MINI2

neilgj · Jan 1st, 2006, 09:17 PM

And it was a bear! I didn't have any hydraulic spring compressors - I just had those clamp-on compressors that you twist a bolt to compress the spring. I needed 3 of them to get the spring compressed enough. Everything about it was awful.

It took me about 12 hours (!) - granted I am a novice - over 2 days to do the front and back (this included the changing the end links and doing a brake bleed [just because]). I used the instructions that came with the springs, the how-to's posted on NAM and at http://www.webbmotorsports.com . They were all very helpful. I would however recommend having a hydraulic spring compressor that could have easily saved me 8 hours!

And just so you know - the front springs were hard to get out but once out (and following some the hints posted on http://www.webbmotorsports.com) the spring change was easy and recompression was straight forward (but time consuming) which made reinsertion easier. The rear springs were easy to get out but compression was difficult especially with the new springs since the spacing between the coils was minimal and I could not fit the clamp grips in between them and ended up having to grip the lip of the shock absorber. But that wasn't really enough compression and I needed to lean on the top plate and compress it all a wee bit more to get the nut screwed back on. Also very time consuming and frustrating.

As I said, I also changed out the end-links (front and back) and was going to do the rear camber arms but saw that getting at the inboard bolt was going to be too much of a project. Maybe when I change my exhaust I will take care of that - or - dare I say it - I'll just pay someone to do it.

Anyway, I drove it around. It's definitely riding lower and handling a little tighter. However, I am hearing some creaking from the rear. It sounds like the springs. I already adjusted and tightened the end-links so it shouldn't be them. I also regreased the sway bar (the fat HSport one) so it shouldn't be that either. I am wondering if this will go away as the springs settle in or if there is something I should look at or do? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Berthil · Jan 1st, 2006, 11:53 PM

Do you have a Cooper with sport suspension. A friend also has a Cooper and had his springs changed to Eibachs. AFter that he had the same noise you are describing. Now he has changed his shockabsorbers to Bilsteins and the noise is over. The noise was caused by the OEM shocks being used in an aera they were not designed. I hope this is not the case with you.

neilgj · Jan 2nd, 2006, 06:14 AM

Oh oh. I'm thinking that might apply to me, too. I have an MCSC which I understand has the same suspension as the MC with the sport package. Blasted. That's $700 more than I was planning on spending...

pocketrocketowner · Jan 2nd, 2006, 10:31 AM

Look into KONIS.....they tend to be cheaper......

neilgj · Jan 2nd, 2006, 03:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by pocketrocketowner

Look into KONIS.....they tend to be cheaper......

Cheaper, yes by about $100, but don't the rear shocks require some drilling to fit in the mounting hardware? That's a just little more aggravation I think.

Cooper54 · Jan 2nd, 2006, 04:32 PM

Got any pics ??

neilgj · Jan 2nd, 2006, 09:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper54

Got any pics ??

I'll take some if the rain ever stops here

But I must say that the car looks looks pretty cool riding a tad lower and the blue of the springs peeking out from behind the wheel is rather sweet looking, too.

neilgj · Jan 2nd, 2006, 11:31 PM

Answering myself, I think. I had a look at the rear springs and they appear nearly fully compressed at the top when the car is standing still. I suspect that is not the expected behaviour and may be due to the shocks not being "right" for the new lower profile springs. It makes sense to me that that the sounds I hear are the springs' coils rubbing or bouncing off one another. Does that make sense to you - anybody?

Cooper54 · Jan 3rd, 2006, 12:07 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by neilgj

Answering myself, I think. I had a look at the rear springs and they appear nearly fully compressed at the top when the car is standing still. I suspect that is not the expected behaviour and may be due to the shocks not being "right" for the new lower profile springs. It makes sense to me that that the sounds I hear are the springs' coils rubbing or bouncing off one another. Does that make sense to you - anybody?

You may find that the ride insnt very nice due to a stiff spring with soft shocks, although if you have got sports suspension it should be ok. If you had got Eibach springs then you would have any problems because they lower the car yet retain the same stiffness as the original springs. Personally I dont think you need to lower your mini other then for looks. I have been on runs whereby minis with £1000 coilover suspension still havent been able to keep up with me on the bends and I have standard sports suspension plus. People with coilovers may have an outrage here but personally i think the guy just couldnt drive.

Novel over....

neilgj · Jan 3rd, 2006, 03:27 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper54

Got any pics ??

Here's a close-up of the springs showing the compression at the top (left side of the photo)

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...=18022&cat=500

[If you want to see the car, that will have to wait for clearer weather.]

