8 replies to this topic

[MiniGilly]

Is it Top secret? I can't for the life of me find what the standard ride height for my 88 Mini should be. Spent hours Googling. No joy! Need to set it up before my next question being who can suggest a really good place within 20 or 30 miles of Shaftesbury to sort the geo now I've fitted all the adjustable stuff?
But if someone can let me know the ride height settings please also let me know if it's measured from sill's to floor or hub to arch etc.
Thanks all, hope you can help.

Paul

[matt050990]

I think you will be fighting a never ending battle mate,

Your suspension will constantly be changing each time to drive it as the cones etc all wear in....

[jaydee]

Leave a three finger gap between arch and wheel and let it settle.

Or you can simply measure and alloy trumpet+ a spacered knuckle joint and set the hi-lo the same lenght, fit and you'll have the car back to its standard height.

[Dan]

Well it sort of is secret yes.  BMC used to publish a figure called a sill height which was the height of the sill seam but it was not the height above ground.  Many people thought it was meant to be measured to the ground and so it caused confusion, but it was actually measured to a datum line that was meant to take any variances in tyre size or pressure out of the equation.  But they never told anyone where to set the datum line to.  As they became BL they also just sort of stopped publishing this figure for standard models as they thought people would look back to older books.  BL were terrible with paperwork and information (and making cars).  BMC also used to publish a trim height of the wing flange above the wheel centre or something like that but again, the data doesn't exist for later models.  What they have always published is an unloaded ground clearance at the lowest point of 6 ¼" for most cars.  This point is essentially the back of the gearbox I think, just ahead of the diff.

 

  As mentioned above the springs settle on these cars, they aren't like cars with steel springs.  The height is slightly different from day to day.  Measure the components not the car.

[Spider]

 I can't for the life of me find what the standard ride height for my 88 Mini should be.

 

I may have the actual factory figures somewhere, but these will assume you have the same tyres as fitted in the factory. however, as a guide, on the front, if you set it such the the drive shafts are flat, then go up 1/2" you'll be at the factory suspension height. Then set the rears 1" above that.

[MiniGilly]

Thank you all for that. Greatly appreciated. The car has 12" Minilite's for reference. With 165/60's or is it 65's? Not near the car just now but I think it's the normal ish 165 profile?
I fancy having a play this wknd with the string method just to get it all a bit straighter before I can get it all properly set up. Probably need more than one bank holiday wknd for that!!

[nicklouse]

Thank you all for that. Greatly appreciated. The car has 12" Minilite's for reference. With 165/60's or is it 65's? Not near the car just now but I think it's the normal ish 165 profile?
I fancy having a play this wknd with the string method just to get it all a bit straighter before I can get it all properly set up. Probably need more than one bank holiday wknd for that!!

sorry very dangerous words.

and if you are done properly there is really no point.

Let me re phrase that if your suspension is fully adjustable dont bother as you are really wasting your time.

if your only adjustments are the toe front and rear no probs go do it. BUT if you have HiLows set them first with normal load in the car.

[nicklouse]

Some info for you anyway.

[MiniGilly]

Ha ha I'm so naive!! Well I get the warnings. I know it's not something simple. I am waiting to get it all done properly. Just thought having fitted all the adjustable components that I could at least get things a little more straight before it goes in. Might learn something??
Normal load you say? Well it's 90% of the time just me so I'll need a lookalike for the drivers seat. I think Brad Pitt is busy? I'll try Matt Lucas!