Towing eyes with a removable front?
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi guys,

Just a quick one:

what are people doing with regards to using towing eyes when a removable front is fitted? I'm off to the ring in 2 weeks time, and want to get a towing eye fitted to the front of the mini, but I've got a carbon fibre front end, with the front resting on pins/studs where the standard type towing eyes usually bolt through the front panel.

I was thinking of using something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6mm-Alloy-Tow-Hook-T...id=p3286.c0.m14

Bolted to the flat under side of the side runners of the front subframe, but would the tie bar mounts get in the way?

Any hints on how other people have fitted towing eyes with a composite front end would be awesome.

This pic (sort of) shows the current setup.....

Mr. Prawn, the friendly Crustacean- slowly making steps towards forced induction.

I have something more like this: (but sturdier)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie..._fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

and intend to holesaw myself a hole in the apron with a captive nut/bolt behind the subframe front rail on one side. Then just screw in/out easy with a spring or serrated washer..
Would like to see an after picture however you go about it.

mines just a small eyebolt each side of the front subby. works well and is neat.

same on the back as well

I have a exhaust hanger on mine bolted through the subframe. It's a bit bent but works a treat!

Cheers guys, Iain, do you mean like a small harness eye bolt? are yours mounted into the bottom of the subby facing downwards? What I'm really after is a way of securing a towing eye that sits just below the front valance really. I think the eye bolt idea sounds neat.

Edited by Prawn on 19th Aug, 2009.

Mr. Prawn, the friendly Crustacean- slowly making steps towards forced induction.

yes, well these are lifting eyebolts but the same thing. being lifting ones you can get them in all different sizes you see. think mine are about 1" in diameter so maybe something like M12 or M16 ones.

i'll get a photo later today of the front and back but yeah, they're mounted into the bottom of the subby facing down, but on the sloped part so it doesnt reduce ground clearance

awesome. that's exactly where I pictured them when you said it. Something around an m12 thread would be perfect. I might do the same on my rear beam to aid strapping the back end down (where do you normally strap with a rear beam!)

Cheers Iain, I'll get some lifting eyes ordered up asap.

Mr. Prawn, the friendly Crustacean- slowly making steps towards forced induction.

http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p14090/S...oduct_info.html

Something like that bolted to the subframe Nick? Could just cable tie the slack up then undo it if it's ever needed?

I thought of those TB, but my issue is, I'm taking a solid tow bar with us in the Audi should I get any more major problems whilst out at the Ring. If it dies, I'd want to tow it back on the solid bar, meaning some form of solid towing eye is needed, rather than a strap. For trackday type use only, a strap would be perfect

Mr. Prawn, the friendly Crustacean- slowly making steps towards forced induction.

This is an internally threaded nut that is secured to the subframe with a 3/8ths UNF bolt

similar to this

On 5th Sep, 2011 Vegard said:
I stand corrected. You should know