37 replies to this topic

[yeti21586]

thanks thats a massive help!!

[GraemeC]

That lower ball joint looks odd.
Good write up though.

 
Yeah, that lower one was a bit worn, bit did the job here that I was after.

I agree something doesn't look right - the ball joint pin doesn't seem to be in the arm far enough. I know having no dust boots on there make it look a little different to normal, but I'd expect the gap between dome nut and arm to be similar to the top arm.
Are you sure you've got the correct side bottom arm for the set up? It looks like the taper is the wrong way to let it seat properly (the amount of exposed thread also looks too small)

Edited by GraemeC, 21 December 2014 - 09:39 PM.

[petey81]

Thats what i think looks too long.

[Spider]

 

 

That lower ball joint looks odd.
Good write up though.

 
Yeah, that lower one was a bit worn, bit did the job here that I was after.

I agree something doesn't look right - the ball joint pin doesn't seem to be in the arm far enough. I know having no dust boots on there make it look a little different to normal, but I'd expect the gap between dome nut and arm to be similar to the top arm.
Are you sure you've got the correct side bottom arm for the set up? It looks like the taper is the wrong way to let it seat properly (the amount of exposed thread also looks too small)

 

 

 

Gee, you guys really think so?

 

Could you post up a pic of one that's been assembled that way?

[Cooperman]

If you try to fit a LH arm onto the RH side, the taper pin won't go very far through the arm. In fact, I don't think you could even get a nut onto it.

Personally I can't understand this desire to lower a road Mini. It really serves no positive purpose and will inevitably reduce the available suspension travel, which is needed for brisk motoring on twisty and bumpy minor roads.
The best thing is to just make sure that the suspension settings are spot-on and that there is no wear or play in all the bushes and joints.

[Dan]

Be very careful trimming bumpstops, they are the length supplied for a reason.  If you let the suspension travel further than intended you can snap the ball joints when they reach the end of travel.  Poly bumpstops are shorter, but also harder.

You will not beable to go that far on a standard frame. The arm will contact the sub frame before you get to boll joint popping point.

So I see from the pictures, sorry about that. It surprises me though as I'm pretty sure I can't get my hubs to lift that far when I'm changing a spring or something. I'm also pretty sure that with the rebound buffer removed my top arms come right down on the frame which is why you have to wedge them up to make it easier to pull the hub.

I like the idea of using hydro stops just to avoid the hassle of swapping out a traditional dry suspension one that's failed, as they do come away from their plates quite easily and need swapping which is a real pain even with the single nut ones. I was going to try to bend up a spanner to fit into the tower, as with the single nut stops you really just need to be able to hold the nut. I might just get hydro stops now though.

Believe it or not there actually was a company selling poly road springs here a few years back. Completely inappropriate material!

Edited by Dan, 22 December 2014 - 11:46 AM.

[Spider]

If you try to fit a LH arm onto the RH side, the taper pin won't go very far through the arm. In fact, I don't think you could even get a nut onto it.

 

 

Yeah, that's actually spot on, it hardly goes in at all, in fact, the thread doesn't even show. I think these guys were pulling our leg, just having a bit of fun!      I'm all for that

[nicklouse]

I have to say the lowere ball joint does look odd as there is no protruding thread as would be expected and seen on the upper ball joint.

Also I have noticed that the tie bar is not in place. So the kingpin angle and camber will be off a bit.

I feel that the added weight of the wheel would also change the results as it will have a very different effect on the rubber pivots.

Will do some measurements/pics etc on mine when I rebuild it. Will be a while yet though.