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PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 4:48 pm 
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Hi All,

This afternoon I pulled apart my front subframe for a freshen up.

I wanted to ask if there are published heights for new and completely rooted rubber cones?
I've never handled a brand new one, but I'm pretty sure mine are now quite a bit shorter than they should be.
I guess I'm trying to determine if they have some life remaining, or if I should install some new ones.

These are obviously quite old. Dunlop branded and 1/2" UNF internal thread.

Thanks :)


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PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 4:52 pm 
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I would replace them while you have it apart. Pretty much if they come up to a point they are new and good. If the top is rounded over and flat they are pretty old and compressed.

My rear ones:
Image
Front
Image

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 7:24 am 
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Onya Timmy...great pics...what would be interesting is to see a "new" cone removed after say a few months load bearing use to see how much the cones naturally compress as they settle in...

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 10:32 am 
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Here's a comparison of the flattened ones out of the front of my car Vs the same age rears from a moke:

Image

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 1:19 pm 
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and that's one reason why you need the spacer (21A1845 Packing washer to raise suspension) under the front trumpet...like I said, a newer example would be interesting...

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 1:40 pm 
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I'm definitely not volunteering to take mine out! They are a real pain in the butt. Replacing the original trumpets with hi-los will let you compensate for any sag, and then you won't need the extra washer or the extra height knuckle joints (GSV1264)

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 4:43 pm 
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I've ordered new ones. I had an idea in my head they were super expensive, but I was wrong :)


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PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:52 pm 
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timmy201 wrote:
Replacing the original trumpets with hi-los will let you compensate for any sag, and then you won't need the extra washer or the extra height knuckle joints (GSV1264)


But you will lose the ride benefits that you get from having an unsagged cone that provides the variable spring rate. That is the whole point of that curve!

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PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:56 pm 
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mickmini wrote:
timmy201 wrote:
Replacing the original trumpets with hi-los will let you compensate for any sag, and then you won't need the extra washer or the extra height knuckle joints (GSV1264)


But you will lose the ride benefits that you get from having an unsagged cone that provides the variable spring rate. That is the whole point of that curve!

I was referring to the initial sag after a few weeks on the road, not the 50+ year old sag that leaves them rock hard. I found it much easier to install them with the hi-los too, I didn't need to use the spring compressor to get them in

I.e. install new cones and hi-los and adjust the ride height to how you want it
In the coming weeks/months they will settle in and will need adjusting back up to the initial height

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PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 3:01 pm 
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Can someone please tell me the length of the cones so I can set my hi-lo's at this approx dimension as a starting point?
Many thanks.


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PostPosted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 4:53 pm 
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I've just found the photos of when I measured my rubber cones:
New ones 90mm
Old front 70mm
Old rear 80mm

I can measure the stock alloy trumpets if you still want? I set mine up so the front driveshafts were horizontal

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PostPosted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 8:35 am 
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timmy201 wrote:
I can measure the stock alloy trumpets if you still want? I set mine up so the front driveshafts were horizontal



If it's no trouble please Tim.
I'm assembling a bare subframe so there's no weight available to set height using the angle of the driveshafts..


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PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2018 8:08 am 
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Whats everyones thoughts on the Coil Spring Conversion?
I have installed it in a Clubman sedan build that's stalled so don't know how it feels on the road, but my Van needs the subframes pulled out and everything renewed, was thinking of upgrading to the coils as well but without a comparison I'm not sure on spending the extra cash.

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