9 replies to this topic

[mini eicon]

Hello to all,

I have a mini 850 from 1966 and i would like to change hydrolastic to dry.

 

Do i need to buy front and rear subframe? if not what parts do i need to buy to change it?

 

Whats the procedure to change it?

 

Best regards to all

Help well be appreciate ;)

Jorge

 

[Cooperman]

The good news is that you don't need to buy new sub-frames and it is a very common conversion.

On the front, when the sub-frame is removed and stripped down you will see some location lugs at the top of the tower where the hydro units are retained. These need to be either knocked back or ground off to enable the new dry cones to sit firmly and square into the towers. Then you need 'dry' top arms as the hydro ones have a slightly different geometry. Always fit new knuckles and cups and ideally use Hi-Lo's so that the ride height can be set accurately.

On the rear just make sure the sub-frame is in top condition. If it is not, then replace it. If it is all good, then clean up the seatings for the rubber cones and make sure the replacement trumpets sit properly. You also need rear arms with the correct damper stud, so getting 'dry' rear arms is best, although you can modify 'wet' rear arms but it is a bit of a 'fiddly' job.

You need a 'tower tool' (suspension compression tool for doing the fronts and the fuel tank has to be removed to do the rears to gain access to fit the dampers.

[mini eicon]

Cooperman, Can you please tell me which parts i need to buy new from minispares for example.

 

what part is the power tool??  

 

Sorry but i dont know knew in all this stuff :)

 

When you came to Lisbon i will pay you some beers ;)

 

Best regards and thanks

Jorge

[mini eicon]

Can you please confirm me if these are the corrects parts and if i need to buy more things?

 

http://minispares.co...|Back to search

 

http://minispares.co...|Back to search

 

http://minispares.co...|Back to search

[Dr s]

In the usual play out of this topic  

 

Whats the issue with the Wet set up? Its easy enough to service and sort at home with a oil pump converted to pump hydro fluid. 

 

There are a number of hydro units on Ebay at the moment for less than a £100. 

 

Why not keep the more expensive to build superior setup? Unless you are building a race car? 

[mini eicon]

with dry suspension the car it`s more danger to drive

[midridge2]

You also need new handbrake cables for dry suspension as the hydrolastic ones are different.

you also need dampers for the front.

[Dr s]

You'll need to weld the captives into the shell for the lower mounts, m machine sell them from memory

[mini eicon]

Can you please show me what part is that? or the link from the website?

[Cooperman]

Basically you need the following:

 

4 off Original Rubber Spring Cones

4 off Dampers

2 off 'Dry' Top Front Suspension Arms

1 off Hi-Lo kit (front & rear)

1 pair 'Dry' Rear Suspension Arms

2 off handbrake cables

2 off Front 'Dry' Bump Stops

2 off Top Arm Down Stops

4 off 3/8" UNF Nuts (for front damper)

4 off Large 3/8" Flat Washers (for front dampers)

 

 

Special tools:

 

Front Suspension Spring Compressor (known as 'Tower Tool')

Suspension Ball Pin Splitter

 

Whilst it is apart it is good to check and replace as necessary:

 

Swivel pin ball joints

Lower arm bushes

 

I hope I have not forgotten anything.