20 replies to this topic

[dickster]

Hi,

I have a 1995 Cooper and am having arch rubbing issues and a rattle from RHF wheel arch on the leading front edge of the arch with my 6x10 alloys wearing 165 rubber, never used to catch when I had standard 12" on 165 but always had the rattle which appears after a few minutes and remains constant even on smooth roads, fitted new wheel bearing still have rattle and now rubbing on RHF only. Also had new swivels last year and they were double checked but they're ok still.

Though that I'd treat the whole suspension to a freshen next month up so will replace shocks, cones and fit hi-los (also thought that if the rattle was the nuckle then I might as well go the whole hog whilst we're dismantling) the RHF sits ever so slightly lower than the LH front but only enough to just notice so though new suspension and hi-los means I would be able to raise the RHF slightly to clear the arch maybe?

I was wondering if it is possible to tell if this cone looks tired from this pic of my LH front or do they generally all look like that when fitted and old?

[DTXDave]

Your cone has collapsed. You cannot see the top lip of your trumpet because the cone has collapsed over it. It's a doughnut as they say.

I replaced my front suspension for the same reason, tyres rubbing on front of wheel arch after switching from 145 to 165s.

Link to front suspension change with photos - Fitting front adjustable suspension

DTXDave

[jaydee]

Replace knuckle joints too.

[ado15]

WOW! They are totally collapsed! You will now be riding on the bump stops which seriously degrades the ride and handling. Fitting new cones will vastly improve the feel of the car. When you first fit them it will sit way up in the air. People forget that there was something like 5" between the tyre and arch when they left the factory. But they handle so much better like this than very low, at least on bumpy roads.

The cones on later cars only tend to last about 40-50k miles before they sit on the bump stops. Basically, the cars gained a lot of weight in the front and the spec of the cones never changed.

HTH

[dickster]

Wow-thanks for the replies, having never seen a cone showing signs of average wear and tear I was unsure what I was looking at but it seems like your collective knowledge has been most helpfull-thanks.

[DTXDave]

This is a cone under normal load after 10,000 miles viewed through the engine bay. Note how you can see the cone sitting on the top lip of the trumpet:



This is from another angle. The markings were in answer to a previous question about the correct angle of the trumpet and cone:



DTXDave

[pr3nna88]

hello
i have jst bought a 1989 mini flame
my front driver side cone has also collapsed by the look of it
how much did it cost to get it repaired?
i have looked around on mini site on the net and found some for about 20quid.
so just need to get one fitted.
thanks
Ash

[shorty]

hello
i have jst bought a 1989 mini flame
my front driver side cone has also collapsed by the look of it
how much did it cost to get it repaired?
i have looked around on mini site on the net and found some for about 20quid.
so just need to get one fitted.
thanks
Ash

those 20quid ones will be non genuine jobbies and wont last long..you want the genuine dunlops around 30 odd quid each.

[lynnloz]

Hi,

Not wanting to sound too daft, but I think I have a similar problem, where my off-side is just missing the wheel arch, but rubs when turning, it never used to but has just started this weekend.

I have attached a picture of my off-side cone, and if possible confirmation would be great before spending out on a tool and a set of cones etc.

I take it they are not so bad to do, split top and botton swivels, shock out of the way and then drop the cone unit down.

Thanks for any advise

Regards
Loz

 off_side.JPG   126K   33 downloads

[Pauly]

If its leaning on one side then I would edge my bets on the cone, doesn't look in good shape from the pics.

Its the case of splitting ball joints then compressing cone, removing top arm pin and removing the trumpet and top arm, then remove cone.

Always do both sides aswell.

Paul.

Edited by Pauly, 27 September 2009 - 07:15 PM.

[Sherlock]

Never use cheap non-genuine rubber cones, I once read a report by Keith Calver on the subject, you might as well leave the old ones in. Whilst on the subject, work carefully while the spring is compressed, there's a lot of tension on that thread & if it lets go you need to be out of the way,

[shorty]

Never use cheap non-genuine rubber cones, I once read a report by Keith Calver on the subject, you might as well leave the old ones in. Whilst on the subject, work carefully while the spring is compressed, there's a lot of tension on that thread & if it lets go you need to be out of the way,

ill be a witness to the cones having a lot and i mean a lot of tension on it
nearly lost a couple fingers in the process of changing one of mine

[lynnloz]

Hi,

Firstly thanks to everyone for thier tips, tricks and warnings.

Changed the cones today, brought the proper tool and and cones from mini spares, lovely stuff all went like clockwork. just forgot to buy a 1 5/16 socket for the subframe tower bolt, luck that the local garage let me borrow thiers.

Tip for others unless I missed something, don't over tighten the new cone with the special tool as it can miss-shape the cone base and stop you fitting the trumpet, once I sussed this and released the pressure a little it all fell into place.

Pic below shows old and new.

Lovely ride height now, and if anyone is in the Totton area and needs to borrow the tool just drop us a line.

Once again amny thanks everyone

Regards
Lawrence

 old_new_cone.jpg   45.67K   33 downloads

[Boycie]

Nice one, bet it feels loads better to drive.

[rossibran]

HHHEEEEEELLLLLLPPPPP !!!!!!!!!

Hello people. I'm new to all this minit stuff having just returned to them after a ten year lay off. Today I've had my front rubber replaced and knuckle joints etc and all seemed well until I got home. I have noticed that the car is still on the p**s. But the rear one seems lower too. What could this be?

Brandon