Lowering The Mini

Iv been fiddling with the car recently, getting bit and bobs at Bingley etc etc. New twin exit exhaust and smoothy boot are my favourite bits but to complete the look i really want to lower the car.

Question is, i don't know how to do it.

Im already running on hi-los and Spax adjustable dampeners all around, but i think i need new radius arms or change the camber or something - i really have no idea what i'm on about as you can probably tell.

Don't think im stupid, but i really like getting my hands dirty but my mechanical knowledge is useless, but im learning as i go along.

So:

How do i do it and what bits and bobs do i need??

How will it affect the ride too? I'm guessing im going to have to stiffen the suspension so the tyres dont hit the arches. Also, when on full lock the tyres nearly touch the arches at the moment anyway, how would i combat that because lowering is only going to make thtat worse.

The car has sportspack arches with 13x7 deep dish ultralights if that helps.

If you have hilos and adjustable dampers, you've got all the bits you need. You don't need to touch the camber.

The hilos are on car adjustable and can be adjusted to whatever height your after, you probably will need to adjust your dampers to cope.

If your wheels nearly catch at the front, your correct in thinking it'll get worse with lowering the car. You will need to cut your wings more to allow the wheel to clear them. If you've already got 13x7 deep dish wheels fitted, your wings will have already been cut to allow for this, and the wings may well just need a slight bit more to give enough clearance. Theres a thread in the FAQ section about fitting 13x7 wheels and theres some photos of how i did mine in there that'll hopefully help you.

If you have hilos and adjustable dampers, you've got all the bits you need. You don't need to touch the camber.

The hilos are on car adjustable and can be adjusted to whatever height your after, you probably will need to adjust your dampers to cope.

If your wheels nearly catch at the front, your correct in thinking it'll get worse with lowering the car. You will need to cut your wings more to allow the wheel to clear them. If you've already got 13x7 deep dish wheels fitted, your wings will have already been cut to allow for this, and the wings may well just need a slight bit more to give enough clearance. Theres a thread in the FAQ section about fitting 13x7 wheels and theres some photos of how i did mine in there that'll hopefully help you.

Ok then. When i said the tyre is very close to rubbing on the arch already, i meant the actual sportspack arch rather than the wing itself. Im guessing i would need to replace the arches with a different type too??

I think you would have to take off arches cut wing higher then reposition arches slightly higher than before?

if your lowering it i would replace the rubber doghnuts at the same time as it save you doing it all over again in the near future

just remeber when youve lowered it not to lowrer it to where you want it straight off as the suspencion will settle and go even lower, set it a little higher than you want it, take it for a run/ use it for a few days then re-assess it and adjust acording to how you want it.

i would advise stiffened/ adjustable damper (mine rubbed like mad on the back untill i got some)

as for camber, if you want negative camber you will also need to buy adjustable tie rods aswell as the negative camber arms as it will need to adjusted/ set up when they are installed (contact icklemini for this) if your planning on a setup i would advise rear negative camber/tracking brackets also as its worth getting done whilst your there.

if you planning on lowering the rear alot the tubbing the arches may be needed depending on how low you want it (this involves cutting and welding)

if you lower it, get new dampers and add a little camber youll notice a big dofference in handling

Edited by rick.spi, 13 February 2010 - 11:56 AM.