Hello all, just went to replace my missing front drivers side wheel arch when I noticed that side of my mini was sitting really low, so low that you can just about get your finger inbetween the body and the tyre. The other side you can get 2 1/2 fingers in. Just wondering if this will be such a simple fix as just replacing the damper or will it be a bit more serious than that? Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Front Suspension, Little Help Needed?
Started by
RyanBebo
, Jan 22 2013 11:03 PM
24 replies to this topic
#2
Noah
-
- Members
-
- 4,136 posts
Up Into Fourth
- Location: NE London/Essex
- Local Club: Essex Mini Club
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:05 PM
Sounds like a cone has collapsed.
But it is possible that the trumpet itself has broken.
But it is possible that the trumpet itself has broken.
#3
RyanBebo
-
- Members
-
- 195 posts
Mini Mad
- Location: Liverpool
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:13 PM
I had a little look under it and it seemed the damper on one side was smaller than the other, are the replacement of the trumpet or cone expensive?
#4
Cooperman
-
- TMF+ Member
-
- 23,308 posts
Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011
- Location: Cambs.
- Local Club: MCR, HAMOC, Chelmsford M.C.
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:15 PM
It won't be the damper as dampers have no effect on ride height.
With that much difference side to side the most likely culprit is the top arm knuckle joint cup. This is made from a hard plastic and over time it splits where the ball on the end of the trumpet sits into it.
You have to do the following:
Jack the car up and remove the wheel
Compress the rubber spring cone using the proper 'Tower Tool', also known as the Cone Spring Compressor.
Remove the rubber top arm down stop,
Pull out the aluminium trumpet with the ball on the end (it might be a bit difficult to remove the trumpet from the cone)..
Prise the old plastic cup out of the top arm, clean out the seat and fit a new cup.
Fit a new ball end into the trumpet
Put grease into the cup
Apply some copper grease around the top of the trumpet and re-install trumpet,
Jack up top arm to keep trumpet in the recess in the spring cone and release the compression tool slowly.
Re-fit the small rubber down stop under the top arm.
With that much difference side to side the most likely culprit is the top arm knuckle joint cup. This is made from a hard plastic and over time it splits where the ball on the end of the trumpet sits into it.
You have to do the following:
Jack the car up and remove the wheel
Compress the rubber spring cone using the proper 'Tower Tool', also known as the Cone Spring Compressor.
Remove the rubber top arm down stop,
Pull out the aluminium trumpet with the ball on the end (it might be a bit difficult to remove the trumpet from the cone)..
Prise the old plastic cup out of the top arm, clean out the seat and fit a new cup.
Fit a new ball end into the trumpet
Put grease into the cup
Apply some copper grease around the top of the trumpet and re-install trumpet,
Jack up top arm to keep trumpet in the recess in the spring cone and release the compression tool slowly.
Re-fit the small rubber down stop under the top arm.
#5
RyanBebo
-
- Members
-
- 195 posts
Mini Mad
- Location: Liverpool
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:21 PM
Ahh cheers mate, that's a big help!.. Seems like quite a bit of work though just for such a little thing, is it worthwile doing both sides?
#6
Noah
-
- Members
-
- 4,136 posts
Up Into Fourth
- Location: NE London/Essex
- Local Club: Essex Mini Club
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:28 PM
In my opinion when doing suspension and brake and steering work its always good to do both sides.
#7
IainNeon91
-
- Members
-
- 1,287 posts
One Carb Or Two?
- Location: Norwich
- Local Club: Norfolk Mini Owners Club
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:28 PM
I have saved this thread for when i fit my hi lo suspension (tomorrow hopefully!) I know you're not fitting hi lo's, but the routine is the same 
(Scroll down for the front suspension) 
http://www.theminifo...-fitting-guide/
(Scroll down for the front suspension) http://www.theminifo...-fitting-guide/
#8
RyanBebo
-
- Members
-
- 195 posts
Mini Mad
- Location: Liverpool
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:36 PM
It sounds like such a silly amount of work haha thought it would take me like an hour max!..
