16 replies to this topic

[eean]

Hello, been wondering what's best for the mini I've bought suspension wise, keep it hydrolastic or convert to dry?
Would I need to change the subframes? Never done one or worked on a hydrolastic mini before. It's a mk2 68 Morris mini super deluxe, also all the front suspension was missing when I bought it
Input appreciated cheers
Iain

[midridge2]

Take all the displacers out and give them to me is the best idea.

[whistler]

If you could keep the hydrolastic then it will be 'original'. The ride/comfort from hydrolastic suspension was far nicer for normal use but troublesome as the pipes had a habit of rusting and the displacer units (fitted where rubber cones are in dry) could leak fluid and the suspension would sink, necessitating a trip to the nearest garage that had a hydrolastic fluid pump for reinflating.

Depends whether you want to keep the car as original or not.

[carbon]

Iain - you say that all of the front suspension is missing? If you don't have the complete hydrolastic front subframe with displacers then you may be best converting to dry.

 

(If it had all been there and holding pressure I would have suggested keeping it as a wet system)

[Spider]

If it were me and say a 'high value car' like a Cooper, and S type or an early GT, then I'd go to the trouble of keeping it on wet suspension. Anything else, I'd likely save myself from the heartache of trying to track down all those elusive parts that are NLA, unless it was mostly in serviceable condition.

 

Wet does give a superior ride, but a lot can be done with dry to make it pretty good too.

 

It would be easier to get a hold of dry frames to convert. It's not just the frames that are different, but also the upper arms on the front and also the trailing arms on the rear.

[nicklouse]

It's a mk2 68 Morris mini super deluxe, also all the front suspension was missing when I bought it
Input appreciated cheers
Iain

What have you actually got?

As that matters quite a bit.

[69k1100]

You can use hydro top arms with dry suspension, however the leverage is different, so the ride will be stiffer. Radius arms are a pain as the hydrolastic helper springs pin isn't suitable for dampers, you will have to change the stub axle, same deal regarding leverage.

[eean]

Ok thank-you all above, with the look of what I saw when I got it, as I have only put it in the garage and not really looked at what's been taken but from memory the only thing I have of the rear suspension is the radius arms and subframe, pies have been cut on subframe, its off by the way, there's no displacers? I don't even know what they are or look like so they can't be there.
Car is as stated on log book Morris Mini Minor but on heritage certificate with it states super deluxe
So with the sounds of it I'll be better going dry then as the front suspension is not there at all apart from tie bars and the drivers side is bent, the bloke must have sold it all off it before selling it to me!?
So these subframes are no good too??
Cheers for your input chaps

[eean]

Take all the displacers out and give them to me is the best idea.

There isn't any lol!

[Daz1968]

If you have nothing left then going dry is by far the cheapest option, hydrolastic stuff is difficult to find in serviceable condition and not cheap,

[eean]

Cheers Daz, bet that's why it's all been sold, now I bought this without seeing it, only pics and trying to remember how it was worded either suspension removed or missing, ah well dry it is

Edited by eean, 26 August 2016 - 07:13 AM.

[eean]

Would these subframes be worth anything to anyone ?
Don't know if rear original but it's very good condition, may have been blasted from memory and front frame is still bolted to car and has mowog on the front of it
Cheers for the info folks
Iain

Edited by eean, 26 August 2016 - 08:03 AM.

[nicklouse]

you can still use them. rears are the same and the front just needs the clips removing so the rubber doughnuts can be fitted.

[nicklouse]

AND before running off an buying stuff.

 

stop think and pause and consider the build.

 

hilos? better rubbers etc etc

 

 

why buy used grease and dirt covered stuff that needs overhauling and cleaning when you can buy new/recon for not much more.

[eean]

Thanks Nick I just bought a full rebuilt rear subframe with new doughnuts and hi low setup with rebuilt radius arms and hubs bearings etc, my subframe is bare so will be able to choose which and sell on, that's good to know re being able to use front subframe and thank-you for that, its saved me a bit of cash cheers thanks for sharing, I had intended to go dry from the start with it but didn't want to really depreciate it in any way but as pointed out it would only really affect it if it was a Cooper etc
Thanks I owe you one