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Terrible Ride On Hi-Lo’S


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#1 MCMC

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Posted 04 September 2019 - 02:29 PM

Hi. The previous owner fitted Hi-Lo s all round and they are adjusted to a low setting ( for the ‘look’ ) the ride is hideous -bouncing over the slightest road bump. The shock absorbers are standard original items, tyres 28psi.
Would raising the ride hight help -with the Hi-Lo s help. Thanks.

#2 nicklouse

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Posted 04 September 2019 - 02:50 PM

Depends on the condition of the rubbers. Shocks for a lowered car may also help. If the corner weights have not been done that car resin lot in odd handling.

But don’t forget Minis do have a harsh ride compared to modern cars.

#3 Chris1275gt

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Posted 04 September 2019 - 05:51 PM

Hi
Have you had a look at the condition of the cones, as if they are old and lost there spring you basically have very little movement on the suspension. As mentioned minis do have their uniqueness with regard to giving your spine a workout.

#4 MCMC

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Posted 05 September 2019 - 10:03 AM

Are the rubber cones easy to replace ? the HiLo s almost fall out when you jack the car up. The front seems to be much worse than the back. Perhaps I should raise the ride hight to standard, whatever that is. I’ve had lots of Minis dry and hydrolastic but this car is 100 times worse, -although it handles well. Thanks for your help.

#5 nicklouse

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Posted 05 September 2019 - 10:43 AM

Are the rubber cones easy to replace ? the HiLo s almost fall out when you jack the car up. The front seems to be much worse than the back. Perhaps I should raise the ride hight to standard, whatever that is. I’ve had lots of Minis dry and hydrolastic but this car is 100 times worse, -although it handles well. Thanks for your help.

if that is the case it is not fit for the road and should have failed all MOTs. the shock for a start need to be for the lowered car as they have a shorter open length that will stop the suspension components from falling out when the wheels are off the ground.

 

read your Haynes manual about how to change the rubber dounuts. it aint to hard and as you have HiLos fitted you may not need to compress the rubbers to get them out but you will most likely need to when fitting new ones.



#6 nicklouse

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Posted 05 September 2019 - 10:44 AM

oh and if it is that low it is most likely running on the bump stops.



#7 Chris1275gt

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Posted 05 September 2019 - 11:27 AM

Hi
Having just changed cones you will certainly need the compression tool, mine had a 3omm height difference on the front between the old and new and even with the hi lo adjusted to the smallest size it was still a bit of a squeeze. I notice your in Bucks I'm in Berks and I have both the metric and imperial compression tools if you want to borrow them.

#8 Tones61

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Posted 05 September 2019 - 12:35 PM

as said,on bumpstops, or dampers bottoming out?, :shifty:



#9 MCMC

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Posted 06 September 2019 - 08:26 AM

Not on bump stops, but dampers - good thought- May be bottoming out Will adjust up to normal ride hight. What is correct for standard car ?

#10 Chris1275gt

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Posted 06 September 2019 - 09:25 AM

Hi
Did mine using
Calvert.com
Simple to follow. I must learn to copy and paste web site addresses!

#11 roblightbody

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Posted 06 September 2019 - 09:43 AM

Hi
Did mine using
Calvert.com
Simple to follow. I must learn to copy and paste web site addresses!


Yes i used the Calverst.com site to help me get my mainstream rover cooper to it's standard ride height. He gives figures from the road to the sill trim, which is nice and easy to do.

Go to https://www.calverst...o/fitment-data/ and it's at the end of the first paragraph.

#12 Cabby

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Posted 06 September 2019 - 02:57 PM

I had the exact same problem. Turned out it was the shock absorbers bottoming out over the slightest bump. They only had around 5mm of travel. Fitted a pair of extended top shock mounts from Minispares and all was good.

SHOCK ABSORBER TOP BRACKETS FOR LOWERED SUSPE......
C-AJJ3359  more-details.gif
£24.00
 

 



#13 MCMC

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Posted 07 September 2019 - 09:35 AM

Thanks all. Will raise car to normal ride hight an see how we go. Then extended top shock mounts if still an issue.

#14 DeadSquare

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Posted 07 September 2019 - 10:14 AM

Thanks all. Will raise car to normal ride hight an see how we go. Then extended top shock mounts if still an issue.

 

If you look at the photos of "The world's most original Mini", it will give you an idea of the ride height after 50 years.



#15 Steve220

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Posted 07 September 2019 - 11:02 AM

If your hilos are falling out you need lowered shocks.




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