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Must I Change My Front Donuts?


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#1 Jimbob98

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Posted 18 January 2017 - 08:24 PM

Hi I've stripped my subframe to overhaul it, the donuts appear to be in good condition, they come out with not to much trouble, therefore seem to be not too squashed. I'm changing to hi los and would like to avoid spending funds I don't need to. I guess I'm asking would it be crazy to re use the donuts on a resto, it's a 81 mini city

Tia james

#2 greenmini1275

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Posted 18 January 2017 - 08:29 PM

If they are the original ones it might be an idea, but if they're doing they're job, probably not. If you fit new ones the ride height may not be what you want, at least if you don't lower the hi los.

#3 Jimbob98

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Posted 18 January 2017 - 09:14 PM

Thanks for the reply, because I've never drove the car for any distance I'm not sure if it drives ok.
I'd hate to build the car up, to then have to change them.
Decisions decisions

#4 Carlos W

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Posted 18 January 2017 - 09:22 PM

Change them

#5 Northernpower

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Posted 18 January 2017 - 09:35 PM

I made the mistake of not changing mine and regretted it. Change them when its easy; you'll regret it if you don't.

#6 Marco1972

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Posted 18 January 2017 - 10:04 PM

As above

Change them it's not the easiest job to do when the subframe is back on the car

#7 1984mini25

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Posted 18 January 2017 - 10:13 PM

Of course they will look fine, that's because they aren't compresses and have the full weight of the car and engine on them. The rubber cones have a usable life of around of around 10 years max. So if they are 36 year old originals, or even if they have been replaced unless fairly recently, they could still be nearing 15 to 20 years old. Also don't go for the cheaper non-genuine ones to save money, you will be buying genuine ones in a few months time after the cheap ones have collapsed and failed.



#8 Tupers

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Posted 18 January 2017 - 10:23 PM

To be honest they're never that hard to remove as long as the alloy trumpet isn't seized on.

What do they look like compared to these? The one of the left is new VS the one of the right which was about 30 years old.

IMG_6801.jpg

#9 1984mini25

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Posted 18 January 2017 - 10:29 PM

Its not just if they are too squished though, as the rubber hardens with age.



#10 tiger99

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Posted 18 January 2017 - 11:43 PM

Exactly! And springing that is too hard is as bad for handling and roadholding that those that are too soft, as well as doing the occupants and the subframe, shell and suspension components no good at all.

 

The other things that should ALWAYS be changed when the suspension is apart are the knuckle joints, which are cheap, and result in rather expensive damage if they are allowed to wear out.



#11 Northernpower

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Posted 18 January 2017 - 11:49 PM

Plus one on the knuckle joints, I've found the rubber on the Delphi ones from my local motor factor to be very good.

#12 carbon

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Posted 19 January 2017 - 05:47 PM

Its not just if they are too squished though, as the rubber hardens with age.

 

I think the pre-76 mini donuts may have been made originally with a stiffer rubber. Also early donuts are not as tall as the later ones, this changed some time in the 80's?

 

If you want a really firm ride try putting pre-76 donuts together with the original Hi-Los!



#13 1984mini25

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Posted 19 January 2017 - 05:57 PM

 

Its not just if they are too squished though, as the rubber hardens with age.

 

I think the pre-76 mini donuts may have been made originally with a stiffer rubber. Also early donuts are not as tall as the later ones, this changed some time in the 80's?

 

If you want a really firm ride try putting pre-76 donuts together with the original Hi-Los!

 

 

If you want a really firm ride, try 20 plus year old knackered donuts and hi-lows wound right down so the front top arms are on the bump stops.



#14 tiger99

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Posted 21 January 2017 - 03:15 PM

Now that should really make your teeth fall out!

😆

#15 Jimbob98

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Posted 21 January 2017 - 08:13 PM

So I bit the bullet and bought donuts, knuckle joints and hi lo's. thanks for all the replies, looking at the pics from tupers mine were shot.

Thanks james




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