11 replies to this topic

[matthewbloodaxe]

Hello All,


I have acquired a 1989 rover mini flame red with the intention of fixing as much of it as I can myself.

Anyway, the fisrt major task was to replace the rear subframe. After removal of the subframe and breakdown of the attached parts, I found that quite a lot of other parts were corroded and needed refurbishing and painting or replacing.

But to cut a long, long story short I prised the metal trumpets and rubber cones from the old subframe and now I need to attach them to the new one. The rubber cone is still attached to the metal trumpet in both cases.


So in order to attach them to the new subframe, do I need to detach the rubber cone from the trumpet? I have tried this and I have not succeeded. Also do I just need brute force to push or pull the rubber cone over the ring on the subframe? It is a very, very tight fit.


Any advice would be much appreciated.
Regards, Matt

[bmcecosse]

Should be snug fit - I would say 'yes' - you should get the trumpet off the cone. Chisel usually works well!

[matthewbloodaxe]

Thanks for the advice. I'll give it another go tomorrow.

The rubber cone has an M12 screw thread in the end. Do you know if I need to use it for anything?


Matt

[taffy1967]

No, the thread is only present because the rubber springs are identical on the front and rear. So the thread is required for the rubber springs on the front so a cone compressor can be used.

For the rear the thread is pretty much redundant.

[Boycie]

If you've gone to all that trouble Matt, why not ditch those (worn-out unless recently replaced) rubber dougnuts and fit new anyway? As said, they need to be removed to easily fit the suspension without issues.. I normally manage it by holding the doughnut on the floor with my feet and getting rough with the ally trumpet, pulling it left and right to break the seal.
Assemble it with the corrosion cleaned off, and some copper grease where the cone and 'doughnut' connect

[matthewbloodaxe]

Haha, that was interesting.

Spent a couple of hours today trying to get the rubber cones off the aluminium struts. The manual I own and also internet sources show different struts to the ones I have. I can't find reference to them anywhere. Also the rubber cones have no threaded inserts.

The struts have a spherical end as shown here; http://www.flickr.com/photos/29259232@N08/4220238074/ and here; http://www.flickr.com/photos/29259232@N08/4219473603/. (the red paint is courtesy of myself).


I have had to order new rubber cones as I resorted in the end to cutting them off with a saw. They were completely bonded to the ends of the struts.

Is this just some cheapo mickey mouse repair or is there another type of aluminium strut?


Matt

[Boycie]

Aha! The threaded bit on the end of the cone in your pictures is part of the 'doughnut'! It is supposed to come off the ally strut..

[Dan]

The part that was bonded to the rubber is part of the cone, not the trumpet. You still haven't seperated them! That steel cap is not part of the ally trumpet.

[matthewbloodaxe]

Thanks for the advice fellas, They were corroded on really badly. In the end we had to heat them up with a blow lamp and use a hammer and chisel as suggested.

[minidavid]

I'm in exactly same place, subframe off, got trumpets out by levering off, getting them bakc on has proved a pig so far, cant really afford to buy new ones but probably should,

Iv found where to buy the rubber doughnut but cant find the trumpet, anyone got a link?

cheers

[jayare]

New trumpets are available from Minispares. but at that price (each!) you'd be bonkers to buy a pair as even a full car set of proper genuine Hi-Lo's is cheaper! Second hand would be the way to go - either in the classifieds on here or on eBay,

JR

[minidavid]

yer just been looking at them, thinking bout summit like this?

http://www.minisport...fo_SUSKIT5.html

what u reckon?