3 replies to this topic

[andy_187]

Right, My car is an Australian made '67 Deluxe. I knew when I bought it that it had 'hydrolastic suspension' which sounded very fancy to a massive Noob like me, my question is has anybody got a car with the original rubber cone suspension and one with hydro elastic suspension, or had both previously and if so how would you sum up the difference?

I love my car, it's teaching me a lot about Minis and how they work and it's used as my daily drive. By far the best car I've ever had.


.... PS noticed I mispelled Hydrolastic suspension on the post... my bad.

Edited by andy_187, 20 December 2011 - 05:31 AM.

[mk1coopers]

The rubber cone ride is much firmer as you don't get the 'fore and aft' pitching that you do with a hydro car, you can fit adjustable shock absorbers to the front of a hydro car (as long as the captive nuts are still in the body for the top mount) fit the top mounting, have the top suspension arm mounting hole for the bumpstop drilled out to fit the lower pin for the shocker, set them to a firm (ish) setting and you should have a good ride that's reasonably controlled, you can even go to the next level and add competition bump stops and a rear anti roll bar if you want

[mab01uk]

The smoothest best riding Mini's I have had have all been running on well set up Hydrolastic and most of the 'Works' rally Mini's used it as it was on production Mini's of that era. Getting quite rare to see on an original Hydrolastic suspended Mini now, so if you have a good working Hydrolastic system look after it and don't swap to the more common rubber cones unless you have no choice.

[charliedurrant]

Hi there,

I have a hydro 68 and have had 4 minis with cones. As to the ride I think I prefer it but I do find it a little floaty.....but my 4:1 radio of cone minis to hydro probably influences my harking after cones.

I was a little concerned about servicing but a lot of old school garages have the pumps and they come up on eBay. Also the parts can be serviced (more expensive than cones) so if things do go wrong it can all be put back to tip top condition.

Note also there are special fluids available but the general consensus it to just use glycol mix...

Charlie