40 replies to this topic

[DTXDave]

I've done a search of the forum but I haven't found an answer to my problem so here goes..

I'm trying to fit Moulton cones and Adjusta rides from Mini Sport to the front of my car (already done the back). However, using the Mini Sport compression tool, I still can't get the Adjusta ride trumpet and knuckle joint into the compressed cone and upper suspension arm.

Do I need to wind the compression tool as far as I can physically turn it with spanners? It is already pretty tight. Will it strip its threads if the nut is wound down even more?

Or do I need to remove the suspension arm again and fit it last once the cone and trumpet are in place?

Thanks for any help.

DTXDave

[mk1leg]

am i right, you have taken out old rubber cones and replaceing it with tiny coil springs, than i think you need to use a bar to help you tighten spring up fully first, than make sure trumpet is located properly onto spring than pop it into top arm locating hole............hope this helps...............

[DTXDave]

am i right, you have taken out old rubber cones and replaceing it with tiny coil springs, than i think you need to use a bar to help you tighten spring up fully first, than make sure trumpet is located properly onto spring than pop it into top arm locating hole............hope this helps...............

I have taken out the old rubber cones, which were collapsed, so they are not as tall as the new Moulton's that I am putting in.

Not sure what you mean by coil springs. I am replacing the old rubber cones which were Dunlop Moulton's, with Moulton's from Mini Sport. I am replacing the old fixed height trumpets and knucke joints with Adjustarides, also from Mini Sport. Then I'll be fitting KYB Gas-a-just dampers, but I haven't got that far yet as I can't get the Adjustarides and knuckle joint into the gap between the wound up (compressed) cone and the upper suspension arm (with rebound rubber removed).


DTXDave

[Jordie]

Are the hi-lo part set too high? screw it in if you can. Once its in position, you can change the ride height

[DTXDave]

Are the hi-lo part set too high? screw it in if you can. Once its in position, you can change the ride height

The two nuts are screwed all the way into the housing. The trumpet is as short as I can make it.

DTXDave

[taffy1967]

The anorak recently fitted the Moulton Smootha-Ride Suspension kit to one of his Minis, so it'd be worth asking him.

But I've got a feeling that the top suspension arm needs to be removed, unless you can compress the new Smootha-Ride rubber spring sufficiently?

Edited by taffy1967, 01 December 2007 - 05:59 PM.

[DTXDave]

The anorak recently fitted the Moulton Smootha-Ride Suspension kit to one of his Minis, so it'd be worth asking him.

But I've got a feeling that the top suspension arm needs to be removed, unless you can compress the new Smootha-Ride rubber spring sufficiently?

I'm starting to think that that's the way forward. I was hoping I didn't have to remove the suspension arm again as it's a pain to get in and out, but if I must.

The cone compression tool came with no instructions but am I'm right in thinking that removing the old cone and trumpet required the sleeve to be over the bar one way, and the other way around when compressing the new cone? The new cone's thread is further away so the outer sleeve must go through the body to the subframe in order for there to be enough thread to compress the new cone.

DTDave

[taffy1967]

Check out the anoraks thread on the subject: -

Fitting Smootharide Cones link

[taffy1967]

Yes it looks like top suspension arm off to get the cones in after all and the compressor should be used as shown in the anoraks photo's. Make sure you put plenty of grease on the spring compressors threads first.

Edited by taffy1967, 01 December 2007 - 06:25 PM.

[DTXDave]

Yes it looks like top suspension arm off to get the cones in after all and the compressor should be used as shown in the anoraks photo's. Make sure you put plenty of grease on the spring compressors threads first.

Ok thanks, I'll remove the suspension arm again.

DTXDave

[taffy1967]

Sorry mate, but I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end.

[THE ANORAK]

yes, as taffy said, you need to remove the top arm again.

the compression tool should be used in exactly the same way when removing old cones and fitting new ones.

1. remove the top arm

2. put the new cone in and compress it as far as you dare.

3. wind adjusta ride down as small as it will go

4. push adjusta into place in the cone and the re-fit top arm. you will need to compress the cone a bit at a time until it all goes together. but at least with the top arm off, you can place the knuckle end of the adjusta in its locating hole and you will have far less to compress.

5. once its all in place, slowly release the compression tool.


i managed to do it on my own, but then I've done it before. i would recommend getting some one to help you compress the cone on step four other wise you need to do a good impression of an octopus

Edited by THE ANORAK, 01 December 2007 - 06:47 PM.

[DTXDave]

Thanks.

I think we used the compression tool outer sleeve the wrong way around the first time, but it worked because the old cone was pretty far gone and not as tall so we could get the big nut onto the thread. It didn't work the second time around because the new cone was taller so I realised that I had to fit the sleeve of the Mini Sport compression tool through the hole left after removing the plug/bolt in the body near the washerbottle.

Maybe Mini Sport need a piece of paper with instructions for amateurs like me

So tomorrow I'll give it another go, this time removing the arm as suggested.


DTDave

[THE ANORAK]

eh ? what ??

that dont sound right

the sleeve should not have to go through the hole !!!!

take a look at the pic below, this is how the tool goes together and this is how it should be used at all times. the large foot sits over the hole in the bulkhead.
the threaded bit should be more than long enough.

do it wrong and you could hurt yourself !!!

it's worth cleaning away any of the rubber that's around the threaded hole in the cone, i also ran a tap down the tread to make sure it was all clean

[THE ANORAK]

right, hopefully this will help. it's a copy of the instructions i got with my tool....

although i think the arrow in step 7 should be going the other way (anticlockwise) to decompress the cone

Edited by THE ANORAK, 02 December 2007 - 12:19 AM.