6 replies to this topic

[animaniac76]

Hello again everyone,


My mini has hydrolastic suspension and I have been told since I am building the car from ground up, it would be better to switch it to dry suspension. Is this true? would it be better? Can someone tell me the difference between the two and the pros and cons of each? If I did switch it to dry, I would also need to switch the back subframe to dry too right? what all would I need to change/do? Please help me guys.

Thanks

animaniac76

[pdaykin]

If your hydro units are in working/not leaking then this type of suspension is great on a road car. Less harsh than a dry car, but tends to role a little more.

With a set of helper springs and decent shocks the car will be fine. If i could get all the correct bits, I'd convert mine back to hydro.

Anyone that says hydro is C**p as them one question - Have they ever driven one ? The hoest answer is usually "no".

The reason they stopped using hydro was cost not ride or handling.

A very under-rated suspension

If you do want to swap ('because u want hilos, etc), you should swap your front suby too. It is possible to bodge the existing one to suit but its not ideal.

Front upper arms and rear radius arms are different too. If you use them you will get a very stiff ride and heavy steering

[royallingham]

Hydro can be fine if you drive like a Granny ! I HAVE driven these - and they were horrible - the front heaves up and down like a boat, and they bottom out on the bump stops all the time. Yes - by spending a fortune you can tame them - but parts are very hard to get these days (certainly no new displacers) - and so very expensive.
Better to get dry rubber cone suspension - although now you can get coil springs to go instead of the rubber cones and these are in 3 grades - medium,soft,too soft - and are said to give a more 'forgiving' ride. May be a way to go for you !

[Teapot]

I had a new Cooper S in 1968 with Hydrolastic suspension and what with the standard beach-ball seats and rubbish disc pads it was the worst car I'd ever driven until I got an Austin Maxi (also Hydrolastic). I don't think whatever merits Hydrolastic may have (it seemed ok on the Austin/Morris 1100 -- could it be related to wheelbase?) are relevant to a mini. I'd go for dry and adjustable.

[dklawson]

If your hydro components are in good order keep them and enjoy their uniqueness and originality. If you have to source repair/replacement parts, now would be a good time to switch to a dry suspension. My comments are strictly based on availability and not ride quality.

[royallingham]

The hydro was fantastic on the 1100/1300 range - but on the Mini - just terrible.

[Guess-Works.com]

Anyone that says hydro is C**p as them one question - Have they ever driven one ? The hoest answer is usually "no".

All I've got to say is "Allegro" and that had the new improved "Hydragas" suspension....

'nuff said !


The only Hydr-anything suspensions of worth, are built by one certain french company who have been doing that for what seems ever

Edited by GuessWorks, 18 July 2005 - 04:02 PM.