43 replies to this topic

[[email protected]]

Hi guys,

I previosuly started a thread regarding a problem i had where i stripped the thread on the suspension cone when using a compression tool.

I am not buying another compression tool for £30 and i don't want to buy another cone for £30 either.

I'm sure many other people on here would like to know how hi-lo's are fitted without a compression tool! .....as i know it can be done via removal of the top arm.

Please can someone help me get my hi-lo's fitted and use this thread for future reference to anyone wanting to fit hi-lo's without splashing out on unnecessary tools.

I will look forward to people's suggestions as to how they did it.

Thanks a lot,

Mike

[tomsbluemini]

The top arm needs to come out to get the cone out anyway.

I don't think it's possible without a compression tool...

[jaydee]

Theres no other way, you need to compress the cones to take trumpets out.
Nowadays almost all cones are metric thread, o you can but a cheaper compression tool for just 15 quid, or you can always make you tool yourself, but its necessary for the job.

[paul6266]

you can cut the alloy cone in half or just drop out the top arm, but i would go with dropping out the top arm, its quite easy too

[jaydee]

Thats simply UNSAFE.

[paul6266]

i dont mean run it with a cut cone!!! thats only for the stupid, you can cut the cone to pull it out if your CAREFULL

[tomsbluemini]

i dont mean run it with a cut cone!!! thats only for the stupid, you can cut the cone to pull it out if your CAREFULL

And then you need a compression tool to get the new one back in...

[paul6266]

i have found a can wind the cone right down and just wiggle it back in, but like i said guys you are just iswell dropping the top arm out

[jaydee]

You cant remove the top arm without compressing the cone forst. Then you cant cut the alloy trumpets in two.
The rubber cone loads tons of compression through the alloy trumpet, if you break it in pieces, it will damage the top arm and could be very harmful for you working on the mini.

[paul6266]

but i took out the top arm without compressing the cone the other day it was not too much trouble honest, its not just me being a arse

[[email protected]]

I have seen posts by several people quoting they have done it without a compression tool? So it must be possible!

From what i gather, can't you remove the top arm via the balljoint, undoing the two nuts and removing the pin, and by undoing the shock absorber?

Then (again, from what i have gathered), don't you take the cone, trumpet & knuckle out etc, put the cone back in with the hi-lo (and new knuckle) wound down to its smallest? Then put the top arm back with the pin etc and re-connect everything.

Someone mentioned applying pressure to the top arm to get the pin back in.....and they didn't use a compression tool? I don't know if he meant hand pressure or what?

[paul6266]

basicly yes thats how i have done it before, i had to use a big screwdriver to lever the top arm back into place but it wasnt loads of pressure it was just i only have 2 hands and one knee at the time lol

[Guess-Works.com]

Really depends how ****ed your front cones are...

but the long and short of it is, there's no substitute to using the proper tools, and cone compressors are not that expensive.

[paul6266]

yeah mini doc i will agree with you there, you cant beat proper tools but dropping the top arm will work its just down to personal choice

[Cooperman]

I once had to sort out a Mini where the car had been fitted with new cones and top-arm cups/ball-ends. Unfortunately the top of the trumpet was not seated squarely in the rubber cone as the compresion tool was released and the cone then took a 'set' at a slight angle which prevented the comp. tool from being re-engaged. The car arrived here on a trailer and I drilled about 4 holes through the alloy trumpet, then gave it a few 'mighty smacks' with a large chisel and a big club hammer. That shattered the trumpet and I was able to straighten up the cone into its seating and compress it with the comp. tool before fitting a new trumpet.
I really don't see how it is possible to fit the new trumpet (or hi-lo) without the one compressed and it sounds foolish to attempt it without the correct tools.

Edited by Cooperman, 08 March 2010 - 04:51 PM.