11 replies to this topic

[twinding]

Hi

 

I'm restoring a 1976 Mini and have the rear subframe off the car. I need to separate the aluminium rear trumpet from the old rubber cone spring so I can clean up the trumpet. it seems that they are stuck together.

 

What's the best approach?

 

Any advice appreciated.

 

[mab01uk]

Some ideas in this video which may help....

 

Separating the suspension trumpet from the rubber cone:-

 

 

 

 

[Quinlan minor]

Beaten to it.

Edited by Quinlan minor, 04 May 2026 - 06:51 PM.

[twinding]

Are the parts glued together?

[Quinlan minor]

Are the parts glued together?

Not intentionally, but road dirt and corrosion is an effective substitute.

[mbolt998]

Blow torch and hammer (and be prepared to roll it around on the grass when it catches fire). This way you can save the trumpet. I assume you're replacing the cone. If the metal bit in the middle of the cone sticks to the trumpet rather that coming off with the cone (as it did in my case), weld a bit of square tube onto it and then bash that to get it off.

[stuart bowes]

honestly, I gave up and thew mine out

a cleaner nicer looking set of replacement trumpets with the rubbers removed were on ebay for about £15-20 plus shipping

 

and then I bought adjustable anyway which you might also consider maybe, if nothing else a LOT easier to fit

 

by the way if anyone near me needs a set let me know, they're sitting unused in my shed (sorry I don't want to get into international shipping)

Edited by stuart bowes, 05 May 2026 - 08:43 AM.

[Designer]

Hi,

 

I would like to point out that Plus Gas is much better than WD40 for freeing off jammed parts.

 

Paddy

[Ethel]

There's a steel seat inside the rubber that causes the aluminium to corrode. You can tap & twist the trumpet against that seat but you may end up having to choose one or the other to sacrifice.

[twinding]

Maybe my English hasn't been entirely correct here. I am talking about the rear end of the car. I have been trying to get the 2 parts split the last 2 evenings without any luck yet. It is completely loose on the sides, but still I cannot get them apart. Isn't that strange?

[Quinlan minor]

Maybe my English hasn't been entirely correct here. I am talking about the rear end of the car. I have been trying to get the 2 parts split the last 2 evenings without any luck yet. It is completely loose on the sides, but still I cannot get them apart. Isn't that strange?

Sadly, no.

As in the YouTube video, it may take quite some time.

If Minis had been around, back then, it would have been one of the labours of Hercules.

[Gaz66]

Ive never separated these without destroying the rubber donut.
Budget in two new donuts 👍