7 replies to this topic

[Moggyman60]

Good evening everybody,

I have quite a puzzling situation with my mini cooper regarding the ride height particularly on the front of the car.

I have been trying to get the low ride height all round on the car but if i get the front at the height i require every

time i go over the slightest bump it makes a hell of a bang when hitting the bump stop!  the noise is very harsh

and i'm wondering how i can get a smooth ride???

PS  i'm running with hilo's and also the bump stops i am using are not the rubber ones but the harder compound

type,  along with those i have fitted new shocks all round,does anybody have a solution please?

 

Regards Andy

[sonscar]

You are trying for too low would be my suggestion but is probably not what you want to hear,Steve..

[nicklouse]

So what rubber springs have you fitted?

and how low is it?

 

have you done anything to the bump stops? And which ones?

[weef]

Have you fited the correct shock absorbers to allow for the low ride hieght ?.

[Steam]

Loud bang over bumps on a low mini is usually the shocks bottoming out. It will tear the mounts out eventually so best to fix asap by raising ride height and get the correct shocks.

[D 'n A]

If your goal is a smooth ride I would advice to start with new cones. In my opinion lowering your Mini (to much) does nothing good for comfort and not for handling as well if you do not combine the lowering with a few mods to keep the geometry of the suspension in check.

I currently run red dot cones all around and AGX shocks on their softest setting. (Like weef&steam mentioned you need lowered shocks for a lowered car). I'm really pleased with the quality of the ride.

Edited by D 'n A, 28 May 2023 - 05:40 AM.

[Spider]

You say you've got hard bump stops. Most likely, I'd say that's your issue there. I have seen these things and they have all the give in them as a block of steel.

Loose them and fit the Competition Bump Stops, you won't even know you are on the stops.

[Cooperman]

For a road car, with a Mini lowered suspension is far from ideal. In fact, you get the worst of all worlds as the already small available suspension travel is further reduced and that means very stiff damping is needed to prevent the arms hitting the bump stops. In turn this gives a harsh ride with poor road-holding on normal roads (it's different on a very smooth race track).

The best ride/handling/road-holding combination for a road Mini is standard ride height with OE rubber cone suspension and either adjustable dampers set to medium or KYB Gas-A-Just ones. Then set the suspension accurately as shown in other threads about settings. You will then have a Mini which will drive as smoothly as possible with excellent cornering performance.