16 replies to this topic

[RobFox]

Model: Cooper
Year: 1996
Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible):


Alright so I purchased some rear hi los's ( front alread done ), after sitting in my garage for a while I decided it was time to put them on.
Following the fitting guide on here I have managed to remove the wheel, shock absorber and the thing with the rubber doughnut on the end.

Now I cannot remove the rubber doughnut from the metal bit in order to fit it to the hi-lo.

What is the best way to remove this? ( I don't have a compression tool )

It currently looks like this:

Edited by RobFox, 31 August 2010 - 12:12 PM.

[lrostoke]

The rubber donut as a metal ring in the end where it connects to the alloy trumpet section.
Try a chisel or screw driver in the join between rubber and trumpet. Or holding the trumpet and bashing the rubber on the ground to break the join might work.
They can be a pig, we had to destroy a rubber cone to split them a few years ago.

As the rubber section got the metal band round the end in your picture the bit far right ??? Nothing do with removing it, but if thats rotted off then the cones had it anyway.

Edited by lrostoke, 31 August 2010 - 12:17 PM.

[RobFox]

The rubber donut as a metal ring in the end where it connects to the alloy trumpet section.
Try a chisel or screw driver in the join between rubber and trumpet. Or holding the trumpet and bashing the rubber on the ground to break the join might work.
They can be a pig, we had to destroy a rubber cone to split them a few years ago.

As the rubber section got the metal band round the end in your picture the bit far right ??? Nothing do with removing it, but if thats rotted off then the cones had it anyway.

I have tried getting the screw driver underneath and prying it from the trumpet but so far no luck.
I have tried bashing it from all sorts of angles and it doesn't want to budge, even with copious amounts of WD40.

The picture was from the fitting guide as i cant find my camera link cable, but its pretty much the same, the metal ring attatches to the rubber doughnut but the rubber has worn away in a few places but still attatched.

[minisilverbullet]

not sure but would putting it in the freezer for a while work?

[lrostoke]

I can't remember if the trumpet is hollow. If you remove the ball out of the end, if it is hollow try a rod down the inside, would need to hold the trumpet firm though.

[Barman]

I can't remember if the trumpet is hollow. If you remove the ball out of the end, if it is hollow try a rod down the inside, would need to hold the trumpet firm though.

It is hollow...

But if the OP is fitting Hi-Los why does he need to remove the thing anyway - surely you'd fit new rubber cones and knuckles at the same time?

[lrostoke]

surely you'd fit new rubber cones and knuckles at the same time?

Depends on budget if the ride was OK and the cones not falling bits then why go to the £80 (pair) expense of replacing !!

I've just fitted hi-lo's to mine, changed rear cones, but left fronts, they were fine.

[Barman]

surely you'd fit new rubber cones and knuckles at the same time?

Depends on budget if the ride was OK and the cones not falling bits then why go to the £80 (pair) expense of replacing !!

I've just fitted hi-lo's to mine, changed rear cones, but left fronts, they were fine.

I thought mine looked fine but the difference in the old and new was amazing!



Not as much as the old and new on the front tho!

[Spitz]

Like said...if you have it apart, why not fit new doughnuts?

If it's a budget thing.....you don't want to wreck the old doughnut by hitting it in the wrong place and bending the top metal part. ( locating ring )
Try placing doughnut in a vice and with your hands pry the trumpet back and forth.
If that doesn't work.....you don't need the trumpet anymore....so cut it's length off....then you can cut away at the mating surface to release it.

[RobFox]

Thanks or everyone's reply's and comments.

Yeah ideally I would have liked to of kept and used the rubber doughnuts just because of budget. However after 3 hours or prying I have managed to get it off. What had happened is the rubber had melted and indeed attatched itself to the metal and cooled into place ...so as we took it off the rubber ripped =/.

For anyone thinking of doing this in the future I would seriously reccomend just saving up and buying new ones.

I will be purchasing new doughnuts tomorrow as its just not worth the hassle and fustration.

Cheers Rob

[GTIAlex06]

Yeh im glad your buying new ones.

I had this problem the other week, definatly worth the extra money.

With the new cones your suspension will sit really high, but as they settle down, you can adjust the hi los accordingly

[RobFox]

Yeh im glad your buying new ones.

I had this problem the other week, definatly worth the extra money.

With the new cones your suspension will sit really high, but as they settle down, you can adjust the hi los accordingly

If I may ask, where did you buy them from ?

I just contacted Moss in Bristol ( local supplier ) and they wanted £59.00 each !

Are these the ones I would need: Link

Cheers Rob

[bunch1980]

I have just replaced all dampers on my 93' sprite and its much better ride now more damped, but suspect the cones are probably well
dried out by now. But at 40 or 60 each eeek! seems a lot for rubber but of course more to it than that and that link shows mini spares are out of stock to.
I guess the cones are very hard even when new to take weight of car. Mine has done low miles nealr 19k now for 17 years so atleast know they not ridden to many bumps lol, but of course very dried out now.

[RobFox]

I have just replaced all dampers on my 93' sprite and its much better ride now more damped, but suspect the cones are probably well
dried out by now. But at 40 or 60 each eeek! seems a lot for rubber but of course more to it than that and that link shows mini spares are out of stock to.
I guess the cones are very hard even when new to take weight of car. Mine has done low miles nealr 19k now for 17 years so atleast know they not ridden to many bumps lol, but of course very dried out now.

Out of interest what dampers did you upgrade to ?

I have purchased two of THESE since Mini Spares were out of stock. It came to just under £80 including fast postage.

I have heard bad things about Mini Sport's customer service but im hoping they arn't too bad. I need them quick as my mini is still up on jacks!

Ill tell of my experience with them when I have something to report

Rob

[bunch1980]

I have just replaced all dampers on my 93' sprite and its much better ride now more damped, but suspect the cones are probably well
dried out by now. But at 40 or 60 each eeek! seems a lot for rubber but of course more to it than that and that link shows mini spares are out of stock to.
I guess the cones are very hard even when new to take weight of car. Mine has done low miles nealr 19k now for 17 years so atleast know they not ridden to many bumps lol, but of course very dried out now.

Out of interest what dampers did you upgrade to ?

I have purchased two of THESE since Mini Spares were out of stock. It came to just under £80 including fast postage.

I have heard bad things about Mini Sport's customer service but im hoping they arn't too bad. I need them quick as my mini is still up on jacks!

Ill tell of my experience with them when I have something to report

Rob

These ones from mini spares KYB gas upgrade about £20 each, even less with TMF discount! not much more than stock dampers but they work great, now absorb bumps instead of just smashing over them.
These rebounded nicely where as my old oil ones just went in one pushed and no rebound out. well worth money. When got more will get more adjustable ones.

http://www.minispare...=...3420&title=

Not bad then £33 each for donuts. I have pretty much gone with mini spares for all mine as Simon, is helpful on here and we get 7.5% off via tmf.

Yeah please do like to know if donuts make much difference for you. I see you are based in Bristol to.