Does this photo look like there's a problem? If so, does anyone know the solution?

Berthil · Jan 3rd, 2006, 11:51 AM

The Sports Plus suspension of a MCS has different shocks (and springs) then the Sports Suspension on a Cooper. Like I said, Maaij had the same problem with his Cooper with Sports suspension and Eibachs. He had to fit suitable Bilstein shocks to solve the noise. I have no problems with my MCS with Sports+ and Eibach springs.

neilgj · Jan 3rd, 2006, 04:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Berthil

The Sports Plus suspension of a MCS has different shocks (and springs) then the Sports Suspension on a Cooper. Like I said, Maaij had the same problem with his Cooper with Sports suspension and Eibachs. He had to fit suitable Bilstein shocks to solve the noise. I have no problems with my MCS with Sports+ and Eibach springs.

Fair enough. Thanks for the advice!
Are the Eibachs progressive springs like the H Sport?

Berthil · Jan 3rd, 2006, 04:23 PM

Eibach Pro-Kit springs are also progressive springs

neilgj · Jan 26th, 2006, 03:52 AM

Just to let you know - I installed Koni Yellows (one rotation firmer) and the rear suspension rattles appear to be gone.

Lesson:

H Sport Springs + stock shocks + MCSC = rattle
H Sport Springs + Koni shocks + MCSC = no rattle

djbohne · Feb 1st, 2006, 10:28 PM

I heard also the MSC and the MSCc have different suspension .. I know several people who put the H-Sport on a MCS and have had no issues.. I'm getting my H-Sport Springs installed next friday.. I can't wait!

neilgj · Feb 3rd, 2006, 03:43 PM

I have never heard of any issue like I saw on the Cabrio on the hardtop. You should be fine.

Jan 1st, 2006, 09:17 PM	#1
neilgj MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 12:01 PM Posts: 58 Offline	H Sport Springs Installed!! And it was a bear! I didn't have any hydraulic spring compressors - I just had those clamp-on compressors that you twist a bolt to compress the spring. I needed 3 of them to get the spring compressed enough. Everything about it was awful. It took me about 12 hours (!) - granted I am a novice - over 2 days to do the front and back (this included the changing the end links and doing a brake bleed [just because]). I used the instructions that came with the springs, the how-to's posted on NAM and at http://www.webbmotorsports.com . They were all very helpful. I would however recommend having a hydraulic spring compressor that could have easily saved me 8 hours! And just so you know - the front springs were hard to get out but once out (and following some the hints posted on http://www.webbmotorsports.com) the spring change was easy and recompression was straight forward (but time consuming) which made reinsertion easier. The rear springs were easy to get out but compression was difficult especially with the new springs since the spacing between the coils was minimal and I could not fit the clamp grips in between them and ended up having to grip the lip of the shock absorber. But that wasn't really enough compression and I needed to lean on the top plate and compress it all a wee bit more to get the nut screwed back on. Also very time consuming and frustrating. As I said, I also changed out the end-links (front and back) and was going to do the rear camber arms but saw that getting at the inboard bolt was going to be too much of a project. Maybe when I change my exhaust I will take care of that - or - dare I say it - I'll just pay someone to do it. Anyway, I drove it around. It's definitely riding lower and handling a little tighter. However, I am hearing some creaking from the rear. It sounds like the springs. I already adjusted and tightened the end-links so it shouldn't be them. I also regreased the sway bar (the fat HSport one) so it shouldn't be that either. I am wondering if this will go away as the springs settle in or if there is something I should look at or do? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Jan 1st, 2006, 11:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Berthil MINI2 Senior Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sittard (NL) Local Time: 10:01 PM Posts: 739 Offline	Do you have a Cooper with sport suspension. A friend also has a Cooper and had his springs changed to Eibachs. AFter that he had the same noise you are describing. Now he has changed his shockabsorbers to Bilsteins and the noise is over. The noise was caused by the OEM shocks being used in an aera they were not designed. I hope this is not the case with you. EB/W R53 MCS Highly Modified

Jan 3rd, 2006, 11:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
Berthil MINI2 Senior Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sittard (NL) Local Time: 10:01 PM Posts: 739 Offline	The Sports Plus suspension of a MCS has different shocks (and springs) then the Sports Suspension on a Cooper. Like I said, Maaij had the same problem with his Cooper with Sports suspension and Eibachs. He had to fit suitable Bilstein shocks to solve the noise. I have no problems with my MCS with Sports+ and Eibach springs. EB/W R53 MCS Highly Modified

