12 replies to this topic

[sarboykay]

A question for all you suspension gurus - I'm finally getting rid of the weird front springs/rear cones mix on my Jap import 93 SPi, and in doing so I tried to free up the adjuster on one of the front Spax High Performance gas shocks, which was seized. It's now free but too much so as it rotates without any stop point. Does anyone know if a repair is cost effective, or am I better off just getting new shocks (front only or all round)?

 

Cheers

[cal844]

New shocks all round and replace the front cones.

Use KYB Gas ajust shocks

[sarboykay]

Thanks - I should have said I'm going for new red spot cones all round. Will price up the KYBs now...

[cal844]

Here's a link to them, I should have put it in the above post, my apologies!

Minispares.com PN MSSK3015

https://www.minispar...px|Back to shop

[Midas Mk1]

You’ll be disappointed going from spax to kyb

[cal844]

You’ll be disappointed going from spax to kyb

I've had spax before and they're way too hard for a mini

[Midas Mk1]

I run protec & spax, drove a good few miles in a friends with kyb and their way way too soft.

[cal844]

Having been In a mini with Gaz shocks(13 inch Sportspack wheels) and my own Clubman Estate (10 inch Cooper Steel wheels) with Spax krypton adjustable shockers, I feel both are too hard for a road mini.

Purely my opinion but I definitely put the spax adjustables back on the shelf

Edited by cal844, 27 April 2021 - 05:25 PM.

[petey81]

You’ll be disappointed going from spax to kyb

I've had spax and gaz. Kyb gas adjust are great shocks so are kyb products

[cal844]

You’ll be disappointed going from spax to kyb

I've had spax and gaz. Kyb gas adjust are great shocks so are kyb products

I agree, if I was needing adjustable shockers I'd fit Protech BUT Zas a budget friendly Choice, KYB hands down

Edited by cal844, 27 April 2021 - 07:22 PM.

[sarboykay]

Thanks for all the opinions guys - the thing I love about Minis is the different ways to skin the same cat. Mine has 10" wheels and I'm after real-world handling on ropey B-roads, not track precision.

 

To open another can of worms, should I be putting on a camber kit while everything's in bits? 

[cal844]

Personally I'd go for a full alignment CHECK before you do strip the car, so you know what it's set at,

It's pointless getting the suspension alignment set until you've rebuilt the suspension. (due to wide tolerance build up)


So for a full list, assuming there's play evident when checked.

I'd fit new cones all round (unless the rears are good)

Front arm rebuild kits
Radius arm rebuild kits
Knuckle joints and seats all round
Track rod ends
New rubber bushes.

All the above list can be reduced as you need, depending on the condition of the parts on the car.

Personally I wouldn't fit a camber kit unless I couldn't get within tolerances.

On shockers I'd fit the KYBs on a road car, my estate is more fun to drive with the KYB shocks and new Red Spot cones than it was on the Spax.


I hope this helps

Edited by cal844, 27 April 2021 - 08:44 PM.

[sarboykay]

Excellent tips, thanks