Don Welch wrote:
Leroy-Riding wrote:
Thanks for the replies.
There seems to be air bags availible in near enough to the correct size, however as pointed out in this thread the issue is the way in which the arms 'lever' on the bags. .
I think I will just end up going coils, as seeing as my bags have sat empty and unsealed for likely the better part of 5 years I don't think there will be much hope in saving them is the thread linked early is any indication of what to expect.
Airbags was meant to be a cheap way to overhaul the suspension. i.e. $350 for the bags, already have a compressor suitable, a few valves and lines and a tank(also have) would have been about $5-600 for to do. . .
Leroy.
Motion ratio (lever) is what you need to keep in mind. The hydrolastic rubber spring within the bags themselves have a spring rate in excess of 5000lb/inch. No conventional shock absorber can keep up with that motion ratio, which is why on the dry suspension the shock absorbers are mounted closer to the wheels (reducing the motion ration). If your referring to air-assist air bags such as PolyAir Springs (Goodyear Mgf) or AirbagMan (Firestone Mfg), which are an assistance airbag that "helps" a coil or leaf spring with shock absorber, you need to do more homework. These are not designed to be used in place of anything. Most of these systems work at 150psi max, and still would need a spring and shock absorber for ride quality... in which case just go dry and sell your bags to fund the changeover.
Cheers, Don
hi Don,
I am not referring to helper airbags, i understand their intended use and am aware they are not suitable int his instance.
My plan was to add shock's in the same place as would be on a dry setup mini in addition to the airbags.
I have been given the information required which lets me know airbags are not suitable for the application in mind unless I was to place them where the shocks would go (such as this kit:
http://airride.co.uk/2012/08/classic-mini/)
which would not be viable for me as I was going to attempt to keep price down due to the access to cost price airbags and already having half the required parts if I was replace the hydro bags with air bags.
I am happy to go with the wet setup and had planned to do so until reading that chances of there failure after sitting empty and dry for so long is so high and at a replacement cost of roughly $160 a bag im told was investigating other options.
I already have a set of dry sub frames in my other mini which I might steal for this project and convert over then look towards fitting coils in the wet sub frames and putting these into the other mini when it comes time for its rebuild. . i have a few options and was only after the specs to see if the idea in my head was possible of which I am now sure is not due to the exact issue you have mention.
I'll repeat though I was NOT intending on using helper/assist bags/
Leroy.
edit: link added
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1967 Mini Deluxe bucket of rust and mismatched parts powered by a 1360cc and a destroyed gearbox missing second gear
