24 replies to this topic

[Spitz]

That was the front suspension you linked too.....
Here is the rear
http://www.somerford...page=page&id=55

I know it may not be so....but still, double check that the knuckle doesn't have a spacer....costs nothing to look.

[mk3 Cooper S]

its not the pressure thats important, you pump it up untill you get the correct measurements, off the top of my head the rear is about 13 1/2 inches from the wheel centre to the wheel arch lip.

Spot on,
This may have been done but to the lip on the arch extension which is lower than the orininal lip on W&P arches

[Spitz]

oops....sorry, I see now you were indeed talking about the front

[KR200]

its not the pressure thats important, you pump it up untill you get the correct measurements, off the top of my head the rear is about 13 1/2 inches from the wheel centre to the wheel arch lip.

So if the pressure is not important can I assume that it is not a bodge to get the thing lower?

I've also heard that as you let the pressure down the rear goes down more than the front.

On that basis it would that appear that mine has too much pressure in it. I.E. whatever the pressure is it's too much as my car's sitting too high. Thus if I bleed some pressure out the rear will in turn come down more that the front thus all will be in order and it should look a lot meaner!

Or are my front displacers duff so the system was over pressurised to get a sensible ride height. I can't see this myself as it's sitting quite high all round.

The plot thickens!

Edited by KR200, 26 March 2012 - 08:00 PM.

[Cooperman]

As above, the pressure in the system is not the thing that decides the height, it's the total volume of fluid in each side of the overall system which is the deciding factor.
Personally I think the height proportion, front to rear, of your car is about right, but it may be a bit too high all round. Put 11 gallons of petrol in the twin tanks and 'mother-in-law' in the back and see how that lowers the back. If you lower it artificially at the back it will look a bit 'draggy' when you have a full load in the back + petrol, etc.
I just think it looks super. Nearly as pretty as my Innocenti Cooper 1300 Export!

Edited by Cooperman, 26 March 2012 - 08:01 PM.

[62S]

The Mk 3 S suspension is the best suspension fitted to any production Mini so if it is original it would be a shame to change it.

Has it got shock absorbers on the front?

Has it got the original Cooper S displacers?

It could also be that the rear helper springs are a bit weak as they are there to hold the back down and can stretch over time.

Hydrolastic on Minis was connected front to back and not side to side.

[KR200]

The Mk 3 S suspension is the best suspension fitted to any production Mini so if it is original it would be a shame to change it.

Has it got shock absorbers on the front?

Has it got the original Cooper S displacers?

It could also be that the rear helper springs are a bit weak as they are there to hold the back down and can stretch over time.

Hydrolastic on Minis was connected front to back and not side to side.

Hi, I believe it has the original S displacers. I will definately keep it wet no worries there. Much cheaper too!

Yes it has spax dampers on the front. The helper springs look new. I wasn't aware they pulled the back down.

I'm now confident the displacers are OK but that it's sitting too high through excess pressure/volume.

I've nicked the pic attached from the net. To me this has knackered front displacers or something is awry.

Attached Files

•  red S.jpg   19.17K   11 downloads

Edited by KR200, 26 March 2012 - 08:42 PM.

[KR200]

Ok to conclude, the amount of fluid forced into the system will dictate overall height. Thus volume is dicated by pressure. But pressure is variable or you may have a wonkey car if you pump in say X PSI on both sides. You can trim the height by adjusting pressure.

I intend to check the pressure and perhaps bleed a touch to get the front how I want it say a half inch lower. I'll then adjust the rear height by turning down the rods in a lathe until I get the stance right. As in touch higher at the back.

[carbon]

Good to hear you're keeping it wet.

Two options to consider if you're keeping it wet. First fit shock absorbers to the front - the holes for the mounting brackets will already be there on the inner wings, the brackets are the same as for dry. The top arm should have the hole already drilled for the lower shocker pin. Second fit the competition bumpstop kit from Minispares all round.

And enjoy the great weather while it lasts...

[KR200]

Good to hear you're keeping it wet.

Two options to consider if you're keeping it wet. First fit shock absorbers to the front - the holes for the mounting brackets will already be there on the inner wings, the brackets are the same as for dry. The top arm should have the hole already drilled for the lower shocker pin. Second fit the competition bumpstop kit from Minispares all round.

And enjoy the great weather while it lasts...

Thanks. My car has Spax on the front. I'll fit the bumpstops as I've read that they're a requisite for fast road work.