27 replies to this topic

[iDemonix]

Does the entire suspension assembly (doughnut, hi-lo, bar, knuckle, cup) just kind of sit in place? Rather than screw in or bolt in.

I'd hate to have the arches moved, they're riveted in place and would be a nightmare to move, but as I said, even if the arches are a problem, the rear is still too low regardless and needs raising.

[bmcecosse]

I explained earlier how to raise it, did you read it?? You only need a washer! Total cost ~ 10P at worst. But yes - if on stripping down you find the ball end (aka knuckle joint) is badly worn, then certainly fit new ones - along with new nylon cups in the trailing arm.

Edited by bmcecosse, 27 May 2012 - 02:28 PM.

[iDemonix]

I realise I could just use washers but I'm interested in giving it a good overhaul, great peace of mind and I can adjust the height if I ever have to carry a heavy load. My only question now is where do I get the long bar as minispares have discontinued selling it?

[Tupers]

Why don't you buy a complete set of Hi Los? If you want you give the suspension an overhaul what not do the front as well?

[iDemonix]

Well because at some point this year I'll be putting the manual 1275 in on a manual subframe, so would be easier to just wait until then rather than put the new suspension in the front subframe and then a month or two later have to swap it over.


Can someone tell me if buying the following would give me an overhaul and will all fit together:

Hi-Lo's
http://www.ebay.co.u...#ht_1887wt_1161

Damper's
http://www.ebay.co.u...9#ht_1101wt_986

Rubber cones/doughnuts (I can collect these as it's 5 miles away)
http://www.ebay.co.u...74#ht_500wt_986

Knuckle's
http://www.ebay.co.u...e#ht_1035wt_986

Knuckle cup's
http://www.ebay.co.u...50#ht_500wt_986

Cheers

Would come to about £205, not too bad I think?

Edited by iDemonix, 27 May 2012 - 05:40 PM.

[Tupers]

You wont need the separate knuckle cups as they come with the complete knuckle you linked to. Other than I'd say you've got everything you need so long as you don't brake anything while swapping parts over.

You'll have to remove the fuel tank to get at the N/S top shock mount. When you do it'd be wroth cutting a hole in your seat back so that in the future you only need to remove the rear seat to get to the top of the shock.

Edited by Tupers, 27 May 2012 - 05:55 PM.

[iDemonix]

Yeah I saw someone else mention the cutting a hole idea. It's a good idea but I don't have an angle grinder or anything that could cut through it well, maybe I'll do it in future when my tool set is more advanced.

Ok, no cups, even better.

I'm going to order all of that stuff tonight and hopefully have a bash at fitting it this week, probably the biggest job I've ever done on a car!

[bmcecosse]

You will never bother to change the rear height - it's a waste of money. Set the height with washers - new dampers certainly, and new ball ends. Simples! Save the cash for something useful like new front dampers and a set of poly bushes...........

[iDemonix]

I get what you're saying but the rubbers are 24 years old and I'd like to replace them for peace of mind, it's not much more money to do hi-lo's so might as well do them for the sake of doing it all in one go. By ball ends do you mean knuckles?

[bmcecosse]

Rubber cones - yes if knackered. Hi-ho's - waste of money..... Ball ends aka knuckle joints (frankly I can't see how they in any way look like 'knuckles'........

[iDemonix]

That's what confused me a lot when I was first trying to figure out how it worked, I expected it to look like a 90 degree kind of part.

Well I know you're against hi-lo's but if I'm doing every other part then I'll just do the hi-lo's too for the sake of it. I know you say I'd never change the height but it'd be nice for when I do road trips with my mates, 4 lads equipped with luggage is going to put some strain on the old springs! And as said the arches aren't perfect, so be nice to just jack it up, raise it and drop the car back down.

I'm not going to by a kit for front/back as you only save a few £, so I'll just wait until the time comes for a new subframe and the engine swap.

I appreciate everyones input, I'm now going to buy everything I listed above, except the cups.

Penultimate question: Should I lather everything in grease? I'm assuming I can just pack the cups with standard grease, is it worth greasing any part of the cones, and if so, assuming I should use red rubber grease?

Last question: Should the shocks I link just slide straight on or do I need some form of bushings?

[iDemonix]

Ordered all the above, my wallet hurts

[Deathrow]

You could have just refitted your arch extensions .