Help with adjusting ride height with Hi -Los
Discussion
The MOT picked up that all the braking was on 1 diagonal, and i found that, although the car was level (side to side) the threads on the hilos were both much further out (extended) on the heavy diagonal.
So ive made sure that the threads of each pair, front and back, are the same, so that should make the trumpets the same length? But the car isnt quite level. I did wonder that because the weight has been on one diagonal thats its compressed those rubber cones more.
Would you normally expect the trumpets to be up to 5 mm differnt in length ?
Can anyone give me some advice on making adjustments with the hilos? Is it best to take the shocks off? When you increase the height of one corner exactly what effect does it have on the others?
Ideally i need to get the corner weights properly set up but thats expensive, maybe i should try and hire the kit.
So ive made sure that the threads of each pair, front and back, are the same, so that should make the trumpets the same length? But the car isnt quite level. I did wonder that because the weight has been on one diagonal thats its compressed those rubber cones more.
Would you normally expect the trumpets to be up to 5 mm differnt in length ?
Can anyone give me some advice on making adjustments with the hilos? Is it best to take the shocks off? When you increase the height of one corner exactly what effect does it have on the others?
Ideally i need to get the corner weights properly set up but thats expensive, maybe i should try and hire the kit.
I set mine up to they looked level and low! Simple as that. You could get corner weights but i never bothered, a mate does have them and i used them to weigh the car but thats it.
Hi-lows set to low and looking level, lowered dampers, solis mounted front subby and lowered dampers with 6x13s and it was no problems for me both mot and handling
Hi-lows set to low and looking level, lowered dampers, solis mounted front subby and lowered dampers with 6x13s and it was no problems for me both mot and handling
It doesn't matter whether the dampers ore on the car or not when you do the height adjustment.
Each adjustment will have the effect of altering the diagonally opposite corner a little.
It's a bit of trial-and-error really.
What you can do is to jack up the back so that the rear is a set height from ground to the underside of the sub-frame. Then adjust the fronts, which are still on the ground (level ground!) until the front is level. You cna check this by measuring from ground to the wheel-arch lip. It doesn't matter about the actual height, it just has to be level and an equal height both sides.
Then lower the back and set the back so that the height is equal at the back and at the front. Make any adjustments at this stage on the back as you've already done the front.
Now all is equal, you can adjust to the ride height you want by turning the adjustments an equal amount, first at the front both sides, then at the rear both sides.
I hope this makes sense and helps.
By the way, the best height for a Mini is standard at the front and 1/2" lower at the back.
Then you need to get it tracked front and rear. the rear should toe in between 1/16" and 1/8". Track the front at zero toe-in if the suspension rubbers are all in good condition.
Each adjustment will have the effect of altering the diagonally opposite corner a little.
It's a bit of trial-and-error really.
What you can do is to jack up the back so that the rear is a set height from ground to the underside of the sub-frame. Then adjust the fronts, which are still on the ground (level ground!) until the front is level. You cna check this by measuring from ground to the wheel-arch lip. It doesn't matter about the actual height, it just has to be level and an equal height both sides.
Then lower the back and set the back so that the height is equal at the back and at the front. Make any adjustments at this stage on the back as you've already done the front.
Now all is equal, you can adjust to the ride height you want by turning the adjustments an equal amount, first at the front both sides, then at the rear both sides.
I hope this makes sense and helps.
By the way, the best height for a Mini is standard at the front and 1/2" lower at the back.
Then you need to get it tracked front and rear. the rear should toe in between 1/16" and 1/8". Track the front at zero toe-in if the suspension rubbers are all in good condition.
Gassing Station | Classic Minis | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff