12 replies to this topic

[tom]

Right, I'm thinking of beefing up the suspension on my Mayfair. I've had a look around, but I'm not really sure exactly what I'll need, it doesn't seem very clear anywhere.

Assuming that all the original stuff is shagged-out, and I don't have any specialist tools, what exactly will I need to upgrade, and lower my Mini?

A nice list would be most greatly appreciated.

[Dan]

There's loads you can do to the suspension setup, give us a clue what you mean by beefed up.

What do you want to get out of it?

Oh, and you will need to get at least one special tool.

[cowboy]

if you want to beef it up and lower it i would say some coilovers with some hi-los

:wales:

[bankxi]

how much will i be looking for a air bag suspension kit hydrolic ones plz

bankxi

[Alburglar]

That's two different types. You either buy bags or hydraulics. Both provide sh#t handling but air bags are much better of the two.

You would need to find a generic brand of bag suspesion and fit it yourself or take to a garage.

[Dan]

I doubt you'll find bags to fit as standard replacement, so you'll be looking at loads of fabrication and £££s.

AFAIK, the smallest bags you can get that are any good are about the same size as Land Rover Defender coil springs. Bags are designed for trucks and buses so they're BIG.

[Alburglar]

Agreed. But specialist bag suspension for cars is available.
Unless your building a show car that you trailor everywhere then there is no point.
And who wants a car that you can't drive?

Don't follow the Max power boy's. Alot of the featured mods are pointless and very expensive...
... although i am partial to a big stereo, big wheels and a well chosen bodykit.

[rob mini]

no need for coilovers with hi-los, with the coil spring u completely get rid of the whole cone section

either go for some adjustable dampers with hi-los or a full coilover setup

i think there was a blue mini at mini 45 on either airbags or hydraulics and it did look very good !

rob

[tom]

Really, I just want to stiffen it up, and lower it a wee bit.

[siggy]

Uprate shocks and shorten the cones

Siggy

[tom]

So, what exactly will I need to buy?

[Dan]

Hi-Lo's, Adjusta-rides or similar, two pairs with rear trumpet extension bars and some shocks. Type of shocks is basically personal choice, I prefer Spax and that's what's fitted to our car, but there's Koni's or Kayabas or loads more.

You fit the Hi-Lo type units to the rubber cone in place of the trumpets and then with the car back on the ground you can tune your ride height at your leisure, but do get your tracking and geometry checked after you set the height. Because of how the Mini suspension is designed, the replacement trumpets will increase the pre load on the spring in most cases which will stiffen the ride somewhat. Once the ride height is set, tune the dampers to your taste. Start with minimum damping and go for a gentle drive, then keep stiffening them up and re-testing til you're happy. Just remember how many 'clicks' you set them to and for a road car keep the same setting accross each axle.

You will need a cone compressor tool, jack, axle stands, spanners, sockets, new knuckles (some units come with them fitted), a pry bar (a proper one, not a srewdriver), pliers to get the old knuckle cup out (don't burn it out), WD40 or similar, grease, copper slip is a good idea and whatever tools you need to adjust the suspension as each type has a different adjustment mechanism. Most just need big spanners though.

[tom]

Ta.