17 replies to this topic

[Richie83]

My mini is riding on its original suspension (cones, shocks and all) and it's feeling very juddery when more than one person is in the car. With that in mind, and from reading many threads, I am considering buying:
- Gaz adjustable shocks with hilos
- new red dot cones
- new knuckle joints and bump stops

At the moment I don't know whether lowered shocks would create an overly harsh ride. Also whether any other brand or combination would be better? In short I need some advice on what's best to get.

[Carlos W]

Do you plan on running the car at standard height?

[Richie83]

I am at the moment and like the height and don't want huge arch gaps. But that's potentially because the cones are sagged? The previous owner did fit hilos on the front however.

[Carlos W]

There are good adjustables on the market, spax are popular. Standard height if you're going standard height

[Richie83]

I guess I just want to have a good driving experience. So comfortable when not pushing it and hadles corners as it should. What are you guys running? Also should I be looking to replace anything else at the same time (or will cones and shocks do it).

[Carlos W]

I guess I just want to have a good driving experience. So comfortable when not pushing it and hadles corners as it should. What are you guys running? Also should I be looking to replace anything else at the same time (or will cones and shocks do it).

The possibilities are endless mate. I'd check for play in radius arms, condition of front ball joints, make sure the top arms aren't seized.

You can consider camber kits.

[spiguy]

if by juddery you mean bouncy, then it's probable that the cones are very sagged and probably riding on the bump stops on the front. Have a look under the front wheel arch and see if the rubber bump stop is touching the top arm when the car is sitting on the ground normally. In any case, new cones would sort this out and give you a much nicer ride if they have not been changed before.

 

I would say new standard cones, kyb gas adjust shocks (self adjusting - quite firm but a good balance between ride and cornering) and hi-lo's - unless you have any issues about that, say in relation to declaring it to the insurance. Hi-lo's will make it easier to re-assemble, and give you the choice of ride height - which is nice anyway, but means that you can adjust as the cones age to maintain your ideal height throughout the usable life of the cones.

Edited by carlukemini, 20 November 2014 - 10:23 PM.

[Cooperman]

if by juddery you mean bouncy, then it's probable that the cones are very sagged and probably riding on the bump stops on the front. Have a look under the front wheel arch and see if the rubber bump stop is touching the top arm when the car is sitting on the ground normally. In any case, new cones would sort this out and give you a much nicer ride if they have not been changed before.

 

I would say new standard cones, kyb gas adjust shocks (self adjusting - quite firm but a good balance between ride and cornering) and hi-lo's - unless you have any issues about that, say in relation to declaring it to the insurance. Hi-lo's will make it easier to re-assemble, and give you the choice of ride height - which is nice anyway, but means that you can adjust as the cones age to maintain your ideal height throughout the usable life of the cones.

 

Excellent advice here  .

[Richie83]

if by juddery you mean bouncy, then it's probable that the cones are very sagged and probably riding on the bump stops on the front. Have a look under the front wheel arch and see if the rubber bump stop is touching the top arm when the car is sitting on the ground normally. In any case, new cones would sort this out and give you a much nicer ride if they have not been changed before.
 
I would say new standard cones, kyb gas adjust shocks (self adjusting - quite firm but a good balance between ride and cornering) and hi-lo's - unless you have any issues about that, say in relation to declaring it to the insurance. Hi-lo's will make it easier to re-assemble, and give you the choice of ride height - which is nice anyway, but means that you can adjust as the cones age to maintain your ideal height throughout the usable life of the cones.

Thanks for your advice. So
- http://minispares.co...c/MSSK3004.aspx
- http://minispares.co...ic/FAM3968.aspx

Any other bits?

[spiguy]

Worth checking that your rebound rubbers and bump stops are all fitted and intact while you're doing the job. I take it you have a cone spring compressor too? I removed the top arms on mine to make it easier to remove the old cone and insert the new one, I don't know if it is possible to do the job without doing this. Therefore in my case I had the balljoints split, so took the opportunity to renew them as they were a bit worn.  Just mentioning it in case you are of a mind to do that while you are at it.

[Cooperman]

The old cones can be a b****r to get out, especially at the front. A 'Tower Tool' is vital.

To do the rears requires either removal of the petrol tank or swivelling it to the side to get the top damper nuts off.

[spiguy]

I was really spoiled if I am honest, as the car was only recently off the boat from Japan. All the nuts and bolts were like new, and the cones just fell away from the trumpets - even the knuckle joints just required a gentle pry with the screwdriver and lifted straight out. If only it could stay like that forever!

[mattyglover16]

sorry to interrupt but what shocks do you recommend for road use?

[Cooperman]

KYB are very good.

[mattyglover16]

Okay cheers when fitting hi-los is there another other modifications that have to be done? either to make them fit or any other purposes.