What exactly does it do? Do I have to use it with the spring kit if I want to upgrade to a spring kit? I've been looking around for a WHILE trying to find exactly what it DOES, but all I can find is the generic "it improves the suspension and handling, blah, blah, blah..."

Someone tell me what it's used for. Raising? Lowering? stiffening? Upgrading to springs?

Or is it just simply to be able to adjust the suspension height at each corner? If so... is it really that important for a simple street car?

 

highly recommended to use with springs but they can be used with the standard rubber cones

you'll need to change the rebound buffer if you go with springs

you can raise and lower the suspension height at each corner, which is simple enough but it does impact the handling

 

What exactly does it do?RAISE AND LOWER RIDE HEIGHT

Do I have to use it with the spring kit if I want to upgrade to a spring kit? NO

Raising?YES
Lowering?YES
stiffening?NO
Upgrading to springs? NO

Or is it just simply to be able to adjust the suspension height at each corner?NO, THOUGH YOU CAN'T CORNER BALANCE YOUR CAR W/O THEM.

If so... is it really that important for a simple street car? DEPENDS ON YOUR AESTHETIC APPRECIATION THE LOOK YOU ARE AFTER.

 

Hi-Los are basically intended for two things:

Levelling the car when the stock rubber cones wear unevenly. This leads to the car leaning on one corner. With Hi-Los, you can just raise/lower the troublesome corner, truing the car back up. Much easier than replacing the rubber cones (which you'll eventually need to do, hence the springs which should never need to be replaced).

Also:

Raising or lowering the whole car - useful for days when you need more or less rise. For example: track day - you want to lower the car to handle a bit better, then raise it up again to clear road hazards and offer a bit better ride comfort.

As far as stifness goes, the spring suspension replacements come in 3 "flavors": street, somewhat stiff and "oh, god, we're turning fast!". Obvuiusly the better-handling springs are also harder on the kidneys. People report that even the mildest springs are just a bit stiffer than the stock rubber cones, so if you're just looking for a longer-lasting replacement (for about the same $) then just go with the mildest springs. IIRC, they're the blue ones (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

The full Hi-Lo/Spring lit is on my Wish List for a future date.

 

this is the best kit on the market as you do not have to drill holes in the rear valance...................




they use lock nuts...............

 

Got a link?

 

God... that rear sub-frame is SO CLEAN. I'm jealous...

 

heh, you should see my subframe and all the crap that was caked in there

 

mk1, not sure why you would need holes?

 

well If you use HI-Los then you will need to drill holes in rear valance so as to use 2' long hex allen key to ajust hight, where this kit just uses spanners from side of subframe..........

http://www.minisport.com/acatalog/info_SUSKIT5.html

 

you may want to do springs while you're at it.
http://www.gbcarparts.com/search.asp

 

I am glad you asked this question. I thought is was a complete suspension kit. How does it work on the front? does anyone have any pics? Also does it alter alignment settings to rasie/lower the car?

 

very good question.

 

MK1's photos show the Hi-Los with the OEM rubber cones in place - you can clearly see them - they're the dusty black, round things attached to the black "trumpet" looking pieces. The Hi-Low is the gold rod with the hex nut.

If you use springs instead of the rubber cones, you'd see, well, SPRINGS there instead. Look the part up on MiniMania andit should be fairly obvious. Behind the cone, you can see the yellow dampers (shocks). The photo of all the stuff in the box also shows a set of negative camber plates - this allows you to adjust the slight tilt of the wheels (the stock camber will eventually wear out your tires on the OUTER edge, so adjusting the camber will lead to better handling and tire wear but they're not essential).

Front is similar to the rear - the Mini used hard rubber cones instead of springs for the main suspension on the front and the rear. The Hi-Los simply replace the fixed-length suspension pieces that link the cones (or springs if you use them) to the car with ones that can be adjusted longer or shorter. This raises or lowers that corner when the adjustment nut is turned. To install Hi-Los and/or cones with springs you'll need a special rubber cone compression tool (for the front). This tool squashes down the cone, allowing you to remove the front suspension bits. Lots of people re-sell them after doing the job or even loan them around (ask the guy in your club with classic Minis and he probably has on in the toolbox).

 

the front is the same principle, with a shorter trumpet.
Any time to raise or lower any car it throws off the alignment so make sure the car settles before you take it in for adjustment.

The general rule is two finger gap all around.
If like to carry people on the back you can go 3 fingers.

 

I have fitted Minisport's Ajustaride kit and they fit into the RUBBER CONE wich are New and the ajuster is the 2 nuts (1) moves in and out to ahust ride hight (2) the other is a locknut to stop it loosening..............

 

Is the Adjustaride kit compatible with rubber cones AND aftermarket springs, MK1, or are they intended for use with rubber cones ONLY?

I don't think it matters which they're used with, but it's worth clarifying for the OP and for whoever else wanders in here...

 

What holds the spring to the hi-lo? My cones were stuck to my adjustarides somehow but I never bothered to take them apart and I can't even find which box they are in right now to look now. The springs don't really look like there's anything other than the precompression from the weight of the car holding them in.

I don't want to know how hard to find stuff after I move my mountain of parts to a new house.

 

Rubber cones are a snug fit on the aluminum struts. They become corroded together because of dis-similar metals (steel to aluminum) and are an absolute mother to separate sometimes. The weight of the car holds it all in place as you jack up the suspension after installation, especially the rear.

Springs would have to be manufactured to fit on aluminum struts and Hi-Los are replacements for the struts..

 

The front requires a bigger rebound bumper so the springs dont move around or fall out when you jack up the car

Normal:


Larger:

 

To remove old cones from old trumpets ??????????soak in Vinager, and when you have seperated them clean and repaint and them use Copper grease.............then you will be able to seperate them easier next time..............

 

Tips from Heloise! Great idea, must try it.

 

Great advice... Kudos MK1!

 

Reviving an old thread... When I upped my wheel size from 10's I now realize that the front left is sagging a bunch. I'm a rookie with suspension work so forgive the dumb questions...
1) is a hi lo kit the right thing to be looking at to solve this problem?
2) what else if anything should I be looking to replace (on a budget)
3) do I need the cone compression tool to install the hi lo?
4) anyone looking to sell their tool (if needed)?
5) is this something a novice can figure out? Any write ups with pics out there?

 

1) yep, that'll solve your problem. You can adjust the height as you see fit
2) the pivot ball on the end of the trumpet where it touches the suspension arm. It'll come together with a cup and rubber grease cover.
3) no
4) not necessary
5) yep, it's pretty straight forward. Simple tools and a _lot_ of patience are all you need.

Jeff