27 replies to this topic

[littlebluemonster2]

Hi guys,
Anyone ever fitted adjustable suspension, but when set it to height you want it comes out of the cone when you lift the wheels off the floor?
is this normal?
have spent 12 months rebuilding this car and it will be going for an mot soon..... when they jack up rear of the car i dont want to be asking him to hold on while i put the cone back in place before he drops it back on the wheels....lol
regards
chris

[attachment=83893:418._Hi_...r_of_car.JPG]

[JD8891]

I think the shock absorbers are meant to hold it all together, have you got the right ones if lowered it you need lowered shock absorbers to go with it, though how much it has to be lowered by to count as lowered im not sure.

JD

[kcchan]

Did you replace the cones? I think they'll do that if old, drooped ones are fitted.

[THE ANORAK]

I think the shock absorbers are meant to hold it all together, have you got the right ones if lowered it you need lowered shock absorbers to go with it, though how much it has to be lowered by to count as lowered im not sure.

JD

well I'm going to stick my neck out here and say.... low enough for the suspension cone to fall out the trumpet when you jack the car up

yes you will need to get shorter shocks to stop the suspension traveling as far, until then you MUST wind out the adjustable unit to a point where it will not fall apart.

i know its going to be difficult to live with a mini that's not lowered but you can be happy in the knowledge that it will actually drive better if it's not too low, but then judging by the fact that you bought cheap adjustable units i guess your not bothered about "how or why" the suspension was designed the way it was, only the way the car looks

EDIT: you may also be happy in the knowledge that hundreds of other people are driving their cars around in the same dangerous condition

and before anyone adds that it's "highly unlikely" that the suspension will actually fall apart on the road.... it could happen

if anyones interested i may be selling a full set of "propper" adjustable suspension next month

Edited by THE ANORAK, 16 April 2009 - 04:34 PM.

[THE ANORAK]

Did you replace the cones? I think they'll do that if old, drooped ones are fitted.

oh good god, it gets worse

NO, it does that if you have lowerd the car too much without fitting shorter shocks

come on people, were talking a little bit of common sence here, its really not difficult

[JD8891]

I think the shock absorbers are meant to hold it all together, have you got the right ones if lowered it you need lowered shock absorbers to go with it, though how much it has to be lowered by to count as lowered im not sure.

JD

well I'm going to stick my neck out here and say.... low enough for the suspension cone to fall out the trumpet when you jack the car up

yes you will need to get shorter shocks to stop the suspension traveling as far, until then you MUST wind out the adjustable unit to a point where it will not fall apart.

i know its going to be difficult to live with a mini that's not lowered but you can be happy in the knowledge that it will actually drive better if it's not too low, but then judging by the fact that you bought cheap adjustable units i guess your not bothered about "how or why" the suspension was designed the way it was, only the way the car looks

He might just have reused knacked cones is what i was getting at. Though they would have to be pretty knacked to fall out, good point.

JD

[THE ANORAK]

yes, but even with "brand new" cones it's possible to lower the car well past the point of safety, so in reality that's not the cause of the problem

[JD8891]

Yep I fully agree with that, but he didnt say that he had lowered lowered just picked a height he wanted and I didnt want to assume anything. Also IMO proper hi-lo's all the way.

JD

Edit: even though I run at standard height.

Edited by Soul Racer, 16 April 2009 - 04:45 PM.

[kcchan]

Forgot about lowered shocks.

My excuse: Im rebuilding mine at the moment and havent got my shocks yet but have some lowered ones on order

[spiguy]

"but then judging by the fact that you bought cheap adjustable units i guess your not bothered about "how or why" the suspension was designed the way it was, only the way the car looks"

What do you mean by this ? What's wrong with what he has fitted?

[JD8891]

The cheap adjustable units tend to miss the machined egde to them meaning they effect the way the cone works which affects the way the car handles. The machined edge on the trumpets and on the hi-lo's mean the cone can work more effecently and helps with road noise ect.

JD

[minimat]

I fitted cheap adjusables to my mini years ago and have had no problems at all,adjust them up so that they don't fall out,easy!

[spiguy]

The cheap adjustable units tend to miss the machined egde to them meaning they effect the way the cone works which affects the way the car handles. The machined edge on the trumpets and on the hi-lo's mean the cone can work more effecently and helps with road noise ect.

JD

Thanks for the info Soul Racer, I'd never heard that.

Well, I guess mine must be crap then too. I fitted a set about 7 years ago, made by Mini shop London. Lowered the back slightly, so the car was 'level'. I've always been very happy with them and never had any sense that I had mucked up the handling. Must have done about 50k miles since then. I must remember to compare them with the trumpets some time.

I don't think there's any call for the way it was put to the guy though, I'm sure he didn't set out thinking 'he he I'll pull a fast one fitting these shonky parts' - he has fitted what he believes to be a good part.

If someone has what they feel to be a valid point to make about why maybe Hi-Lo's would be better, then why not make the point courteously?

He only asked a question after all!

I take it I can expect to be ripped into if I ever post a pic revealing my sub standard MSL adjustables then ?

Like minimat, I set them up ensuring that the whole lot stays together, and I've never had any issues.

[scrumpymini]

Did you replace the cones? I think they'll do that if old, drooped ones are fitted.

oh good god, it gets worse

NO, it does that if you have lowerd the car too much without fitting shorter shocks

come on people, were talking a little bit of common sence here, its really not difficult

Well no need to be so short with people old chap, come on now take deep breaths and think of a place where the sun in shinning and the birds are singing.

I have just fitted Minispeed ones all round but i have the rear jacked right up so it is easy to work on while i do my rebuild so i guess my minispeed ones will do the same thing
http://www.minispeed...c...ct&id=hylow
Just fitted Konis of a sports pack also but if i go to low then looks like i will have to change out the rear shocks DOH !

[THE ANORAK]

If someone has what they feel to be a valid point to make about why maybe Hi-Lo's would be better, then why not make the point courteously?

sorry, i see your relatively new to the site. it's just my way i guess, most people are used to it but i guess that don't make it right