15 replies to this topic

[WanaGo]

Hello,

 

I am still in the process of restoring my 78 Morris 1000 Mini, but I thought I would ask about this topic.

 

I installed new EVO cones from Minispares, along with refreshing all the other suspension components that needed replacement, and cleaning/painting and reassembling everything else that would go back on.

Currently the shell is without engine and without doors or interior, so its about as light as it can be - so I know this is a big factor.

 

However when the subframes are installed and sitting on its wheels, both front and rear are maxed out as high as they can go, and are pushing hard on the front stops, and the rear shocks are fully extended.

2 people standing on the front subframe, still does not lower the mini much at all, its sitting like a 4WD offroad vehicle.

 

I know once I get the engine back in, and the doors on and other heavy items, it will help, but I am certain that it will still not bring the mini down to sort of the mid travel range, and I am wondering if this is normal or not.

 

When we got the mini the cones were original, and rather flat. The new EVO cones, when you look at them side-by-side with the old ones, were maybe an inch taller.

 

Is this normal for the car to sit this high with new cones?

It just looks daft, and trying to install fender flares is going to be interesting (when I get to that point) due to how high it is sitting.

 

I am tempted to install Hi-Lo's, but over here its illegal to fit them without a full custom compliance certification, and doing that just for the Hi-Lo's is a process I would prefer to wait for, as I have plans to put in a bigger engine and change the brakes later on, so will do it all at once.

 

The mini is so high that its denting the Top Arm Bump/Rebound stops. I got the stainless/poly ones, and its basically bent them in half, due to the force from the cones. Hopefully when all the weight is back in the car, it will be off the stops and I can take them out and straighten or replace again.

 

Just a bit concerned thats all, as I have to take the car through standard compliance (like an extended MOT) to get it back on the road as its been off for 20 years, and it sitting high like a 4WD might be a problem, I am not sure.

 

Thanks

 

Thanks

[Stewart8210]

Putting the engine and other bits in will surely drop the ride height. Then driving it will compress everything further. A bigger problem for most of us is riding too low. I've ripped several arches off on the previous car, current one sits lovely with Hilows

[WanaGo]

Yeah the problem is I cannot drive it until I get it back on the road and get a number plate issued etc (short of back and forth in my driveway a million times!), so going to the 'MOT' test on a trailer will be its first drive, and so it wont have had any settling in from driving unfortunately.

Hopefully as you say, it will lower once everything is back in, which is my expectations too, but with how high and how forced it is on the stops at the moment, it seems unlikely they will drop as much as I hope.

[nicklouse]

Yes they do sit higher than people think/remember.

[68+86auto]

Without any weight in it, it will sit higher than it should. Once you add all the weight, it will come to the correct height. You will probably still think it's high but it'll be correct.

 

I don't know what to nicely call the people who run them low for no reason or neglect. My minis at the factory height are always the highest by far at shows.

[Rubbershorts]

Was the difference between your new and old cones similar to my attached picture. Mine sat fine with engine in when I had the Hilos set the same as the sock trumpets. Might be a good idea to fit Hilos anyway.

Attached Files

•  instasize_241218084241.jpg   56.55K   1 downloads

[mab01uk]

When refreshing/replacing suspension components, did you fit new Knuckle Joints and were they the correct ones to match your previous existing knuckles, as the later knuckle joints have a built-in spacer to raise the ride height?

 

Quote from Minispares:-

Suspension Knuckle Joint GSV1118MS

"Fits front and rear except later cars 1990 onwards that had a built in spacer for extra ride height clearance at the front (GSV1264EVO). In 1984 when the Mini was put onto 12" wheels as standard several small details were changed. One was to include a thick washer under the knuckle joint (21A1845) to raise the suspension a little in order to gain wheel clearance and suspension travel. Others included packing behind the teardrop mounts, also to gain wheel clearance. In 1990 when the cone spring rubber specification was slightly changed (again) they decided to introduce a front knuckle joint that had this spacer included in it already. This was both to make assembly faster and also to prevent mechanics losing the spacer when repairing the front suspension and completely messing up the Mini ride heights when they failed to notice that one side was lower than the other."

https://www.minispar...n-knuckle-joint

 

Once the suspension has settled you can adjust the suspension height the way Mini owners did before Hi-Lo's became available in the 1970's.

ie. You cut or machine a small amount from the alloy suspension trumpets where the knuckle joint fits in, to lower the height or add washers/spacers to raise suspension height.

 

The amount to add or remove is small and is a different ratio between back and front suspension. 3:1 for the front and 5:1 for the rears.

ie. you will lower the car by 3 and 5 times what you remove. Go carefully, and if you need to raise it again you can use washers as shims.

 

Standard Ride Height:-

https://www.theminif...ight/?p=2919537

 

Classic Mini Suspension Geometry Setup Guide:-

https://www.med-engi...try-setup-guide

 

 

Edited by mab01uk, 18 December 2024 - 09:07 AM.

[alpder]

Rear trumpets, at least, have various lengths/seats which will affect ride height: https://mk1-forum.ne...pic.php?t=23357

 

[ings]

In my country, hilos are also illegal, but I've been driving with them for 20 years and have to go through the MOT every two years.

 

It's never been noticed, or the inspectors just don't seem to care much.You can also just slip a CV joint gaiter over the hilo, this will protect it from water and inspectors...

 

 

[Steve220]

They do settle, and it take time. Evo cones do make the car sit naturally higher anyway. I've always used oem style cones on my Turbo mini and the ride is fine for the car.

[WanaGo]

Was the difference between your new and old cones similar to my attached picture. Mine sat fine with engine in when I had the Hilos set the same as the sock trumpets. Might be a good idea to fit Hilos anyway.

Yes, similar sort of difference as you have shown there, yep.
Tempted to fit the Hi-Lo's anyway, yeah. Just would suck to fail the inspection as its much more thorough than a standard 'MOT' equivilent. I wonder if they will notice though. Only if they know minis I guess they would.

[WanaGo]

When refreshing/replacing suspension components, did you fit new Knuckle Joints and were they the correct ones to match your previous existing knuckles, as the later knuckle joints have a built-in spacer to raise the ride height?

 

Yes, new knuckles.

I used GSV1118EVO Poly boot knuckles along with the FAM3968EVO EVO cones 
Thanks for the ride height info, that is going to be helpful. I'll measure what it is currently with no weight in the car.

[m1n1]

I have the same parts and same problem as you.   They have been fitted for two years, with the engine and about 100kg of water bottles inside to put some weight on them.    This year i got the car back on the road and even after 3 months driving or so it still sits at 11 inches at the front.    

[68+86auto]

I have the same parts and same problem as you.   They have been fitted for two years, with the engine and about 100kg of water bottles inside to put some weight on them.    This year i got the car back on the road and even after 3 months driving or so it still sits at 11 inches at the front.    

 

11 inches from where to where?

[WanaGo]

So it's almost time to get this mini back on the road again. Have it booked in for later this month.
Everything is in now, but both the front and rear are at max height. The fronts are still sitting on the droop stops, and the rears are fully extended and being held by the shocks.
I don't get why.
I have checked and double checked the installation of the cones and knuckles and everything is as it should be. It's just sitting like a 4x4.
Are these Evo cones just a poor choice?
It looks rediculous.