to fab up some subframe connectors. I don't think I can tie the left and right side togather ethier in an X and maybe not even with one bar across from side to side.

They sell strut tower braces (which would be less than 2 feet from the windshield) and rear braces that go right behind the rear seat.

Any further insight (esp from the master fabricator Blaine)?




The metal and welding would be cheaper for me than buying strut tower brace and rear brace, I'm tempted to try the cheap one and then go to spending on aftermarket goodies.

And for the record this car is driven by my wife (who thinks 55 in a 65 zone is speeding) and not me that I have been known to try getting it on 3 wheels (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) . I also take great care when changing tires to jack up only one wheel at a time and not more than 1/2 inch or so to remove the tire and remove quickly, unlike the camaro when I jack up from the sub frame connector and do one side a mile in the air.

Also I know the lil dink box will probably be gone in 5 years but I still want to TRY to keep it for my lifetime.

[Blainefab]

My 2006 Mini seems to be cracking windshields every year.
My educated (or is that uneducated) guess is that the car is flexing.

So it seems that my first thought was to fab up some subframe connectors.

They sell strut tower braces (which would be less than 2 feet from the windshield) and rear braces that go right behind the rear seat.

Any further insight (esp from the master fabricator Blaine)?


And for the record this car is driven by my wife (who thinks 55 in a 65 zone is speeding) and not me

I googled 'mini crack windshield' and yes, there is a problem ;-) I have a local customer who tracks a Mini with R rubber, I'll ask him if he has had/fixed this problem.

Have you checked the cost of zero deductible comphehensive coverage? It's not very expensive for me from State Farm.

[Blainefab]

I googled 'mini crack windshield' and yes, there is a problem ;-) I have a local customer who tracks a Mini with R rubber, I'll ask him if he has had/fixed this problem.

He got back to me - He's on his 3rd one and he has no solution other than suggest the PPG brand windshield- it is supposed to be thicker than others. He has not tried any chassis reinforcement.

Are there any underhood braces that tie the fenders/strut towers back to the middle of the cowl? If so are they removable?