ok guys i have a problem and it is this i have changed my rubber donuts in to the springs which replace them and also put hilos all round now the hilo bolt bent into a L shape 2day as i was driving not a good thing as i am running 12 inch wheels could i have the spring in wrong or something else i have no idea y it did this any one have any ideas

My guess would be that the doughnut dislodged from its seat, and then rattled around the tower as you went over large bumps. With the doughnut sitting wrong in the tower, the load from the suspension would have been out of the bolt's axis and caused it to bend sideways.
You must be happy it didn't ruin the hi-low as well however...the bolt will be easily replaced at least.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

there not donuts there springs that replace the donuts

If you have replaced the original type rubber donuts with those coil springs that are getting about, that is the problem. They do not have enough travel in them, so if you set it at a normal height and drive over a half decent bump, the suspension will bottom out on the spring instead of the bump stop - somthing's gotta give and I think you can say your lucky, could have been much worse.

Sorry to say, since you've spent your cash and done the work of putting them in there, but I'd suggest you put some rubber donuts back in there.

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GT may be on it, another thing I've heard is like what Mick said. seeing as the spring has no retaining lips like the donuts do the springs are more likely to fall out of the subframe. Almost all cars with coil springs have some way of securing the springs in either a bolt or a lip or something. Some of the cheaper springs available may be more prone to problems than others depending on how much work went into the design on the entire system.

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

Go back to a nice new set of donuts dude, from what ive heard and seen theyre a bloody nightmare

The Minitastic ones are the ones to use.

http://www.minitastic.co.uk/home1.htm

they have been properly developed.

they don't pop out & all the uk guys run them, I have not seen one bad review or horro story's or problem at all & they have been around for many years now.

as long as you don''t run the car super low they are fine.

you can also run a helper spring to ensure they stay in some use zip ties for extra lol.

Your just going to smash the bump stops on rebound. Theres no variable rate in them.

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Simplify and add lightness

http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/in ... opic=65132 check that out.

I don`t know why people are against to springs?
You could not be any more wrong. I have it more than a year now and I do lots of twistees.
1) newer came out
2) cornering and holding on to the road when cornering ten times better then rubbers
3) on a normal city or Hwy driving again ten times smoother.
4) Because of much softer less impact on the chassis and body.
Yes I did use brand new rubber donuts before so I know the difference.
Just look at any good handling car (road or race)you will see that suspension is softer so the wheels stick to the road for better grip under any condition.
Down side; increased body roll but that can be overcome by front and rear sway bars.
That is how you set up modern suspension.
Rubber donuts is good if you want keep your car original if you want good suspension take them out better product is available.

I have fitted a set myself to a car I am putting together. Mind you I used a set of Good quality Japanese Springs and Hi Lows made by MST ( Mini Spring Technologies Japan). I am sure these Reputable manufacturers do all necessary tests before they put them out on the market. Also I can not see how these springs can come lose up there when they are under some sort of compression at all stages of travel. Even when the car is jacked up and wheel off the ground it still has pressure on it. Mind you these MST springs are Progressive. I think there must be some cheap copies going around. I have been in a friends car which has MST springs in it too and it is a very different ride which you can not compare with a Rubber coned Mini. Rubber cones are a thing of the past. I think people do things wrong or on the cheap and when the cheap fails it gives the proper good quality parts a Bad name. Does not pay to cut corners.

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DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

you get what you pay for!!

i just put my order in for minitastic fast road springs. kit

ill let you all know

I'd love to see how they ride Nick, make sure you report on them as i've been thionking of this conversion for ages

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you still live in the same place NAV? i could come pick you up when i do it.

see for you're self

HI I got a mini
I've got two guys that run spring in there minis in tarmac rallies and have never had a problem apart from the springs saging after a while as they have only one working coil which is not a good thing,as for bending the bolt be it a 5/8 or 3/4 dia and short bolt at that there has to be some thing very wrong it would take tons to bend a bolt that size at 90 deg would love to see a photo.
Graham Russell

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"It's better to be not informed than ill-informed"