19 replies to this topic

[R32Egor]

I have a 1996 SPI mini that I have lowered and changed shocks.

The shocks are a set of KYB gas a just standard height shocks.

 

When i jack the car up the cones actually drop out of position from the subframe. Currently the car is at the lowest it can be before the cones drop completed below the location lip of the subframe. Therefore they go back in the correct position when put the car is put back down.

 

I would like to go lower so i presume that I need lowered shocks to be able to do this yes?

And is this also needed on the back?

 

Thanks

 

 

[nicklouse]

Yes you need shorter shocks. See Calvers info in my signature.

 

what is happening at the moment is dangerously and would be a UK failure and I soul expect it to be a fail at any roadworthy test.

[Cooperman]

As Nick says, be very careful about lowering a Mini unless it is for racing or hill-climbing on very smooth tracks.

On the road, a lowered Mini may be unsafe and it will also be less roadworthy on bumpy or potholed roads or over speed-humps. You can end up with a low car on which the 'on the limit' road-holding is improved only on totally smooth roads, but much slower on normal twistv roads which is where the classic Mini should be at its best. 

Excessively lowered cars can also be deemed illegal by MoT testers.

[DeadSquare]

If you have that problem, fit a full length Sump Guard, pronto.

 

Remove the "Rebound Bunp-stop" from under the Top Arms and convert the hole through which they are attached, into a slot.

 

Replace them, with 1/8" or more, packing, depending on how low the car is.

[shera12]

Yes, what you’re seeing is normal with standard-length shocks. When you jack the car up, the suspension droops more than the cone/trumpet can handle, so the cones drop out of the subframe lip.

If you want to go lower safely, you’ll need shorter (lowered) shocks or adjustable hi-lo trumpets so the suspension doesn’t over-extend. Shorter shocks also act as a droop limiter. Same applies at the rear lowered shocks are recommended there too.

Just be mindful of driveshaft angles and bump stop clearance when going very low 👍

 

[stuart bowes]

and destroying balljoints, from what I've read

[coopertaz]

lowering is not unsafe as long as correct components are used and lowered shocks fitted. be careful not to go too low or you will be on the bump stops at the front and tyres will hit the rear arches, then the car will be unsafe. steer away from some aftermarket adjustable units that are poorly designed, the best ones i found are the adjustaride from minisport and genuine hi-lo units.

Have adjustaride and adjustable Gaz on both our minis and would recommend, even on potholed uk roads

[coopertaz]

and destroying balljoints, from what I've read

no noticeable difference on our two, just use decent quality ones, alot of poor quality ones about

[super6al]

Out of interest, with standard shocks what is lowest you can safely go. Currently refurbing my car but I have new hi los, evo cones & standard Protek shocks to fit when its done

[DeadSquare]

Over the years,  "Standard Shocks" have varied in stroke by over 1 1/2",  both the closed and open lengths varied.

 

They were troublesome, some leaked others bent.

 

Early Minis were long and thin, almost a bicycle pump. 

 

1071 S must have been good because they were always on "Back-order".

 

About 1968 I found Armstrong.  Expensive, and so fat that spacers were needed on the rear, but almost "Fit and Forget".  If you slipped the engineer a £1-00 at an international race meeting, he'd rebuild them.

[R32Egor]

If you have that problem, fit a full length Sump Guard, pronto.

Remove the "Rebound Bunp-stop" from under the Top Arms and convert the hole through which they are attached, into a slot.

Replace them, with 1/8" or more, packing, depending on how low the car is.

I read about fitting packing on the actual arms in calvers technical papers but I presume this was pre- lowered shocks?

[R32Egor]

Any recommendations for a set of lowered shocks?

[nicklouse]

Any that match your usage but then do you need KBA numbers /TÜV approval?

 

I would go Spax as AVO is no longer about.

[MiNiKiN]

Any recommendations for a set of lowered shocks?

KYB gas-a-just, they have pretty much the longest stroke and look pretty standard (which is good for your annual "Pickerl-Termin"   ).  https://www.minispar...st-kit-set-of-4
Do not forget to fit above mentioned front lower drop packing (particularly on a lowered Mini with neg. camber arms) and in the back fit a hydro rebound-bump stop 21A1517

Fittinge these (ajj3359-shock-absorber-top-brackets-for-lowered-suspension) isn't a bad idea either. 

. 
 

Edited by MiNiKiN, 14 January 2026 - 09:32 AM.

[R32Egor]

Hi MiNiKin

I have the kyb gas a just and the new shock mounts fitted.

So either I pack the bottom arms as per calver or fit short shocks in the front then😜

Yes no probs with Pickerl👍