Hi all, the suspension in my mini is low at the front and high at the rear on both sides. Is this a common thing with hydrolastic suspension? Is there a common fault which causes this?

Yeah it seems to be a fairly common problem with hydro minis. There are helper springs on the back, which pull the rear down to even out the height. These lose their strength over time.. what year mini is yours? The later ones had orange springs which were stronger, might be worth tracking down set of those.. Or you could get some custom ones made, but it'll cost you.

I had another look at it and the both the left and right front suspension is sitting on the bump stops. Is there a restrictor or valve which join the front to rear which could be causing this because i dont think new springs will pull the rear up enough to level it out.

could it be that there is simply not enough pressure in the system or would the front and rear go down evenly if this was the case.

Cheers Phill

Pump it up, I set mine to 3 fingers between the front tyre and wheelarch.
It uses hydrolastic fluid, you need to find someone with a pump.

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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.

Like the Doc says, get it pumped up!

Could also be the front knuckle joints have worn in the top arm, if the boot comes off and road crap gets in they can grind right through the nylon cup and into the arm!

automatic Ho - Lo's !

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Sir Alec! we are not worthy!

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone know of someone who has a pump in Newcastle

It is funny that when a rubber mini is sitting nose down everyone says the rubber springs have sagged but when a Hydro mini sits nose down they blame the helper springs on the rear.
The problem is that the rubber spring inside the hydro bags have sagged.

Hmm well it's funny how mine is still sitting nice and level then.
BTW the rubber spring is OUTSIDE the hydro bags....

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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.

If you pump enough pressure in them they will sit level. (does your car sit at the right hight at the right pressure?)
The rubber spring is the top of the hydro bag.

M1100,
yes it sits pretty level, at the right height, despite the comp rear bumpstops....
yes you are right the rubber `spring' is the top bit, and on an S it's thicker.

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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.

Noooooooooooooooo! The rubber spring is in the fuel tank!!

Nah, just kidding I don't know where it is....

I've got a sagging front (2 fingers front 4-5 fingers rear) at 300 psi. I'm gonna try another set of rear helper springs I've got here (but will prolly wait till I get to Melbourne now).
I'm wondering if it's possible to do it without draining the lines? I thought about jacking the mini up at the back by the swing arm and trying to replace the spring that way if it releases the pressure on the spring. If it doesn't work I'll drain it then. Has anyone tried this method?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.