27 replies to this topic

[ninham]

Mayfair
1991
I think my suspension is ridding on the dump stops

Me and my dad went for a drive in the mini yesterday to go and get some fuel.
We only just got out side the drive and we were driving down the road and the hole car was banging and bumping about, like as if it had no suspension.
Could someone please help with my dilemma.

I have some pictures of the bump stop when the car is on the floor.

Right had side

Left had side

Wheel and arch Right

Wheel and arch Left

And here's a vid of me pushing on the wing.

[GraemeC]

Yep it is on the bump stops.
Knuckle joint cup is probably badly worn, if not the knuckle itself, and the suspension cones are probably knackered.

You also seem to have mismatched shocks - I would recommend two new ones. These won't alter the ride height though.

[MGMT]

I have some shocks for sale

[ninham]

so should i buy some new knuckle joints with cups then if that dont help buy some cones?

I have some shocks for sale :-whistling.gif

I dont realy have £100 to spend

Ninham

Edited by ninham, 06 November 2008 - 05:39 PM.

[stormintrooper]

Seems somewhat odd that both sides have gone like that

[nicksuth]

Have a look at this, it may help you understand the front suspension assembly?

http://www.somerford...-RubberCone.pdf

[edi57]

As both sides have gone I'm 99% sure that you'll find that the rubber cones have both just sagged loads and are completely worn out.

Ideally you need a complete suspension overhaul. I've done this on two of our minis this year and it made a huge difference to the ride quality and handling.

For a complete front suspension overhaul you'll need:

- Two rubber suspension cones
- Two dampers
- Two new knuckle joints
- Four lower arm bushes (a pair for each side)
- Four tie rod bushes (a pair for each side)

You'll need a cone compressor and it's also a good idea to replace the track rod ends while you're at it.

It's not a cheap job and doing the front suspension is definitely not my favourite job.

Ed

[Retro_10s]

Seems somewhat odd that both sides have gone like that

Why? Both cones have been subject to the same stresses of engine weight and steering.

The front cones have to carry around the engine weight and an stresses of steering so they're usually the first thing to go with the exception of the knuckle joints, which if not copper greased on the outside and lithium/moly greased before replacement can wear through in no time at all, causing a sudden drop in ride height.

as above, I'd bargain on the bare minimum of parts replacement to be 2 knuckle joints, 2 cones and 2 rebound buffers.

[ninham]

Were would people recommend to buy all the bits i need.
I'm not totally sure what i need to get.

What i really mean is what can i do with out for the moment? (I'm tight on funds).

James

[edi57]

Suspension Knuckle
Rubber Cone.
Rebound Rubber.

That's the minimum and links to the items.

[ninham]

cheers mate
thanks for every ones help.

I will let you no what happens when i fited all the bits.

Ninham

[icklemini]

suspension cones hae a life of about 10 years.
the knuckles wont make a mini drop onto the bump stops unless its warn its way through the suspension arm!!

[MiniAuto]

just had a look at mine it would appear i have the same problem .. minispares on sat me thinks

[stormintrooper]

Seems somewhat odd that both sides have gone like that

Why? Both cones have been subject to the same stresses of engine weight and steering.

The front cones have to carry around the engine weight and an stresses of steering so they're usually the first thing to go with the exception of the knuckle joints, which if not copper greased on the outside and lithium/moly greased before replacement can wear through in no time at all, causing a sudden drop in ride height.

as above, I'd bargain on the bare minimum of parts replacement to be 2 knuckle joints, 2 cones and 2 rebound buffers.

i assumed he was on about a sudden drop, like mechanical failure of some sorts, then noticed it was both sides and found it odd based on the same assumption

[mrslaphead]

You might be tight on funds but the cost of new suspension is far cheaper than a new front end and new suspension.
If the car is resting on the bump stops then there is almost no suspension travel, if you are dring at any speed around a bend and hit a bump
the car will be unable to absorb any of the impact and your car will skip, how much would be relative to your speed and the size of the bump.
It might not happen but my mate thought he would save some cash by waiting until after a track day to replace shocks and tyres, as he thought they would get knackered on the track. Unfortunately he put his TVR into a wall and smashed the front end in ,as well as having to replace shocks and tyres.

Im not saying you are going to stuff your mini on the next bend, just be aware that the car wont do what its supposed to do if it isnt the way it should be.

And if you do it all in bits and pieces you either pay more in garage costs or waste more time as you will need to strip all or some of the suspension every time
you change something. But its your car and you can do what you want.

(God I sound like my dad)

Cheers
Chris