16 replies to this topic

[ydb]

Hi,

 

I recently bought a classic mini (Mini Special MPI, 1998) and currently I'm replacing the standard trumpets with hi lo's and fitting new shock absorbers.

However, when I removed the rubber cone I was wondering if it was worn.

 

How can you tell that your rubber cones need to be replaced? I thought it would make sense to measure the height and compare it with new ones.

Does anyone know what the height of a standard rubber cone is?

 

Thanks,

 

ydb

[Tamworthbay]

Post a pic up if you can. Generally they seem to last 5-8 years and then go off their best. Tired ones are flat where the cone goes in, often with an imprint of the cone base on them. New ones are very much more 'perky', sorry, pointy.

[Wise Old Elf]

I am reluctant to throw my old cones out after having other rubber item perish in a blink of the eye.

Are the new cones (rubber compound) any good?

[alex-95]

Like above old ones will be flat like the pic below.

[ydb]

Mine are quite similar to the left one. So I guess I should replace them.

[Craig89]

That's a good picture to demonstrate the difference

[wile e coyote]

Op please don't be tempted to buy the cheaper offerings out there - front ones a pain to change and you really don't want to be doing it too often - hilos really help though!! Been doing the exact job today (luckily has some nos wrapped rover items ready to fit ....although going to need a couple for the back...

Consensus seems to be the minispares supplied ones are about as good as you can currently get........steer clear of fleabay!

[FlyingScot]

Have bought ebay, a sport name mini company and one related to a h cow in a field :eh:
By degrees from terrible to not so good let's say.
I only buy minispares ones now....

Your mileage may vary....

FS

[ydb]

Here is a picture of mine. What do you guys think?

Attached Files

•  IMG_20141012_182357_1.jpg   25.88K   22 downloads

Edited by ydb, 12 October 2014 - 04:28 PM.

[72clubman]

Looks like mine! I'd replace them.

 

 

Joe

[racingbob]

whats the difference when replacing them

 

my backs don't seem to bad at all

 

but fronts when I look under, look pressed down an awful lot

 

but car drives ok

[72clubman]

I just changed my rears as mine rubbed when I had people in the back.

 

It's made quite a difference, it seems much tighter at the back. Although I haven't had a chance to take it for a proper burn yet as my diffs on the verge of exploding. 

 

Joe

[wile e coyote]

Difference is immediately noticeable - well your car will be in the air for a few days looking like a bigfoot but will soon settle - don't worry about weird & wonderful camber and caster angles for a bit - get geometry corrected when all has settled - a week maybe two... choppy ride is immediately gone - you'll suddenly realise that mini's actually do have suspension of sorts and can take bumps without shattering your spine...and responsiveness is significantly enhanced...

 

Front cones under significantly more load than rears so the will look a little more like a mushroom sooner.......cost a few bob and a fiddle to do but very worthwhile....

 

If anyone is feeling tight then the o/e spec (or as close as)  minispares variety at the front........and whatever you choose at the back as you will have to swap again shortly!!!....rears 5 minutes....fronts....a couple of hours!! - the number one benefit of hilo's

[72clubman]

From this 

 

 

To 

 

 

I'd heard the rears were easy as well. It was going swimmingly until the cones decided they wanted to stay attached to the trumpets! 

Had to cut them off with an angle grinder.

Oh and One of the nylon cups also decided that it didn't want to come out either! 

 

Ended up taking a few hours in the end. 

 

 

 

Defintely worth doing though. 

 

Joe

[ECRyder]

Can anyone please suggest a height at which a used rear suspension classic Mini rubber cone should be replaced.. Ive seen varying measurements for the height of a NEW one at 93mm and 90mm.

Trying to guess whether a cone is sagged (or over compressed) is so subjective when they retail at £60 a piece.  My used one on drivers rear side doesnt look obviously "flat" so I would rather go by definite measurements. Its a  standard 79 Mini  850 with a genuine 12000 miles.

Regards

Chris