13 replies to this topic

[dan_w]

I have begun reconditioning the rear subframe and fitting hilos but cant seem to separate the rubber cones from the trumpets.

I have them out of the subframe as shown below but just can’t seem to separate them. I have tried everything I can think of, so if any one has any little tricks of the trade that would be extremely helpful.



Also should I paint the long metal bars and new trumpets for the hilos? I recently saw a pic of someone’s and they were all rusty. Has anyone had there’s go rusty?

Mine are from Mini Sports and there is no indication that they may require painting. I would prefer to give them a lick of paint now while everything is off the car if there is a chance of them rusting.

[ethana]

I think the set of hi-lo's you have bought are made from aluminium so they will not rust... to get the trumpet and cone apart requires brute force and in my own experiance renders them usless. this is no great disapointment as i think looking at them they are probably finished anyway. if you intend lowering the suspension at the rear you will also need lowered shocks. this is because the longer shock will allow the radius arm to drop below the length of the hi-low and it may fall out whilst driving. However, you can jack up the rear of the car and allow the radius arm to hang on the shock as low as it will go then adjust the hi-low out to this height. this is then the lowest you can go using them shocks.. Also aluminium would need etch priming before painting in order to achieve a top coat

[lrostoke]

We had to destroy the rubber cones to free them from the trumpet. there's a metal ring inside the end of the rubber, which fits onto the trumpet..

Steel and aluminium react with each other.

If you want to keep the rubber it may be an idea to saw the trumpet off right at the join. then see if you can lever the bit left of the trumpet out of the rubber.

Edited by lrostoke, 03 September 2008 - 08:16 AM.

[THE ANORAK]

i usually find its easier to take the knuckle out first and then use a long thin rod the tap the cone out from behind

but be careful not to split the cone around the knuckle area

[BJst416]

I find my primitive method gets the rubber out:

Use your subframe to pry it apart as if you were opening a beer bottle...

Don't know if that only makes sense to me? lol

[cradley-heathen]

i usually find its easier to take the knuckle out first and then use a long thin rod the tap the cone out from behind

but be careful not to split the cone around the knuckle area

or you can hacksaw the cones down so you dont have to find such a long thin tool, but yes this is the best way to do it, any other method i have tried the rubber spring just absorbs your blows, and you will probably damage the spring,

[nordicmini]

i usually find its easier to take the knuckle out first and then use a long thin rod the tap the cone out from behind

but be careful not to split the cone around the knuckle area

or you can hacksaw the cones down so you dont have to find such a long thin tool, but yes this is the best way to do it, any other method i have tried the rubber spring just absorbs your blows, and you will probably damage the spring,

not a easy one the way i do it is to hold the trumpet i one hand and a rubber mallet
then just keep hitting the the rubber bit off the trumpet keep turning it
hope it makes sense

[dan_w]

I think the set of hi-lo's you have bought are made from aluminium so they will not rust... to get the trumpet and cone apart requires brute force and in my own experiance renders them usless. this is no great disapointment as i think looking at them they are probably finished anyway. if you intend lowering the suspension at the rear you will also need lowered shocks. this is because the longer shock will allow the radius arm to drop below the length of the hi-low and it may fall out whilst driving. However, you can jack up the rear of the car and allow the radius arm to hang on the shock as low as it will go then adjust the hi-low out to this height. this is then the lowest you can go using them shocks.. Also aluminium would need etch priming before painting in order to achieve a top coat

Thanks Ethana. I have brought the whole suspension kit with negative camber adjusters shocks the whole lot so hopefully this will avoid the issue. Im glad they wont need painting, thats one less thing to do.

Cold chistle and hammer between cone and rubber can work sometimes but if that fails

Clamp the rubber in a big vice and then waggle the cone violently until it free's itself

Note this can damage the rubber, but you have little to loose trying

Hopefull i will be able to give this a go at my parents using the vice in the garage. I was thinking of this but as a last resort like you said i bet i easily damages the rubber.

I find my primitive method gets the rubber out:

Use your subframe to pry it apart as if you were opening a beer bottle...

Don't know if that only makes sense to me? lol

What a great idea, as i have it all stripped down now I am sure I can get enought leverage on it now. First thing i will be doing when i get home.

[duncancallum]

a big blunt chisel and work round the edge is my method

or smash the trupet up and use a dremel to cut into it form behind

[dan_w]

I just hate this, I seem to be moving knowwhere fast.

I tried 'BJst416' method today of refiting the cones to the subframe and prying appart but it just kept popping out.

I have tried all sorts to brute force, chisels and screwdrivers i even managed to get some wd40 between the trumpet and the cone today but that didnt make any difference. The rubber just seems to absorb any sort of pressure or hits.

Well im popping over to my parents tomorow to use the vice in the garrage. Failling that i will get the angle grinder out to cut the trumpet and hopefully do it that way. Seeing i dont need the trumpets any more im not to fussed if I ruin them, hopefully this way the rubber cones are still usable, if not then some new ones will have to be ordered.

[ethana]

I just hate this, I seem to be moving knowwhere fast.

I tried 'BJst416' method today of refiting the cones to the subframe and prying appart but it just kept popping out.

I have tried all sorts to brute force, chisels and screwdrivers i even managed to get some wd40 between the trumpet and the cone today but that didnt make any difference. The rubber just seems to absorb any sort of pressure or hits.

Well im popping over to my parents tomorow to use the vice in the garrage. Failling that i will get the angle grinder out to cut the trumpet and hopefully do it that way. Seeing i dont need the trumpets any more im not to fussed if I ruin them, hopefully this way the rubber cones are still usable, if not then some new ones will have to be ordered.

hate to be the prophet of doom but save yourself time and skin chaffing injuries and invest in two new cones they sound so fused on that inorder to separate they will be destroyed... And if you do decide to get new then get the original moulton versions

[dklawson]

Thank you Ethana. Your comments are similar to what I felt obligated to say.

You've invested in a set of Hi-Los and all those new suspension bits. It would be a waste of the money you've already spent to fit old rubber cones back on the car.

However, do save the old trumpets. There is nothing apparently wrong with them that a sandblasting wouldn't clean up. To separate them, be patient. Spray with penetrating oil (not WD-40) and wait a while. Then... take the trumpet/cone assembly and hold it like a war club. Strike some innocent tree or pillar with it repeatedly until the cone comes off. You may find the steel ring bonded into the cone is left behind. Use a Dremel tool or similar to cut most the way through the band then pry open the slot and discard the steel strip. Sandblast the cones and save them for sale, or garage ornaments.

[Kam]

Are you still having trouble separating them?

I've just got my rear springs out and apart to also fit some Hi-lo's, had a little trouble to get the rubber dome off like you but found a very very easy way!

Insert the compression tool thread into the bottom all the way and place it on the ground and stand on the end of the inserted compression tool, and stamp on the other end just before the knuckle end with your right foot like below



First time mate it'll pop off