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#1 Don't Panic

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Posted 24 December 2005 - 12:46 AM

Hey, Theres been a few threads on different suspension kits but I thought i would ask you to review your suspension (if you've changed it) tell us what kit you used and what you think of it.

I've noticed one corner of my mini 'sinking' slightly, so i figure i have to change the cones but its not too bad so i might save up for a while and get a full kit (would be my first major work done myself too :wub: )

As far as i can see there is the

Moulton Which looks good but it'll take me a while to save up £350, have noticed they sell the cones only, not sure if these are only replacements for people who have the kit or not.
adjusta-ride - no shocks, this is allot cheaper as i could just use the standard shocks that are on the car, would these solve my 'sagging' problem tho, or would i need new rubber cones.
Coil-over shocks very pricy, out of my budget but thought i'd list them anyway.
hi-los As adjusta-ride, opinions please.

#2 Sprocket

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Posted 24 December 2005 - 02:21 AM

Dropped suspension on one side is usulay the result of a worn knuckle joint. But while the trumpets are out to change the knuckles it is a good idea to fit the adjustable trumpets, as you say either the Adjustarides or the HiLos. These are the only ones to fit, all the others are cheep and nasty copies which leave little to be desired in the way of a good fit. These HiLos/ Adjustarides will rectify uneven suspention, but if you havent replaced the knuckle cups at least, then you may be fixing the symptom rather than the problem.

Moulton kit your talking about comes complete with the Adjustarides, rubber cones, dampers and neg camber rear brackets. It should come with new knuckle cups at least. A complete suspention overhaul would be achieved if you replaced the bushes as well which are only a few pounds any way.

The adjustarides and the hilos are just the adjustable parts of the suspention and do not include the cones again come with knuckle cups at least. My prefference is the HiLo as these were the originals and have been proved over many years. Also are the only one that were homolagated for international rallying which is why they were designed in the first place, to rase the car rather than lower it. But then I never fit anything but original parts to My car unless you cant get them.

Coil overs are complete shock absorber units, the damper and spring. This does away with the need for the knuckles and would rectify droopy dars and give a more forgiving ride

If after fitting new knuckle cups the car still sits uneven, then there may be something more scinister.

#3 The Matt

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Posted 24 December 2005 - 10:24 AM

I agree with most of what was said above by MS, but I have just fitted a set of the 'cheap copy' Hi Los off ebay and I am happy with the quality of them. It may be that they are inconsistent and some of them are poor fitting, but mine seem fine. I also would recommend (as above) that while you're fitting anything down there, put some new knuckles in as I did yesterday.

I have also gone for adjustable camber brackets and poly subframe mounting bushes. I am using adjustable Avo dampers all around and am running 7" x 13" Superlites. I will do a review of how I find everything to be!

EDIT: When I say new knuckles, it is usually the nylon cup which is worn, if you buy new knuckles you usually get the whole thing.

Edited by mini mad me, 24 December 2005 - 10:29 AM.


#4 1984mini25

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Posted 24 December 2005 - 01:09 PM

EDIT: When I say new knuckles, it is usually the nylon cup which is worn, if you buy new knuckles you usually get the whole thing.




My old ones were a metal cup and a right pain in the **** TO REMOVE

#5 The Matt

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Posted 24 December 2005 - 01:11 PM

Mine were the nylon ones, but still a pain to remove, I had to melt the one side with a blowgun because it was a nightmare to get out so I gave up and cheated! lol

#6 Don't Panic

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Posted 24 December 2005 - 02:22 PM

cheers guys, i'll see how much money i can save up, probably go for hi-los with intent to add poly bushes and better shocks in the future. for now i might just change the knuckle joints and see if it makes a difference.

#7 Sprocket

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Posted 24 December 2005 - 05:25 PM

cheers guys, i'll see how much money i can save up, probably go for hi-los with intent to add poly bushes and better shocks in the future. for now i might just change the knuckle joints and see if it makes a difference.

Trust me, you will not be wanting to be doing the job again so if you are definately concidering fitting adjustable hieght, it would be wise to fit the HiLos at the same time. That way you are only doing the job once. Fit them and set them to the same standard length as the originals untill you get the dampers.

By all means replace the knuckles now and fit the HiLos at a later date, but you will realise in your own time what I mean.

Also worth pointing out that if you lower the car anywhere below one inch from standard, you will need the shorter dampers to stop the suspention falling apart when it is jacked up.

#8 Don't Panic

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Posted 24 December 2005 - 05:28 PM

don't think i will be able to lower the car below standard as I barely have any ground clearance as it is. Think your right tho, i'll get the hilo's at the same time (christmas money :wink: )

#9 The Matt

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Posted 24 December 2005 - 05:46 PM

Trust me, you will not be wanting to be doing the job again so if you are definately concidering fitting adjustable hieght, it would be wise to fit the HiLos at the same time.

:wink: wise words there from MS, definitely worth doing it all in one hit.

As for the Hi-Los, they aren't just for lowering the car (not in my eyes anyway) it is more about having the ability to get the geometry spot on. Admittedly, I will be lowering the car a little, but only by 1/2" or so as I have standard length shocks. With the adjustability there, it can all be exactly as I want it. :grin:




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