hi.. noob question but i wanna check the condition of my cones and trumpets, im not even sure if i have hilos in them or not... any guide on where/how to look? can i do it just removing the wheels or do i have to get under the brick? (fronts)

thanks!

Should just be able to take off the wheels. The one with the thread and bolts is the Hilo...

This is what the front looks like with the Hilo

And the rear

And a new/old cone comparison

Images from
http://www.myminiproject.co.uk/lucy/mini23.html

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Ur a champ... Thanks

You can also see the cones in the sub frame under the bonnet just find the top sub frame bolts and look down the fire wall

Im assuming neither of these rubber parts r ment to be like that? I asked jim hunter suspension to look and tell me if anythings wrong when they changed the wheels and they said its all fine? .....
How do i tell the condition on the cone? Do i need to pull the trumpet and cone out to have a look?

Oh and this?

To check the cone just look at the height of the top of the tyre and the guard arch when on the ground

Mine was about a 2 inch gap between tyre and guard until i changed them

Now its about 13 inches from the cv hub nut to the middle bottom of guard arch

Top photo - steering tie rod - boot is gone but that is cheap to replace, if in otherwise good nick.

top arm (middle photo) - looks okay, and at least its seen the grease gun rebound rubber & knuckle boot look fine.

Bottom arm - ahhh now that needs attention, looks like totally gone rubbers, time for replacement.

cheers,

Jacob

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'72 Clubman Van - 1022cc, 295 head, 731 cam - Daily Driver
'69 Morris 1100 S - Dinged by a bus, in shed under repair
'64 Morris 1100 - Early 1100, long term project

Thanks drjbeam and jacob..

Id say if thats what the rubbers you can see look like the donuts will need changing too. Do the lot mate it will completely transform the way it handles.

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1965 Riley Elf
1974 Ex Army Moke
1997 Rover Cooper
2002 JCW Cooper
2003 JCW Cooper S

Yeah was thinking of doing that anyways... These rubbers and cones etc have been in 15 years.
How do u test the shocks to see if they ok?

Can a limited knowledge self mechanic change all this? Or do u need specialized skills or tools?

To test the shocks there's two methods, both require removal, that's relatively easy for fronts and rhr rear, the lhr requires fuel tank removal.
1st method. Grab removed shock and keeping it upright (as mounted in car), pump it in and out like bicycle pump, it should have good resistance.
2nd method. This is the easier and preferred method. Tightly grasp the shock and using one accurate strong movement, throw the shock into your wheelie bin. If it bounces back out, it's good to reuse, if it doesn't then replace it with a new one.
As for the other suspension parts, if you intend keeping the car and actually using it, get onto the likes of MKUK or similar and order new bits. It's way better to do the job once and its done than making it a continuing saga.

Ohh yes i does transform the handle and the ride id recommend a wheel alainment as well also make sure the tie bars at the front aint bent

Nothing new to add except to agree with what was said before mate. Change the lot. Allocate a weekend and you'll realise it's not too hard and the ride will feel heaps better. Just to add to the before / afters, here's mine.

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