61 replies to this topic

[ellen.brg]

Hello, while walking towards my 1989 mini today i noticed that the front right hand side was dropped about two inches lower than the left, got it ome to flat ground and a second pair of eyes and still its much lower on that wheel arch

any idea what the problem is and how i need to fix it?

[Pauly]

Suspension cones are worn, the driver sides lower because its heavier on that side (driver, flywheel, brake/clutch servos etc).

Paul.

[ellen.brg]

thank you, will take a look at the suspension

is there anything else it could be, as when it was serviced about 4-5months ago, i remeber it was found that both sides were low at that point?

[Pauly]

I would put money on its the cones, can be worn knuckles but I rarely see them wear personally.

Paul.

[DTXDave]

Assuming you don't have an adjustable suspension, it's either your rubber cones, or your dampers, or both.

The front suspension is a combination of cone+trumpet and damper. If your dampers are worn then your cones will be doing most of the work and will eventually collapse. I had a similar problem in that my oil-filled dampers were shot and the cones pancaked in no time. I replaced the cones with new ones, the trumpets with adjustables, and the dampers with gas-filled shocks.

Here's a photo of the old next to the new to give you a visual idea:



If you have an adjustable suspension then maybe the nuts are lose and it's wound down. Probably not by 2" though.

Also, just out of interest, do you have any rubber on your front bump stops?


DTXDave

[gonzoavfc]

i have this same problem however i only replaced the cones and dampers about a month ago is there anything else that could be making the one side lower?

[alicetheauto]

Lots of them were like that out of the factory....... I remeber someone (either on here or in Miniworld) went round a BL dealership with a tape measure!Most probably cones have sagged. I know a while back there were some cheaper cones on the market that were VERY poor quality and collapsed in months.

[DTXDave]

i have this same problem however i only replaced the cones and dampers about a month ago is there anything else that could be making the one side lower?

Hmm, thinking out loud here..
1. Faulty damper
2. Cone not sat in the subframe tower correctly on one side
3. HiLos set higher on opposite side
4. Faulty cone or different make/shape to one on opposite side (non-genuine vs Dunlop Moulton)
5. Bump stop rubber missing on problem side
6. Tyre not correctly inflated or wrong profile to opposite side (60 vs 70)
7. Knuckle joint shot
8. Too much weight on drivers side

The two components that give the most 'give' on a Mini front suspension is the cone and damper and these are what I'd look at first.

Have you measured the distance between the center of your wheels to the bottom of your arches both front and back on both sides when parked on level ground with no one in the car and no tools in the boot?

If you can, take a photo looking straight on at the front of the car, side-on at each of the front wheels and arches, and inside the wheel arch of the problem side with the wheel removed.

DTXDave

[Boycie]

It's nothing whatsoever to do with the damper.

It's a combination of saggy rubber springs (doughnuts) and the fact that the knuckle joint wears through it's nylon cup.

Replace the rubber 'springs' and knuckle joints and it will sit nicely and handle much better!

[gonzoavfc]

thanks for your replies guys,

dave answer to all of your points:
1. Faulty damper- it looks fine to me :S
2. Cone not sat in the subframe tower correctly on one side - i've checked and its in fine
3. HiLos set higher on opposite side - dont have hi los
4. Faulty cone or different make/shape to one on opposite side (non-genuine vs Dunlop Moulton) - there all the same ones genuine dunlop ones from minispares
5. Bump stop rubber missing on problem side - its there it is worn abit but surely not enough to make it this much lower?
6. Tyre not correctly inflated or wrong profile to opposite side (60 vs 70) brand new wheels and tyres fitted yesterday.
7. Knuckle joint shot - when i changed the cones they were both fine but it had the same problem before i changed
8. Too much weight on drivers side - i dont know what would cause this.

Here are some pictures:
Drivers side

passenger side

no wheel

underneath passenger

underneath drivers



Cheers guys dont know if these are any help.

Edited by gonzoavfc, 10 June 2009 - 08:13 PM.

[gonzoavfc]

another point the cones i took out before were very worn so could they have damaged the tower in the subframe ?

[DTXDave]

Looking at your nowheel1.jpg photo, it looks like your knuckle joint rubber is shot.

Here's how mine looks:



DTXDave

[gonzoavfc]

i'd just lifted it up so you could see the joint a bit better, its really bugging me now because i dont have a clue what it could be.

[Boycie]

You say you fitted new rubber doughnuts Gonzo? Were they genuine ones?

[gonzoavfc]

yeah genuine dunlop ones from minispares, these ones