22 replies to this topic

[iDemonix]

My mini is a 1998 city e auto and as far as I'm aware she's sat on standard suspension, however it looks to me like she's staring at the sky as the rear seems so low compared to the front. If I have a (12 stone) friend in the back, I get a bit of rubbing on corners, but otherwise it's ok.

[Ryang556]

I'd check the rear cones and dampers unless it has hi-lo's fitted, because as standard the ride height on the back of a mini was always slightly higher than the front?

[Midas Mk1]

The rear should be higher than the front, I have roughly a 1.5 finger gap between the tyre and arch at the front, and 2.25 at the back, giving a decent stance.

[Jakeclubby]

same as above. the rear higher to compensate for the larger load of passengers and objects so that they didnt rub against the wheels.... i doubt its hi los as it wouldnt rub (unless done not properly and in that case you need to change shock)

[mymini007]

Before with standard suspension



After with it dropped



Edit, better picture

Edited by mymini007, 10 April 2012 - 12:41 PM.

[iDemonix]

Seems it's just worn out then. New cones fix it until I can afford hi-lo's? Also is it an easy job?

[Cooperman]

It's quite straightforward once the fuel tank is removed. Alternatively cut a rectangular hole about 5" x 3" in hte rear seat back panel to gain access and make up a plate to cover the hole afterwards. That saves taking the tank out.
Withy the damper top mountings undone drop the radius arms right down to gain access to the rubber spring cones and prise them out. You may find the 'trumpet' is stuck in the rubber spring, but you can spray with penetrating fluid and prise the trumpets off.
Whilst off check the plastic cups in the front of the radius arms. It's a good idea to change these as well.

[mymini007]

Took me about 2 hours to to the rears

Old stuff - with shock removed, (fuel tank out to do this bit)



All off



Back together - with new shocks fitted and fuel tank back in


If you have a haynes follow the guide in there or I am sure there are lots of threads on here, the hardest bit will be getting the seized nuts undone, start soaking in wd40 or similar as soos as you can. I would do it all together, cones and Hi lows, then you only have to do it once.

Edited by mymini007, 10 April 2012 - 02:17 PM.

[iDemonix]

Helpful :) Cheers

[jimnali]

There's less weight on the rear of a mini so the rubber springs don't usually wear as much as the front. The front height looks correct so I doubt if the rear cones are worn. I suspect that either the nylon cups under the knuckles have failed or a previous owner has attempted to lower the rear and has overdone it.

Rubber springs are not cheap (Use only genuine ones!) so there are some things you can try before replacing them.

I suggest that you first do a visual check on the suspension - look for signs that the trumpets are damaged or have been shortened (saw marks on the narrow end). Check the rubber springs; they should be generally spherical, if they are clearly flattened they probably need replaced.

I would replace the knuckles and nylon cups before spending money on the springs. The knuckles are cheep but replacement involves removing the springs trumpets etc. If this does not fix the problem and you do have to replace the springs then at least the job will be easier as you will have already released all the seized parts etc.

I personally would fix the root problem rather than disguise it by fitting hi-los.

Edited by jimnali, 10 April 2012 - 06:53 PM.

[iDemonix]

I don't really understand the rear suspension of the mini, I come from a world of motorcycle suspension where it's all simple and on show! So hi lo's attach to the radius arms at the bottom, then the car itself at the top? But at the top, they connect to a rod going in to a rubber cone first? Anyone got any diagrams for a newbie?

[Alex_B]

Took me about 2 hours to to the rears

Old stuff - with shock removed, (fuel tank out to do this bit)



All off



Back together - with new shocks fitted and fuel tank back in


If you have a haynes follow the guide in there or I am sure there are lots of threads on here, the hardest bit will be getting the seized nuts undone, start soaking in wd40 or similar as soos as you can. I would do it all together, cones and Hi lows, then you only have to do it once.

You can see from those pictures how the Hilo fits, cone shaped thing that is mounted in the subframe thats fitted to the rubber dohnut moves back and forwards as the radius arm moves up and down, the bottom pic you can see where the trumpet (cone thing) was a silver threaded bar and a nut, thats a hilo basically an adjustable trumpet, what you said attaches to the radius arm and mounts up into the wheel arch is a damper which damps the springiness of the car.

Hope that makes sence and sorry to quote all those pictures but its easier to read all in one post :)

[rosstolley]

That looks better! Can't beat a nice shiney piece of kit

[iDemonix]

Ah thanks!

So is the damper just for rebound kinda thing? Or can the damper also control ride height as hi-lo's look like dampers to me?

[Alex_B]

the spring comes from the rubber dohnut seen in the first pic as the black dome, the bar thats attatched that goes to the left where the radius arm is moves left to right pushing on the dohnut, the damper is what goes up and down from the radius arm into the upper wheel arch which does what it says on the tin, damps the spring, the ride height is controlled by the length of the trumpet or hi-lo which ever you have fitted