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New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride Kit
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Author:  jprior2912 [ Tue Feb 02, 2016 11:33 am ]
Post subject:  New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride Kit

Hi all,

So the new suspension kit was installed on the mini by my mechanic (I was not doing this myself!)

Set up the ride height and that's alright, dropped a little when it started to settle ect and raised the height back up.

My question is . Are new cones abnormally soft when new? I've got the ride height at the back at about a 3 finger gap each side, which isn't low loookingat all, however if I go over any kind of bump or even go round a corner fast enough, the tyre will hit my flares. I didn't want to raise the height much more or else it'll look ridiculous, but is this normal? Will it get better when they really settle in?

Especially people who installed the Mini Sport Smootha Ride Kit, would really appreciate some advice guys!

Cheers
James

EDIT:: when I had two passengers in the back the other day. The wheels were basically sitting on the flares (couldnt drive it without adjusting) this was from the above stated 3 fingers gap. Seems a lot to drop?

Author:  Aussie Brian [ Tue Feb 02, 2016 11:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride

Fit some competition bump stops to the rear trailing arms to stop the tyres hitting the flares/guard. I also like to cut about 8-10mm off the new bump stop before fitting.

Author:  jprior2912 [ Tue Feb 02, 2016 6:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride

Aussie Brian wrote:
Fit some competition bump stops to the rear trailing arms to stop the tyres hitting the flares/guard. I also like to cut about 8-10mm off the new bump stop before fitting.


Thanks Aussie Brian,

do you mean these?

http://minisport.com.au/pair-of-competi ... bump-stops

It says that they are for Hydro cars, do they fit dry as well? If they do fit, is there any mods needed to fit them?

It seems odd though, I never had issues with my old cones bottoming out at the rear

Author:  drmini in aust [ Tue Feb 02, 2016 6:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride

They can be fitted to dry cars, I have done some in the past.
You need to drill & tap a thread in top of the arm, also move the brake pipe away from the top of arm and secure with a hose clamp or similar.
[edit] Fitting instructions for a dry car are in the kit.

Author:  1071 S [ Wed Feb 03, 2016 6:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride

IMHO you need to raise the ride height. Smooth-a-rides are soft ... they're meant to be in order to provide a cushier ride - which means more movement ....

Setting things up to basically run on the bump stops is just negating the reason for fitting the softer cones.... actually its more like several steps in the wrong direction. Bump stops are there to stop bad things happening as a last resort. Hitting the bump stops half way through a corner will cause a huge spike in the spring rate ....... with nasty consequences.....

Cheers, Ian

Author:  timmy201 [ Wed Feb 03, 2016 7:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride

I'd agree with adding some height to get some decent suspension travel.. The kit comes with "comprehensive instructions", did they specify a ride height for best performance/ride?

Author:  Morris 1100 [ Wed Feb 03, 2016 7:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride

1071 S wrote:
IMHO you need to raise the ride height. Smooth-a-rides are soft ... they're meant to be in order to provide a cushier ride - which means more movement ....

Setting things up to basically run on the bump stops is just negating the reason for fitting the softer cones.... actually its more like several steps in the wrong direction. Bump stops are there to stop bad things happening as a last resort. Hitting the bump stops half way through a corner will cause a huge spike in the spring rate ....... with nasty consequences.....

Cheers, Ian

/\ This.

The cones are progressive rate springs, the more they travel the harder they get. (a brilliant concept)
Let the cone do its job.

Author:  michaelb [ Wed Feb 03, 2016 9:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride

I have the smootha ride kit and car has been on the road for 3+ years now. It took about 6 months to settle down where I then raised it a bit. Been stable in height since then.
Much better ride than my Hydro Cooper S and I probably have the height set a bit higher than 3 fingers as I have a body kit and large muffler which are very close to the ground.
Image

Author:  jprior2912 [ Thu Feb 04, 2016 7:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride

Thank you everyone for your replies,

timmy201 wrote:
I'd agree with adding some height to get some decent suspension travel.. The kit comes with "comprehensive instructions", did they specify a ride height for best performance/ride?


The 'Comprehensive instructions' are a bit of a joke., "remove old cones, install new SMOOTHA RIDE CONES' 'Drive 50km' 'Readjust accordingly'. Don't really specify a ride height as such


This is the current height of the rear:

Image

I'm worried if I raise it much more, it'll start to look a bit funny.

If I do raise the height on the hilo a bit, will the cones eventually settle to a nice height, but still utilise the cones properly?

Cheers
James

Author:  min13k [ Fri Feb 05, 2016 1:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride

The cone itself will not change when you adjust the Hilo all the Hilo will do is adjust ride height. No more no less the cone is independent of the Hilo if you get whit I mean

Author:  bluewhitecoopers1968 [ Fri Feb 05, 2016 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride

It's all a compromise, if you want a smooth supple ride you have to increase your ride height so the cones can work as intended. If you want track day handling and looks, then you will get a harsh ride on the street. The smoother ride cones are not supposed to be that low.

Author:  min13k [ Sun Feb 07, 2016 7:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New Cones - Post Installation/settling in - Smootha Ride

The height of a hi-Lo will not change the way the cone works but it will define how soon it will rub on the gaurds

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