11 replies to this topic

[darkcat]

I've had a look around but cant see one (on here)

I'm going to be doing mine this weekend, so if not i'll put one together for possible pinning

[Tommyboy12]

Coil springs in place of the rubber cones or do you mean coilovers?

[darkcat]

Coils in place of (collapsed) rubber doughnuts.

I didnt mention coilivers

[firstforward]

There are various manufacturers of the coil springs. I can only comment on minitastic. You cannot fit these and set for a low ride height, they MUST be fitted as per factory ride height, more so on the rears than the fronts. Grease up all the coils and hi-lo adjusters and they have a tendency to corrode if used in salt conditions. Fitting them is pretty straight forward, they will settle in height so adjust them approx with equal height, run the car for 50 or so miles then finally adjust the ride height.

 

I have had them on my car for 33K miles so far and really pleased. I set GAZ shocks on the lowest setting front and +3 on the rear, works for me.

[darkcat]

Thanks, useful info - although i wasnt actually asking how to do it as such, more is i should put together a how-to. 

I already have gaz shocks, I find them a bit hard even on their minimum setting while running cones, hopefully the springs will help. 

 

[Tommyboy12]

Youll probably find the collapsed nature of your cones is more to blame for the hard ride.

[firstforward]

As tommyboy12 says new cones will transform that if they are collapsed. If they are collapsed you are probably driving on the bump stops and that is grim.

Edited by firstforward, 24 August 2014 - 09:34 AM.

[Jordie]

There are various manufacturers of the coil springs. I can only comment on minitastic. You cannot fit these and set for a low ride height, they MUST be fitted as per factory ride height, more so on the rears than the fronts. Grease up all the coils and hi-lo adjusters and they have a tendency to corrode if used in salt conditions. Fitting them is pretty straight forward, they will settle in height so adjust them approx with equal height, run the car for 50 or so miles then finally adjust the ride height.

 

I have had them on my car for 33K miles so far and really pleased. I set GAZ shocks on the lowest setting front and +3 on the rear, works for me.

 

You are wrong. I run minitastic coil springs and my car is lowered than any standard height mini.

 

You however need to ensure you have the correct shocks (lowered type) and lowered front top shocker mounts if even lower height required.

 

Ensuring the top arm rebound rubber is in good condition, also the bump stop rubber is also vital to prevent anything dislodging on full droop or binding on maximum travel.

 

The only way the spring and coil will come loose is if at full droop, you have adjusted the hi-lo so low that it becomes loose. Having them adjusted correctly with the correct components, you can run lowered.

 

100% Make sure that when the shocker is connected etc, that on full droop the spring and hi-lo are situated correctly and not loose. If so, adjust the height up or fit different components as stated above.

[Jordie]

PS. I run my minitastics coils with gaz adjustable lowered shockers, lowered front mounts (only recently when changing the springs from my saloon to my estate) with new rebound rubbers, bump stops etc. I run 1-2 finger gap on the arches and about half way on the adjustment on the shocks for fast driving. I have to set the rear a little harder when towing the trailer so it doesnt scrape the tyres on the arches with the extra weight/bounce.

[darkcat]

Yay! rear done - the left put up rather more of a fight than the right.... 

And found out why the car feels a bit vague on the road - both trailing arms have play, so repair kits to order. 
Also the rear subframe is close to "end of life"

Now for Beer + F1, then to tackle the front, and yes i know, thats a COMPLETELY different game of balls...

Edited by darkcat, 24 August 2014 - 11:44 AM.

[Tommyboy12]

Unless youve got access to the correct reaming gear and a press most people (myself included) would strongly suggest buying refurbished arms over the repair kits.

[darkcat]

Having had a look around i didnt realise it was that big of a job... re-cons it is!