3 replies to this topic

[David_J]

Hello again.

Got a question on the condition of the rear hydrogas units.

I can see them tucked away inside the subframe and unfortunately I can see that the rubber cover looks perished and the rest of the steel is pretty rusty. The suspension works pressure-wise but what does Mr MOTman look for and pass/fail.

Not to put too fine a point on it - what can you get away with?
Not a good question if I were talking about the brakes, I'm replacing them with new, but the rear suspension is standard and untouched and works???


ANyone got some tips?

Cheers

[Woody]

On my Riley Elf I converted the whole lot to rubber , If the rear subframe is sound and the ride hieght is corect you should be OK ,
The suspension on Minis and their derivitives dont have hydrogas , that was metros, minis have hydrolastic , and it should work fine as long as you have no leaks (that is why i converted mine, Kept going down one side)

[David_J]

Whoops, thanks for the correction.

Is it easy to convert to rubber? and would you recommend it?
I suppose its a lot easier to maintain but does the ride change?

Thanks

david

[Woody]

Ok the front , I found a mini in a scrap yard and took the top arm, cone ,rubber dohnut , shock and bracket , but you could use HI-LO(instead of the cone) and this would give you adjustable ridehight ,
The rear : the rear subframe is differant on the wet and dry minis so i took the whole rear subframe including shocks , I was lucky to get all this from one scrap mini, It had had a new rear frame not long ago so i had a good deal to get all this for £50 . The ride is a little bumpier with rubber but i feel this could be overcome with the right shocks and ride hight setting ( a full set of adjustable suspension was £39 at the show on sunday )
I did this whole job in a weekend , I decided to change over because my suspension on one side kept going down and my rear subframe was a bit rough , after the conversion i had no trouble .