14 replies to this topic

[PaulColeman]

I'm trying to find out what the standard ride height would be for my Daughter's 1976 Mini 1000. I can't find it in the Haynes manual - does anybody know what it should be for both back and front please?

 

Thanks, Paul.

[carbon]

From wheel centre, vertical to lip on front wing about 12.5 to 13 inches

From wheel centre, vertical to lip on rear wing about 13 to 13.5 inches

 

These are not 'spec' values for 1976 mini but should be pretty close. Hope this helps.

 

Someone else on forum may know '1976 factory' settings.

[PaulColeman]

Perfect, thanks. I couldn't see them in the Haynes manual anywhere?

 

I'm fitting some HiLo type suspension components and I want to set them at the original height to start with.

 

Cheers, Paul.

[Alex_B]

Just measure the standard trumpet and set the hilo as that then fit?

[PaulColeman]

No! The problem I have is that the car is sitting way too high with the new cones I've fitted. The rears are actually so high that the shocks are almost fully extended and one of them bangs when you go over a bump. So I want to adjust them so that the ride height is correct :)

 

Paul.

[blacktulip]

I always adjust rear hi los so I can get 3 fingers between the top of the tyre to the chrome arch trim. As you have new cones you will need to keep an eye on it as the new cones will settle.

[PaulColeman]

I have a nasty feeling I'm going to have to reduce the length of the rod which comes with the HiLos to get the back down enough to stop it looking like a cross between a dragster and a monster truck!

[Nu2mini]

Typically a 12" wheeled Mini the front is 9.75"/248mm from sill to floor and rear is 11.00"/279mm - measured at the sill ends immediately before the arch line/edge curves up.  This is not affected by other factors such as wheel arches or tyre profile,

[Mini Manannán]

Geometry as per Uncle Cooperman: http://www.theminifo...ures/?p=1846061

 

Ride height     "        "             "        : http://www.theminifo...ight/?p=2919537

 

It really is worth spending a lot of time getting your geometry set up well, it makes a mahoosif difference.

[PaulColeman]

Well, I've fitted 3 out of 4 of the adjustable cones I bought from Mini Sport and I think they will cure my problems of ride height

You can see how high the car was...

 

With the HiLos on the lowest possible setting the fronts are about right and the rears should come down to the figures given above. The rears were originally 15" from wheel centre to wheel arch!!! It looked like a cross between a dragster and a monster truck I reckon I should be able to get the rears down by 3" with the adjusters on minimum.

 

I've only tested the fronts on the floor at the moment and I can just get 3 fingers between the top of the wheel and the wheel arch. I'm liking these new adjustable trumpets as it means I can balance the suspension as the front right corner has dropped more than the others because my daughter tends to be the only one in it most of the time.

 

The replacement cones I got are taking quite a long while to drop. The people at Mini Sport said it's the new rubber compounds they use now which have silicone in them.

 

Paul.

Edited by PaulColeman, 11 July 2014 - 07:50 PM.

[PaulColeman]

Wow what a difference!!! Have a look at the rear height in the picture above with the standard Mini trumpets and new cones and then look at the rear height below with a set of HiLos fitted (actually the Adjusta Ride versions from Mini Sport)...

 

A couple of the HiLos are actually set on their lowest setting as the new cones have so much elasticity in them. I now don't have the problem of the rear shock actually 'topping' out where it was on its maximum travel when you went over a bump. These were well worth the £100 they cost

 

Paul.

Edited by PaulColeman, 13 July 2014 - 04:57 PM.

[megamini_jb]

Crikey that was high! Looks so much better.

[KernowCooper]

Transformed the car Paul

[Tamworthbay]

First pic looks like someone scared it and it jumped.

[PaulColeman]

Transformed the car Paul

Yes it really has - it looks like a proper Mini now!!

 

I'm amazed at how high it was with the new cones and original trumpets and after 4 months the rear passenger side still hadn't bedded in and as I said the shock was almost at its full extension. Every time you went over a bump you could hear it clonk and sooner or later it would have damaged it so I'm glad I did it.