19 replies to this topic

[icedaddyuk]

Model: Clubman Estate
Year: 1977
Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible):

Fitted HiLos to rear on the Estate at the weekend but have had a bit of trouble dropping the rear height to the matching front height.

When I wind down length of the HiLo the whole unit just falls out of position as when jacked up all pressure is taken off and the HiLo just falls out, what am I doing wrong here?

I fitted them following the how-to guide on here in the FAQs, knuckle, HiLo, new rubber cones. They are currently fitted as short as I can get them without them falling out but the rear is currently sitting two inches higher than the front with a huge arch gap.

Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?

TIA

[lrostoke]

Not really doing anything wrong, Its just a case of the shorter you make the rod it takes the pressure off the rubber cone allowing the two parts to come appart.

Not sure on estates but on the saloon I can just about get at the adjusters with the wheels on. So If you can reverse up some wheel ramps can crawl under and adjust with the weight of the car holding it all together.

[minisilverbullet]

I would suggest waiting abit (week or two) until the new cones you have fitted settle down a bit. And then you can adjust the height as required.

The argument being, that the cones wil be causing the excessive ride height. in the next two weeks they will settle and squash a bit, then you an use the hilo adjustment.

In my opinion if the hilos are falling out when the weight is taken of the suspension, then that aint safe!

[icedaddyuk]

In my opinion if the hilos are falling out when the weight is taken of the suspension, then that aint safe!

Exactly my thinking, I won't be shortening them any further as I don't want them falling out of position when the weight is taken off the suspension. I'll have to ride around with them sitting high for a while until they settle down but I can't really see them settling down 2 inches!

[Cerberus]

You'd be surprised.

What sort of gap have you got between wheel and arch?

[icedaddyuk]

I would say about 3" but I can't remember exactly.

The centre of the arch sits about 22" from the ground where as on the front it's 20". I'm hoping to get the rear down at least an inch.

[minisilverbullet]

What is the ratio for lowering the rear? is it 1:3 or 1:5?

either way a little 'settling' of the cone equates to quite a bit.

[h4wx1e]

i helped fit the front high los and shocks to maggies minders mini and it was riding high befor we took a test drive to the pub then all of a sudden they started to lower, so by the time we got back to the cars his was sitting at a lower height. like said might just need settling in.

[Cerberus]

What is the ratio for lowering the rear? is it 1:3 or 1:5?

either way a little 'settling' of the cone equates to quite a bit.

Its 1:5 on the back and 1:3 on the front.

[Bungle]

is the suspension bottoming out on the shocks ?

[Spitz]

Maybe you need shocks for lowered suspension....may stop your springs/hi-los from dropping out when jacked

[icedaddyuk]

Maybe you need shocks for lowered suspension....may stop your springs/hi-los from dropping out when jacked

I thought that but I'm not trying to go too low so wouldn't of thought I needed them just to go down an inch or so!

[icklemini]

'lowered' shocks will stop the radius arm dropping down so much and the hi-lo falling out.

You can also lockwire the hilo to the back of the subframe (not tight though!!), this will also keep in in place when the wheel droops...

[dame]

how did this pan out chap? i have just done the rears on my mini, and its on stilts too!!! after seeing how far i had to wind out the hi lo's to make it fit and not drop out, i assumed that adjustment was to made with the wheels on the ground, but after reading this, i think i need to wait and let her find her level first. is that about right then?

[Bungle]

do you have short shocks ?