31 replies to this topic

[Ethel]

Got to wonder if they are just stock bolts that have been drilled to take the knuckles. You could try that anyway, as repair, perhaps even going up a bolt size.

[DeadSquare]

Is this a good time to ask, "why", "When" and "How often"  to adjust the "hi-lo"s ?

[Spider]

Got to wonder if they are just stock bolts that have been drilled to take the knuckles. You could try that anyway, as repair, perhaps even going up a bolt size.

 

That's all many of them use, M20, Grade 4.4 Set Screws Zinc Plated. I'd suggest, while tempting to go to a higher grade, I prefer these as they will bend and not pop some other suspension part. Also, going to a higher grade, rather than bending as these will, they will crack and fail in a sudden way. I wouldn't recommend Stainless for the same reason.

It's also a good idea to face the head of the Set Screw so the knuckle seats flat against them and not on the stamped raised writing.

 

 

Is this a good time to ask, "why", "When" and "How often"  to adjust the "hi-lo"s ?

 

I find I usually need to do mine about once every 7 - 10 days while on a trip,
 

[EuphoriX]

I have the same issue with a set of blue springs. All 4 bolts are bent.

It may be the springs have bottomed out - but if they did there is surely enough give in the tyres to take any shock impact.

Nevertheless, looking at the bolts I see two issues
Firstly they are not hi tensile and so are more susceptible to bending
Secondly and more importantly the hole for the knuckle (or rod on the rear) are far too deep and this create an inherent weakness.

Minisport downunder do a hi-tensile replacement - not cheap but less than a new full set of Hilo’s or buying M20 bolts and having these machined (if you don’t have a lathe).

[nicklouse]

No the tyre will not take the shock. It already has hence the spring coil binding.

 

better have the bolt bend than the subframe fail.

 

[Spider]

I have the same issue with a set of blue springs. All 4 bolts are bent.

It may be the springs have bottomed out - but if they did there is surely enough give in the tyres to take any shock impact.

Nevertheless, looking at the bolts I see two issues
Firstly they are not hi tensile and so are more susceptible to bending
Secondly and more importantly the hole for the knuckle (or rod on the rear) are far too deep and this create an inherent weakness.

Minisport downunder do a hi-tensile replacement - not cheap but less than a new full set of Hilo’s or buying M20 bolts and having these machined (if you don’t have a lathe).

 

Your bent bolts will be from the coils going in to bind. These springs bind at around 55% of the normal suspension movement.  The tyres do have some give, but at normal road pressures, it's not nearly going to be enough to avoid something 'giving', you are lucky in your case, it's just been the bolts bending. That they are drilled so deep has no bearing on their resistance to bending or otherwise.

Yes, you can fit the High Tensile Bolts that Mini Sport Aust offer, however, that is going from bad to worse. If the bolts won't bend when you experience coil bind, then something else will give, usually it's the tower top on the subframe that will pop off. If this doesn't occur, then it will likely be the bolts trying to bend, however, with anything higher than grade 4.4 bolts, they won't bend, but crack and break giving you no warning.

There is a fix her so don't despair, fit rubber cones.
 

[Gaz66]

It beats me why the "sporty bits" shops still sell this crap knowing full well the problems they cause.

[68+86auto]

It beats me why the "sporty bits" shops still sell this crap knowing full well the problems they cause.

Because it makes them money, usually twice. Twice because when the buyer realises that they are crap then they buy rubber cones.

If they didn't sell them then the buyer would just give a different company their money. It's bad but a clever business knows how to make money, that's what they are trying to do. They need to sell what customers want, not what customers need.

[stuart bowes]

presumably in very specific conditions (reinforced or uprated subframe / only track use) they can be beneficial

 

either that, or they will eventually just drop off the market as word eventually spreads to everyone that they're a waste of time

Edited by stuart bowes, 11 June 2024 - 08:52 AM.

[sonscar]

Someone at a motor show,selling coilovers,said to me that they sell what the buyers think they want.Steve..

[nicklouse]

presumably in very specific conditions (reinforced or uprated subframe / only track use) they can be beneficial

 

either that, or they will eventually just drop off the market as word eventually spreads to everyone that they're a waste of time

Nope. No use at all for track use. Totally wrong spring curve amongst other things.

[stuart bowes]

fair enough I was only going by what I've read others say in the past

 

I wouldn't use them myself just because of all the predominantly negative things I've read

Edited by stuart bowes, 11 June 2024 - 11:42 AM.

[coopertaz]

surely if any use on rack then they should be sold as such. but even then people do fit track use items and are surprised when they are crap on the road, thinking ultralight flywheel clutch and cams here. 

[stuart bowes]

same applies for all those lamps you can buy in Halfords that say NOT FOR ROAD USE but people just either can't read or intentionally ignore it

 

same again really why are they even allowed to sell them

[Spider]

surely if any use on rack then they should be sold as such.

 

I can't speak for other suppliers, however Mini Spares do say in their listing for them " These are not recommended for road use,,,, "

 

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