8 replies to this topic

[Junaid]

Hi All

Can someone advise what is the minimum clearance required between bump stop and upper control arm

Lowered the mini and now the stops are sitting on the control arm

Please no negative comments/replies about 'how lowering the vehicle' stresses the suspension etc

[roblightbody]

I would say you're at the minimum clearance already.... !

[timmy850]

Ideally you want enough clearance that under normal driving it never hits the bumpstop.

If you want to have lowered ride height, what can help is having stiffer cones so that the suspension travel is reduced.

When I first got my mini it had 50 year old cones and it’d hit the bumpstops over potholes. The suspension suddenly goes rock hard and it feels like you’re going to spear off into the trees, which wasn’t my favourite thing

[Spider]

If you are going to adjust the ride height that low, you rally need to fit competition bump stops, but even that's not ideal.

If you are contemplating raising the height, to get some clearance in there, I'd suggest the minimum would be around 1", but really, it's up to you and the roads you drive on as to how it can be set.

 

Having it on the original bump stops all the time will not just feel dreadful, but it will give unpredictable results in terms of steering.

[maccers]

I think I removed the thick washer from behind the bump stops with my slightly lowered car. It was clear anyway but gave it a bit more.

[Bobs2293]

If it’s sitting on the bump stops you will fail the MOT 

[Cooperman]

It it’s sitting on the bump stops it is technically unroadworthy. If it is lowered for race track use then that won’t matter so much as tracks are very smooth.
For road use, if it’s sitting on the bump stops then it is unsafe as well as it being pretty useless on any bumpy road.
But it’s your car to do with as you wish.

[68+86auto]

I think I removed the thick washer from behind the bump stops with my slightly lowered car. It was clear anyway but gave it a bit more.

There's a reason the bump stop is where it is. Moving it's position shouldn't be done without carefully checking that nothing else will become the bump stop. The compression of the bump stop needs to be taken into account when testing.

Edited by 68+86auto, 26 March 2025 - 12:37 AM.

[Cooperman]

May one ask what advantages you are getting by having it so low that it's on the bump stops? We all have identified the disadvantages already.