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From hydrolastic to beyond....
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=97103
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Author:  zulu_warrior1976 [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 3:34 pm ]
Post subject:  From hydrolastic to beyond....

Hi All,
My 60’s K has hydrolastic suspension but I’m thinking of changing to coil overs and hi lo’s.
Can this be done? Should it be done?
Probably a bit of a noob question.


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Author:  drmini in aust [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 5:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: From hydrolastic to beyond....

(gets popcorn)....
If it ain't broke, I wouldn't 'fix' it. Beyond adding shocks to the front and comp hydro bumpstops to the rear.
My 'Matic is this same setup, rides well and handles too.

Author:  timmy201 [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 5:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: From hydrolastic to beyond....

Coil overs are very different to coils..

The "coil overs" have springs over the shocks and mount to the front shock mount and rear shock tower. These places aren't designed to take the load of the car.
Attachment:
image (1).jpg


The coil replacement cones go in the subframe in place of the old rubber cones or bags.
Attachment:
image (2).jpg


I put brand new rubber cones and shocks on my car, along with adjustable hi-los, lower arms and tie bars. Much better than the 50 year old stuff on there before, and it feels more comfortable than my 2010 Mazda!

Author:  gtogreen1969 [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 7:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: From hydrolastic to beyond....

What is wrong with the existing Hydro?

Author:  zulu_warrior1976 [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 8:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: From hydrolastic to beyond....

Great info. All the existing hydro infrastructure needs to be replaced. I’m at the point of removing the sub frames and reconditioning it all. Now’s the opportunity to consider upgrading or replacing.


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Author:  Matt I [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: From hydrolastic to beyond....

We converted our K to dry, and my Deluxe will go the same way. I was never happy with the way the car sat on hydro. Matt Read's hilos have a different profile to most and are nearly as good as hydrolastic for comfort.

One of the steel hydro lines actually failed and started leaking as the car was being disassembled... I like having one less system with the potential to fail and disable the car I rely on day-to-day, and it certainly doesn't ride any worse!

Then again, I prefer rod change gearboxes :P

Author:  AEG163job [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 11:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: From hydrolastic to beyond....

I'm a big hydro fan. One of my projects is fitting Koni adjustable dampers to the rear, discarding the helper springs and modifying the trailing arm mounts to suit. This includes adjustable dampers at the front and the comp bumpstops as mentioned by the good Doctor. Plus adjustable lower control arms & tie rods. Plus fixing the incorrect toe-in at the rear & neg camber brackets. The result should be interesting.

Author:  1071 S [ Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: From hydrolastic to beyond....

I don't think that will work....

Cheers, Ian

Author:  drmini in aust [ Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: From hydrolastic to beyond....

1071 S wrote:
I don't think that will work....

Cheers, Ian

Me either. I just pulled the back end out of my son's '71 ebay bought clubby and found someone had fitted rear shocks instead of the helper springs. But it had no motor so I dunno if it worked. :roll:
These springs pull the arse down so it sits level, and shocks won't do that.
Now, if you could fit both... but there's no room without performing body surgery.

Author:  AEG163job [ Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: From hydrolastic to beyond....

Well, we will see. i am yet to be convinced the helper springs do much to lower the arse end: they don't seem all that strong.
My view has been these springs simply prevent the hydro strut from disengaging from the displacer when you happen to jack up the rear wheels.
Fiddling when suspension settings is good fun. Much better than block sanding bodywork!

Author:  1071 S [ Wed Apr 18, 2018 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: From hydrolastic to beyond....

Read your PMs ;)

Cheers, Ian

Author:  AEG163job [ Wed Apr 18, 2018 3:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: From hydrolastic to beyond....

Too busy blocking bodywork. Too many projects! :P :P :P

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