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Hydro Suspension
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17719		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  grayboy [ Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Hydro Suspension
Hi all from the nubie,
I was hoping to get some advice on what options are available for raising the front end of my mini K. The hyro has recently been serviced and working properly, the problem is I'm running on 12's and the left hand front keeps catching on the gaurd. As far as I'm aware Hi Lo's are only to be able to be used on Dry set ups.
Any thoughts :?:
Author:  drmini in aust [ Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
You could pump it up, but sounds like you've done that already.
If it's low at front and real high at back, the `helper springs' on the back are probably stretched. They actually pull the back of the car down, which displaces fluid forward raising the front.
The later ones are stronger and colour coded orange, if you find any.

You can raise the front a little by putting a washer between the strut (is hydro version of trumpet) and the knuckle ball, do both sides.

If it's sitting more or less level and only one tyre is rubbing, maybe something is bent in the front end, or it's had panel damage. :wink:
Author:  grayboy [ Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the advice,
I just ran out to the shed and the rear is about 20mm higher than the front, and thats about all I need on the front to avoid th problem. Do you know if you can buy the springs new?
Author:  Lillee [ Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
The other thing that I have discovered happens to many hydro suspensions is the fact that the rear trailing arms are not greased regularly. What happens is that they can harden or even seize anf therefore makes the front seem to sit lower than normal no matter how much you pump the hydro.

Grease up those rear arms with 15-20 pumps of a grease gun (or until you see grease oozing out of the seals). Keep doing this everytime you are under the car. Lillee's use to have a big front end lean until i started doing this often and it has gone away permanently.
Author:  grayboy [ Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
All makes alot of sense it has been along time since the rear suspension has seen any TLC.
P.S It's not that good in the hills
Author:  drmini in aust [ Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
It is normal for the rear to be a little higher than the front on a hydro. Otherwise, it would bottom out with rear seat passengers.
How high is it sitting? I run 165/70-10s, the front height I use for road work is 3 fingers between tyre and wheelarch. :wink:
Author:  simon k [ Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
the front bags do a lot more hard work than the rears, so wear out faster.... finding a set out of the back of another car to put in the front of yours is the last resort. But 2cm difference between the height front to rear is OK - standard is 3 fingers between the tyre and the mudgard at the front, and 4 at the back

but things to check to tell if your car is in "standard" condition - with the car on a flat surface....

    how much distance is there between the front bump stops and the subframe? - about an inch is really the minimum for an every day road car to handle 'all round' road conditions

    are the drive shafts horizontal to the ground? if not, they should be...

    and do you know what pressure is in the hydro system - 263psi is standard on a Cooper S, I have mine at 270.

    if these points are right for your car, then it's a pretty good chance you have a bent subframe and/or mudgard. If you have flares, just trim some of the metal


Kev, I think it's been asked before, but is there a reliable way to shorten the helper springs?

What about shortening the rear rods, or making them adjustable, thereby lowering the back-end, but maintaining the same pressure
Author:  Lillee [ Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hills is where all minis live :lol:

While you're at it, grease all the nipples at the front too 8)
Author:  smac [ Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:14 am ]
Post subject: 
You guys missed the mention of 12's? 8)

If they're 12's they also probably/perhaps have more offset and yes they will foul the guards at teh front. Guard 'adjustment' may be needed (with flares)
Author:  simon k [ Fri Mar 31, 2006 5:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
smac wrote:
You guys missed the mention of 12's? 8)

If they're 12's they also probably/perhaps have more offset and yes they will foul the guards at teh front. Guard 'adjustment' may be needed (with flares)


nah, hydro cars are usually fine with 12"s, they'd have to have 70 profile tyres on them to cause hassles - but yeah, maybe if they had obscene offset
Author:  grayboy [ Fri Mar 31, 2006 5:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Had a good chance to get under the car, and unfortunately it seems to be sitting on the bump stops. Like I said, I have already had the hydro looked at and paid decent $$$$'s for. Anyone got any ideas for hydro specailists. I'm in the hills district so somewhere close would be good, preferably with not too many L H turns :wink:
Author:  drmini in aust [ Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
PM sent.:)
Author:  Benmcf1 [ Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
:wink:
Good to see ya here Grayboy.
Author:  grayboy [ Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
likewise fellow bogan
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