Hi,
Im just wondering if there is a way to lower the rear on my hydro deluxe. Ive heard that letting fluid out lowers the car, but does this lower the front and the rear? I only want to lower the rear, really happy with the way the front sits, the guard is just above the tyres. The rear has quite a large gap. About 3 inches.
Thanks for your help.
Joe

Thats just the way the car was designed, don't fiddle with the suspension, if you really want to do that, stick a bag os cement in the boot, but deffinately don't let the fluid out to lower it, it will go down front and rear, no way around that, so leave all well alone.

Check that your "helper springs" are in good condition.
They pull the back end of the car down to a reasonable level.

As Davo said, letting fluid out will drop the front too.

_________________
Too many cars, and too little time.

I've not owned a Hydro car (mine was converted before I got it ), but wouldn't you just shorten the trumpets on them, the same as dry cars..? Or switch to Hi-Los?

I agree about not letting out fluid - best to leave the fluid pressures/levels as designed.

I wasnt going to let fluid out. Took a lot of work to get it pumped up. It may be the helper springs. They seemed to be pretty stretchy when the fluid was let out and the rear jacked up. Could bounce the rear wheels like a basketball. Is this normal?

It is with the stock bags. Air in the system will only make this worse.

The competition bump stops you can get for the front would lift it up but only for as long as the rubber retains its shape. I can't work out why a washer between the front knuckle and the bag wouldn't help like on a dry car.....not sure how the fluid moves in this instance in my mind...

Anyone got a definitive answer? I haven't tried this on my own hydro cars......

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

Make sure your rear trailing arm grease nipples are well greased. I have seen a few deluxe/K's that have seized rear trailing arms and hence the sagging of the front end...

A reasonably "loose" and greased system, pumped up should sit around 2-3 fingers front and back with or without bump stops. The bump stops are really just there when going around fast corners or bottomming out on suspension when going over bumps.

Grease up the back end, jack her up from the front to put all the weight at the back and see if the bags/arms go down. Put her back on the floor and it should be equal. If not, get new springs as said, or service your hydro as there could be gunk in the system

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

That's the accepted method of adjusting the ride height on a hydro car, when the bags have stretched a little. I need to do this on mine, I've got nearly 300psi and it's still not quite high enough.

_________________
Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

I get 3 finger rear, two front, so it's not so bad....but I might still give it a try...

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

You know where the pump is if you need another lend

_________________
Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Cheers!

I've gotta make my own yet....and it would be nice if it incorporated an electric pump as well....

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

Mmm.. not a bad idea at all

_________________
Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

I run about 350psi in my hydro cars which puts them about the right height.But this is based on 10" wheels.

Helper springs are teh first to check and also the rear knuckle joint.

Have also found some cars have excessive air in the system which caused the back to sit lower, but could never work out why.

There are many cheats to stiffen up hydro cars but they are a secret.

_________________
- 1962 Beige Delight club car, Rebuilding.
- Motorkana Special
- Minor Mishap, 1958 Morris Minor

-- Last ever Tea Lady at Longbridge--

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BRAND-NEW-2900PS ... 240%3A1318

Might be a bit too high but at least it wouldn't be struggling to get up to pressure . Look out if a hose blows though , I've got hydro fluid in my eyes once before and it aint pretty .

_________________

my last mini... 66 deluxe was able to have the front and back adjusted seperetly.
i had the lines cut and the valves added so i could let fluid out from the front only and fluid out from the rear only.
i had this done so i could get the car to my prefered height.
it came in handy later on as i had it converted from hydro to dry so i was able to do the front and rear at different times to help my buget.
i had my car runninf hydro in the rear and dry at the front for about 6 months..till i could afford to get the rear done too.
proberly not pratical but it worked for me.

_________________
started a new project...there goes all my free time....