Just found this on minispares will it do? http://www.minispare...|Back to search
Or..Will I need this more expensive one??
http://www.minispare...07.aspx|Back to
Just found this on minispares will it do? http://www.minispare...|Back to search
Or..Will I need this more expensive one??
http://www.minispare...07.aspx|Back to
Edited by RyanBebo, 22 January 2013 - 11:40 PM.
#9
Noah
-
- Members
-
- 4,136 posts
Up Into Fourth
- Location: NE London/Essex
- Local Club: Essex Mini Club
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:43 PM
How olds your car?
The cheaper version does not come with the earlier thread - Pre 1976.
More expensive version does.
The cheaper version does not come with the earlier thread - Pre 1976.
More expensive version does.
#10
Cooperman
-
- TMF+ Member
-
- 23,308 posts
Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011
- Location: Cambs.
- Local Club: MCR, HAMOC, Chelmsford M.C.
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:44 PM
Mini Spares Centre:
SUSPENSION CONE COMPRESSOR TOOL METRIC THREAD
TOOL07
£15-75 +VAT
Well worth having the right tool.
You could fit Hi-Los at the same time which allows you to set the ride height at the same time.
Mini Spares Centre:
HILO
SUSPENSION ONE PAIR OF ADJUSTABLE TRUMPETS/HILOS
£37-50 +VAT
I've assumed a post-1976 car with metric cone thread.
SUSPENSION CONE COMPRESSOR TOOL METRIC THREAD
TOOL07
£15-75 +VAT
Well worth having the right tool.
You could fit Hi-Los at the same time which allows you to set the ride height at the same time.
Mini Spares Centre:
HILO
SUSPENSION ONE PAIR OF ADJUSTABLE TRUMPETS/HILOS
£37-50 +VAT
I've assumed a post-1976 car with metric cone thread.
Edited by Cooperman, 22 January 2013 - 11:45 PM.
#11
RyanBebo
-
- Members
-
- 195 posts
Mini Mad
- Location: Liverpool
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:46 PM
Mines a 1996 mate, worth a purchase?How olds your car?
The cheaper version does not come with the earlier thread - Pre 1976.
More expensive version does.
#12
RyanBebo
-
- Members
-
- 195 posts
Mini Mad
- Location: Liverpool
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:46 PM
Yep mine is a 96, how reliable are hi/lo's?Mini Spares Centre:
SUSPENSION CONE COMPRESSOR TOOL METRIC THREAD
TOOL07
£15-75 +VAT
Well worth having the right tool.
You could fit Hi-Los at the same time which allows you to set the ride height at the same time.
Mini Spares Centre:
HILO
SUSPENSION ONE PAIR OF ADJUSTABLE TRUMPETS/HILOS
£37-50 +VAT
I've assumed a post-1976 car with metric cone thread.
#13
Noah
-
- Members
-
- 4,136 posts
Up Into Fourth
- Location: NE London/Essex
- Local Club: Essex Mini Club
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:48 PM
Hi-Lo's are a great addition, You can lower the car or that way.
I think but i'm not sure you can in theory also raise it as Cooperman will say rally Mini's had raised suspension, so when it gets to the winter months and you don't want a snow plow, raise it up
I think but i'm not sure you can in theory also raise it as Cooperman will say rally Mini's had raised suspension, so when it gets to the winter months and you don't want a snow plow, raise it up
#14
Cooperman
-
- TMF+ Member
-
- 23,308 posts
Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011
- Location: Cambs.
- Local Club: MCR, HAMOC, Chelmsford M.C.
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:48 PM
Hi-Lo's were developed for rallying and racing. How reliable do you want them to be 
.
I always raise my rally cars about 2 cm above standard rise height.
.I always raise my rally cars about 2 cm above standard rise height.
Edited by Cooperman, 22 January 2013 - 11:49 PM.
#15
RyanBebo
-
- Members
-
- 195 posts
Mini Mad
- Location: Liverpool
Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:52 PM
They do sound great actually !!
Are they really a worthwile purchase though, as I only drive my mini to work and back, and have the occasional journey to the maccies or kfc drive through
Are they really a worthwile purchase though, as I only drive my mini to work and back, and have the occasional journey to the maccies or kfc drive through
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users
