Jump to content


Photo
- - - - -

Suspension


  • Please log in to reply
4 replies to this topic

#1 AlexM

AlexM

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,302 posts
  • Local Club: NMOC, ECMC

Posted 26 July 2006 - 06:21 PM

The suspension on my mini has dropped quite a lot over the 2 years i have had it and (especially at the back)
It has started making squeeking noises from the LH front. This happens when im going over bumps so im of the belief its suspension related and possibly the knuckle joints are worn, the rear also does this but only on occassion.

The rear was knocking for a while and a friend suggested this could be caused by the dampers bottoming out because the rear of the car has dropped by such an amount. The tyres scuff on the arches when i go round corners or if i have anyone in the back.

Am I right in thinking its the knuckle joints? How long does it take to do the front and rear? Is it dangerous to drive the car like this?

The left shot shows the ride height shortly after I bought the car, and the right shot as it stands now.

Attached Files


Edited by summergnu, 26 July 2006 - 06:22 PM.


#2 Sprocket

Sprocket

    Great on Injection faults

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,266 posts
  • Location: Warrington
  • Local Club: Manchester Minis

Posted 26 July 2006 - 07:00 PM

You may well find that the knuckles have already been replaced for much the same reason. (Purely speculation). I've found that the grease in non genuine knuckles is utter sh$te and drying out. I fitted some this time last year, stripped them about 6 weeks ago and found nylon on the knuckle with the cup dry. They wouldnt last long like that.

As for time involved in doing it, it depends on how easy everything comes apart, this can vary vastly, but put down a full day for it.

By the way, mine sits that low at my choice, looks better, just need to mod the rear inner archs to stop the rubbing on corners.

One thing to watch for is the fronts sitting on the bump stops if its too low.

#3 AlexM

AlexM

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,302 posts
  • Local Club: NMOC, ECMC

Posted 26 July 2006 - 07:09 PM

Make no mistake i like the look of it as it is, its just the sqeaking was a signal to me that something may be wrong. I have been thinking of getting some Hilos and ajustable dampers to bring the car back to the height it is now once the knuckles are replaced. what do you think of these or would i be more advised to go for the lowered type? What do you use on yours and how are they set up?

#4 Sprocket

Sprocket

    Great on Injection faults

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,266 posts
  • Location: Warrington
  • Local Club: Manchester Minis

Posted 26 July 2006 - 08:24 PM

excellent choice on the Hi Lo's but i think at that hight youll need the shorter dampers.

also consider that the springs are compressed after 13 years of british road hammering, when you jack the car up with the std dampers and the car at that lower hight, everything starts to fall apart.

I'll be replacing the springs soon as the ride is rather harsh, some of that is down to the Hi Lo's due to their different profile and the dampers being screwed all the way down ( for Avon), but dont think all the ride quality is the result of this, I just think the springs are battered.

Your springs will be partly to blame for the hight difference, but uneaven hight corner to corner will be down to the knuckles or at worst a worn subframe, the hole the radius arm sits in. usualy down to seized radius shaft. Remember this is worst case and ive only heard of it once.

Squeeks can be pretty much anything. I had a squeek that turned out to be a worn tear drop mount on the front panel.

#5 AlexM

AlexM

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,302 posts
  • Local Club: NMOC, ECMC

Posted 27 July 2006 - 10:41 AM

I was looking at spax dampers but they only come with the "budget" hilos and id sooner have the "original" type assuming they are better. So i chose GAZ instead, are these a good brand?

Whose dampers do you use on your car and how will they affect the ride and handling?




1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users