22 replies to this topic

[AntsClubby]

Hey,
Can i use a solid upper mount (where the big bolt goes through) and then use a poly bush for the lower fixing where the top of the subframe turret meets the underside of crossmember?
Its a 1980 clubby by the way

Ive heard yes, no, should be ok...any definitive answer?

Im using solid teardrops on the front and poly rear lower mountings/bushes

Cheers

[Cooperman]

No. You need to use all-solid mounts.

[abe46]

As cooperman said, use all solid mounts. A mix will cause cracking most likely at the floor mounts if they are poly and rest are solid.

[AntsClubby]

I was just talking about the ones for the top of the subframe...can i not use any poly at all then if the tops are solid?
I was advised by mini spares to buy solid tops, solid teardrops and pu bottoms! They said it makes it still feel tight but wont be bone shaking!

Should i buy new solid lowers then or just go all pu?
Cheers

[Cooperman]

No, go all solid. That is how the Mini was designed to be and how it drives the best. That is how all the Cooper and Cooper 'S' cars were manufactured.
The plastic mounts are neither one thing nor the other. Solid mounts do not make it bone-shaking at all, they make it super to drive.

[AntsClubby]

Solid allround it is then! Thanks for that.
Ill be having a word with mini spares now...glad i asked though!
Cheers

[samsfern]

Nope. Go all solid.

[Cooperman]

Solid allround it is then! Thanks for that.
Ill be having a word with mini spares now...glad i asked though!
Cheers

I was out in my Grandson's 1997 Cooper MPI the other day and that has all-solid mounts, poly lower arm offset bushes and new tie-bar front rubbers. It just feels so crisp to drive and it's a pleasure to drive briskly along the twisty B-roads. The suspension nhas been set accurately and he has KYB Gas-Adjust dampers. In fact it's the nicest driving road Mini I've driven for a long time and it has no rattles. Very smooth cruise at 75 mph indicated on the M11 too.

[AntsClubby]

Ive bought new cones, new hilos front and rear, -1.5deg lower arms, tie rods and full bush kit inc those offset ones with the little bit of metal inside...did you help set it up?
Im thinking as its a full rebuild to just do it all tight but not torqued up until its setup by prof.
Is that ok to do if you understand what im trying to say?
Hopefully mine will be as nice to drive as your grandsons )

[Cooperman]

It will be great when done.
Can I suggest that you check and replace as necessary the track rod ends. With neg arms you need the long ones.
We didn't fit 1.5 neg arms as it's a road car at standard ride height. I use 1.5 neg on my rally cars, but they have slightly raised suspension.
I just fit the offset bushes to push the bottom of the lower arms as far out as they'll go and find that really works well.
Set 1 mm toe out on the front and 3.5 degs caster on the front, with 1 mm to 2 mm toe-in on the back with zero to 0.5 degs negative camber on the rear. Slightly stiffer dampers will make it superb.

[AntsClubby]

Im not really aiming to build a race car, id like to do some trackdays though...are -1.5 arms not really suited to a road car then? Have i gone abit overkill?ha! They came as part of a geometry kit along with my green spax adj dampers (std height not lowered)

[Cooperman]

1.5 negs are fine and you'll have great road-holding and good handling once it's all set up nicely. Use the offset bushes to take out the manufacturing tolerances in the sub-frame.
The only time 1.5 heg front setting is too much seems to be with very wide tyres, like 175 section width, with very low-profiles like 50%, on the ordinary roads. With 165 section tyres the 1.5 deg neg will be very good.
Sounds like you have a good kit there.

[AntsClubby]

Ah...i was planning to fit either 6x12 or 7x13 alleycats...might i run into some problems then?
Thanks again for all your help

[jaydee]

My own preference in terms of handling/drivability etc is 4,5j
I dont get why the rover minilites are so underrated..

[AntsClubby]

I just really like the look of the alleycats on a clubby, id buy them in 5" if they were av...plus ive bought gp5 race arches now, i could return them i suppose but if im really honest unless its for a "special" reason im not a fan of skinny tyres.
Im after a fat, mean look if thats poss with a cutie mini!lol fat tyres and wide arches are a must for me )

What do others use when running 6/7" alloys?
Cheers