Okay,

So I have a hydro front subframe, rear dry subframe, and a hydro to dry conversion kit which i purchased from minisport.




Ive done a search on how to fit the kit, but all i find is people whining about how hydro is better, etc..

Can anyone give me a straight forward "How to" guide on fitting the kit i have purchased?

also, what mods will have to be made to subframes? and is there any special tools that will be needed?

Thanks, Mark.

Geez, I'll try not to whine but we'll see...

The hydro lines will need to be drained carefully, use a bike pump connector hose directed into a bucket. Don't underestimate 300 PSI of glycol and alcohol..and it's pretty yuk when it sprays all over the garage floor, the car and you. Best to do this with the car on the ground so you can squeeze out the last of the glycol hydro fluid.

Get the car up on axle stands, you will need to remove the suspension upper arms to get the hydro bag out out (they're held up by a small bracket and two screws inside the suspension tower), and you can put the new doughnut and trumpet in while you are there. A mini rubber cone spring compressor will be needed to get it all back together. The upper arm will also need to be drilled to suit the lower shock absorber mount bolts if the conversion kit bolts are 3/8th in diameter, or replace the upper arms with dry suspension units. The upper mounts will bolt into pre-existing mounts on the inner guards.

Same on the back, the return springs will need to be taken off (means taking out the tank) and the hydro bag and arm removed. The rear trailing arms will need to have the new stub axles pressed in ( a job for a machine shop without a large press at home). Or replace the rear trailing arms with dry units outright. Might be some small stuff I've forgotten...

Undo the nuts holding the hydro bags onto the hydro tubes in the engine bay or back of the rear subframe, but you can leave the underbody tubes and fittings in situ. At the risk of whining they might be useful to someone trying to convert back in the distant future, and they're not in the way at all..

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

Or give me or tony a call.
but I think Mick covered most things
-Andrew

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Andrew@Minisport, South Australia
Ph: 08-8177-1275
Skype: minisport.au

www.minisport.com.au
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