Another question guys, along with the panelvan I got a 75 clubman (for a mate) and it has a severe lean to the right. Neither of us has any idea on the suspension setup on a mini and are not sure A: what would have caused it, and, B: how to fix it. The tyres are almost rubbing on the right hand side, front and back it is so severe. Also as far as we know it has not been driven for years.


Sorry but that is the best pic I have so far

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off to NT I go

My guess is it is a hydrolastic mini(although I though hydro minis were phased out before 75, I have a 73 hydro mini) and the pressure on that side has gone down. Pump it up and see if it holds pressure (doesn't sag again) if it goes down you will have to try to find the leak in the hydro system.

Hydro suspension is connected front to back on the same side so that explains why it's lop sided.

<edit> If you look under the bonnet if it is hydro it will have rubber hoses coming out of the top of suspension towers in the subframe it will also have a couple of valves on the rear subframe at the back in the middle under the boot.

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Roads need more corners
A Deluxe(CG13DE), 2 Clubbies(998 and 1275) and 2 Morris 1100Ss

Looks like the classic hydrolastic lean!
Has hoses coming from the tops of the front suspension towers?
Then it's hydrolastic suspension.

Just needs a pump up on one side, so long as one of the bags isn't stuffed.

If it's dry suspension - you've got major problems


edit <fuzzy beat me to it>

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Too many cars, and too little time.

my guess is its on hydro suspension and the bags are stuffed on that side.

EDIT: wtf two people beat me, oh well

I'd say its a early clubman 71-73 model fitted with hydrolastic suspension, & the system has sagged over the years, easily fixed by topping up the system with the special hydrolastic pump.

doogie

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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.

As per above

If , on the other hand it's not a hydrolastic suspended mini , it could be the alloy suspension trumpet has corroded through and collapsed or broken , the steel knuckle/ball at the bottom of the trumpet could have broken or there could be a major wear problem in the top arm where the knuckle/ball sit's . Whichever it is it's a straight forward replace job from a donor mini , or if it's the trumpet , a good excuse to fit some hi-lo's ....

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I have seen DRY suspension trumpets corrode and collapse before....it's not uncommon.

I would say that this is the issue.

Rear seems about the right height.

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Website: www.justanothermini.com

I have been DRIVING and had the trumpet colapse.. really wasn't too bad just tyre scrubbed out around corners to start then scrub fully.

Chocked it up to get it home. Good opportunity to fit Hi-los

b

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hell my minis like that and the suspension is fine (it leans coz im so heavy)

lol
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

okay guys, seems like some of you were right and others were waaaay off! seems the knuckle ball pin has snapped down towards the ball end. So.........what now? how do I take that out and do I just replace it with another knuckle ball pin? Hi-los will come later.


Cheers nunny.


will take some photos later if anyone needs them for a diagnosis

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off to NT I go

I'd buy the knuckle as a kit with the nylon cup and new boot, replace the lot.
You have to wonder what made that ball pin break- maybe the ball has worn thru the nylon cup and into the arm...
I'd check the other 3 corners while you are at it, these knuckle joint kits are cheap.
Then, It might ride level again.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

The easiest way to replace it is to beg/borrow/steal/make a rubber cone compresser which is basically a longish bolt you thread into the rubber cone . You do this by removing the rubber plug (if it's still there) in the engine bay between the two bolts or nuts that mount the subframe on that side . If you look at the squarer section of the firewall you'll see there's two bolts or nuts on either side of the engine bay roughly below the bonnet hinges . With the cone compressor you are pulling the rubber suspension cone upwards allowing the alloy trumpet to be pulled out (easier to knock the top ball joints off so you can push the lower arm down . Once the trumpets out (may take some "persuading" to let go of the rubber cone , they can grow onto them over time) remove the remainder of the knuckle and replace it with a new one and reassemble . Have a read of a manual if you've got one for a description of the rubber cone compresser or search it on here , I think there's a few threads on doing this job .

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Thread in the rubber cones is 1/2" UNF, if making a compressor be aware there are TONS of force involved here. I used high tensile threaded rod and nuts.
You will also need to spread the load onto the top of subframe, there is NO strength around that big hole.
Here's a pic of mine-

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.