A different Coil-Over solution !

[axshack]

Hi all, well have started converting my subframe to coil-over suspension.
Day 1: chopped off the nearside hydragas sphere mounting and welded in the new top bracket (see pic)
Next job is to add steel to the sides of the upright to give it more strength.

This is prototyping and designing as we go, and now need to check clearance when the frame is offered up. I think the top of the suspension mounting will be well inside the engine bay and should not foul the wheel arch (I hope) !!

IMG_0459.JPG (892.02 KiB) Viewed 14001 times

[johnmacb]

Nicely formed top mount - I'd check how much bracing/gusseting you could do inboard of the new top mounts while trial fitting the subframe, so the new mount is able to withstand everything you could possibly throw at it!

Great work & Keep the pics coming!

[Jin]

Great job mate, where did you get the brackets from?

[Geoff Butcher]

Where's the bottom end of the coilover going to be?

[axshack]

Where's the bottom end of the coilover going to be?

it will be attached to the mounting just in picture on the top arm

picture to follow !

[axshack]

Great job mate, where did you get the brackets from?

I bought a set of Coil-overs from Huddersfield Spares Ltd (www.minispares-online.co.uk) that came complete with top and bottom brackets.
The top bracket is designed to be bolted to the Mini inner wing, but of course, wont work in the Midas

The bottom brackets have been modified to fit the Metro setup, and of course, the top bracket will take the place of the Hydragas sphere mounting completely.

d

[Hans Efde]

Exciting stuff this. Great to see this sort of development work on our fantastic little cars. Hope it works out well.

[axshack]

next saturday should see completion of mods to the frame then the acid test to see if it all fits without having to modify the body!!

[DavidL]

I've been following this with great interest. Do you see it as a cheaper alternative to the "Watsons springs" arrangement, or are there other benefits to using coilovers?

[axshack]

not sure about cheaper DavidL . Cost for the coilovers was £257 and I am paying a mechanic to do the welding stuff so I guess the whole project will cost me about £400 by the time we are finished !!