Jan 3rd, 2006, 04:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
Berthil MINI2 Senior Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sittard (NL) Local Time: 10:01 PM Posts: 739 Offline	Eibach Pro-Kit springs are also progressive springs EB/W R53 MCS Highly Modified

Jan 26th, 2006, 03:52 AM	#14 (permalink)
neilgj MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 12:01 PM Posts: 58 Offline	Update Just to let you know - I installed Koni Yellows (one rotation firmer) and the rear suspension rattles appear to be gone. Lesson: H Sport Springs + stock shocks + MCSC = rattle H Sport Springs + Koni shocks + MCSC = no rattle

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Jan 2nd, 2006, 06:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
neilgj MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 12:01 PM Posts: 58 Offline	Oh oh. I'm thinking that might apply to me, too. I have an MCSC which I understand has the same suspension as the MC with the sport package. Blasted. That's $700 more than I was planning on spending...

Jan 2nd, 2006, 10:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
pocketrocketowner Best Personal Regards Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ile de Vaux, France Local Time: 09:01 PM Posts: 2,037 Offline	Look into KONIS.....they tend to be cheaper......

Jan 2nd, 2006, 03:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
neilgj MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 12:01 PM Posts: 58 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by pocketrocketowner Look into KONIS.....they tend to be cheaper...... Cheaper, yes by about $100, but don't the rear shocks require some drilling to fit in the mounting hardware? That's a just little more aggravation I think.

Jan 2nd, 2006, 04:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cooper54 Lightweight Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Essex Local Time: 09:01 PM Posts: 420 Offline	Got any pics ??

Jan 2nd, 2006, 09:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
neilgj MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 12:01 PM Posts: 58 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper54 Got any pics ?? I'll take some if the rain ever stops here But I must say that the car looks looks pretty cool riding a tad lower and the blue of the springs peeking out from behind the wheel is rather sweet looking, too.

Jan 2nd, 2006, 11:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
neilgj MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 12:01 PM Posts: 58 Offline	Answering myself, I think. I had a look at the rear springs and they appear nearly fully compressed at the top when the car is standing still. I suspect that is not the expected behaviour and may be due to the shocks not being "right" for the new lower profile springs. It makes sense to me that that the sounds I hear are the springs' coils rubbing or bouncing off one another. Does that make sense to you - anybody?

Jan 3rd, 2006, 12:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
Cooper54 Lightweight Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Essex Local Time: 09:01 PM Posts: 420 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by neilgj Answering myself, I think. I had a look at the rear springs and they appear nearly fully compressed at the top when the car is standing still. I suspect that is not the expected behaviour and may be due to the shocks not being "right" for the new lower profile springs. It makes sense to me that that the sounds I hear are the springs' coils rubbing or bouncing off one another. Does that make sense to you - anybody? You may find that the ride insnt very nice due to a stiff spring with soft shocks, although if you have got sports suspension it should be ok. If you had got Eibach springs then you would have any problems because they lower the car yet retain the same stiffness as the original springs. Personally I dont think you need to lower your mini other then for looks. I have been on runs whereby minis with £1000 coilover suspension still havent been able to keep up with me on the bends and I have standard sports suspension plus. People with coilovers may have an outrage here but personally i think the guy just couldnt drive. Novel over....

Jan 3rd, 2006, 03:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
neilgj MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 12:01 PM Posts: 58 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper54 Got any pics ?? Here's a close-up of the springs showing the compression at the top (left side of the photo) http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...=18022&cat=500 [If you want to see the car, that will have to wait for clearer weather.] Does this photo look like there's a problem? If so, does anyone know the solution?

Jan 3rd, 2006, 04:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
neilgj MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 12:01 PM Posts: 58 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Berthil The Sports Plus suspension of a MCS has different shocks (and springs) then the Sports Suspension on a Cooper. Like I said, Maaij had the same problem with his Cooper with Sports suspension and Eibachs. He had to fit suitable Bilstein shocks to solve the noise. I have no problems with my MCS with Sports+ and Eibach springs. Fair enough. Thanks for the advice! Are the Eibachs progressive springs like the H Sport?

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Feb 1st, 2006, 10:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
djbohne why am I not motoring now Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Local Time: 04:01 PM Posts: 63 Offline	I heard also the MSC and the MSCc have different suspension .. I know several people who put the H-Sport on a MCS and have had no issues.. I'm getting my H-Sport Springs installed next friday.. I can't wait!

Feb 3rd, 2006, 03:43 PM	#16 (permalink)
neilgj MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 12:01 PM Posts: 58 Offline	I have never heard of any issue like I saw on the Cabrio on the hardtop. You should be fine.

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