Hi all, here goes the first of mant questions.
I have a 71 mini K Cooper S replica. So its well modified and occassionaly when I hit dips in the road the wheel scrapes on the wheel flare. Makes a horrid noise and can somtimes hit hard enough to momentarily effect the steering. Is this common as a result of flares and mags on a car that wasnt originally designed for. I have learnt how to avoid nearly all spots on my trip between work and home but every now and again forget one. The screws that attach the flare are actually doing minor damage to the tyre tread.
I have heard about lifting the vehicle slightly, which could be an option however I have no idea of cost.
Any suggestions?

Does the car have hydrolastic suspension or dry cone? Hydrolastic it could be low on fluid, dry cone, the rubber cone could have sagged over the years.

Doogie

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I won Hay once, here's the pic to prove it..


Hay, it's not about the car, it's not about the venue, it's about the people that come here. Peter Dwyer, Mayor of Hay NSW.

I think its hydrolastic but Im not sure. What do I look for to tell?

There will be black pipes coming out from above the wheels in the engine bay - look for black pipe that is curved around - its about 1/2" in diameter.

<edit> Here is a pic of my engine bay - its the pipe that (in the photo) is directly in front of the master cylinders - there is a matching pipe on the other side.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

That is one clean engine bay.
No I dont believe I have any pipes like that under the hood. so I guess I dont have hydrolastic. That would suggest then that possible other suspension issues. Its not major but if I can come up with a solution it will make me love the litle guy all the more.

you could get what are called hi-los.

reasonably inexpensive,
these little adjustable cones wil alow you to raise, and lower your car by the turn of a nut!

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-jamie-
1963morris 850
1965 solid side van
1994 rover racecar

But hi los are of no use if your rubbers are shot

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Carl
Previous Owner & Driver of 1 Morris "It's not a Cooper!!" 850

maybe the trumpet/struts have been modified ie shortened to reduce the ride height?

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1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - Slow progress. No time or money!
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.

tyres hitting arch screws...hhhmmmm what wheel and tyre/arch combo are you running. sounds like you've got pizza cutters under arches.
do you have disk brakes or drums, take a pic of your car and put it up if your not sure what you have.
if your running 10's and your getting this either you do have hydro or really worn out rubber cones
if your running 12's, and your getting this either you do have hydro or really worn out rubber cones
im more concerned about "tyres touching the screw's" that doesnt sound right mate

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real men race downhill - keiichi tsuchiya

esactly this was happening on my clubby

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-jamie-
1963morris 850
1965 solid side van
1994 rover racecar

Yeah if it's dry it's either just too low, or the cones are worn out, maybe the shocks are worn too. It's not an uncommon problem, maybe it's possible to fit taller bump stops? Yes it will still bottom out but it won't hit the arches. New cones make a big difference to the ride and would probably fix the problem but cost a bit ($400+ for all four).

If it's hydro then that is easy as you can fit competition bump stops all round which will probably fix it.

Wow thanks everyone. It sounds like I could have all manner of problems but non too big to handle, which is great news. Gunna save a few pennies and go see my friendly mini guy and see if i can get it sorted.

Just see if you an find an ausmini or Victorian Mini Car Club person near you to have a look first though and identify the problem before you go handing over large sums of money for something that might be relatively simple . Post some photo's of the suspension under the front or rear wheel arches and we can tell you what you have to start with and what to look for .

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BTW.....Welcome "The Watto"

Hey every-one, we'd better not let Watto know that there's another "Watto" on ausmini.

Hooroo

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Rod
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/Rodney/

I wonder if we should point the watto in the direction of the watto bum thread?