22 replies to this topic

[minialbania]

Dear friends. I am about to do some minor work to my mini and would like to change all the suspension because i have to. Since i have to do so i might as well lower the back of the car so the car can sit straight and not higher at the back.
Anybody has any suggestions for the type of the shocks that might be suitable?? What else do you recomend to change to achieve this??
Best regards

[minialbania]

I was thinking the adjustable shock?? Would they help? What are the adujstable shocked suitable for?
Thanks

[megamini_jb]

Lowered gaz shocks are very good. I've got them on mine. You'll need to fit hi los too, but I'm guessing you know that already?

[Chris1992]

hi los are what you need to actually lower it. adjustable shocks would be good too, but not vital... i dont have adjustable ones, should probably look into it lol

[minialbania]

I know about the hi lo's but i was wondering if the shocks needed to be adjustable.
Since i need to change the shocks any recomendations on the type.
Many thanks for the answers.
I need to learn bit more about my car.

[Alex_B]

You dont need adjustable dampers (not shocks, shock absorbers are the doughnuts on a mini), the adjustability is in how they dampen the ride not the height of them. You will need hilos to lower the car however you want a small amount of rake (the back being higher than the front) for stability and handling reasons).

[minialbania]

Thanks a lot Alex. You were very clear.
Best regards
Rigers

[Yams]

You will only need 'lowered' shock absorbers if you are planning on going very low all round. You can probably go  down about 20mm, maybe a little more with more or less 'standard' shock absorbers. However if you are fitting a hi-lo kit you should probably get new shocks if they are dated.

 

An adjustable shock absorber only allows you to adjust the amount of shock that is absorbed. A soft setting would mean less shock is absorbed, resulting in a 'bouncy' ride. A hard setting will result in a much bumpier and harder ride. The good thing about adjustable shock absorbers is you can get the cars suspension more to your own liking.

 

Be aware that if you set an adjustable shock to its hardest setting it may compress, but not be able to open up again under the weight of the car, causing issues with ride height and handling. This happened to me.

 

Yams

 

 

You dont need adjustable dampers (not shocks, shock absorbers are the doughnuts on a mini), the adjustability is in how they dampen the ride not the height of them. You will need hilos to lower the car however you want a small amount of rake (the back being higher than the front) for stability and handling reasons).

 

Shock absorbers are not the doughnuts or cones. Shock absorbers are shock absorbers, or also sometimes referred to as dampers. 

Edited by Yams, 31 August 2014 - 12:12 PM.

[minialbania]

Many thanks for the very long explanation and the time put into it.
Basically I dont need the hi lo's anymore??? Just the shortened damperes would do the job??
Or do i need them both to achieve a good ride and better handling?

[Cerberus]

Many thanks for the very long explanation and the time put into it.
Basically I dont need the hi lo's anymore??? Just the shortened damperes would do the job??
Or do i need them both to achieve a good ride and better handling?

 

 

You need Hi Los to adjust the ride height.

 

The dampers won't change the ride height at all.

 

 

This kit would be perfect for staying around the standard ride height, you can lower it, just not massively.

 

http://www.minispare...px|Back to shop

[minialbania]

http://www.minispare.../MSSK3001A.aspx
How about this set compared to the one you showed me??

[minialbania]

Which one would be a better choice??

[megamini_jb]

Like I said before, hi los and lowered gaz shocks will be spot on for what you want. My mini was a good ride with it really low, and still a good ride now just slightly lower than standard. That's with lowered gaz and genuine hi los

Edited by megamini_jb, 31 August 2014 - 05:59 PM.

[Cerberus]

http://www.minispare.../MSSK3001A.aspx
How about this set compared to the one you showed me??

 

Trouble with that one is the Hi-Los aren't the genuine ones, they're copies.  Most likely work nearly as well, but if your going to do it, I'd do it properly first time.

 

I've got Gaz shocks on mine, and I don't like them, won't be buying Gaz anything again.  I've just got standard length shocks too, and it's slightly lowered and doesn't have any problems.

[minialbania]

Would you prefer kabayas over Gaz dampers??
Any other suggestions anybody??