suspension help

Problem with Chendis new mini that somebody may be able to help with.
Its fitted with a GAZ coilover conversion thats fine on a smooth road BUT absolutly all over the place once theres a few bumps about. We are taking dangerous!!! I've tried slacking off the springs (its set at dead hard at present) but, all it does then is sit on the bumpstops and handles possibly worse. My immeditate thought is to junk it and go back to cones, although this will require a whole new rear sub frame as the old ones been cut down. Anybody know anybody or have any experiance of setting these up?
Car is a 2000 Cooper Works S

What poundage are the springs?
Also what setting have you got the shocks set to?
What model is this set up?
Sorry to ask so much but once I have this information I will be able to help a little more.

There are a vast rage of springs available for the coil over suspension set ups.
This will allow for fully stripped out light weight cars to be used on straight tartmac or heavy steel caged ministocks on rough ground.
Its often the carse that people are being supplied soft sprigs with very stiff damping units.
Not ideal for a normal mini on Norfolk roads.

Where did you purchase this set up from?

Bloody good questions Shaun. My guess is that the springs are too soft. In order for them to give any sort of ride height they have to be wound up to around 90% of the available travel (at which point they are basically coil bound), i did wind them down to around 65% but the car handled just as bad. I think it was just on its bump stops and the wheels rub the arches.
The rebound damping has 44 clicks. When I checked them they were all over the place but, tending towards wound all the way in. I've set them all at 30 from bottom click as a guestimate but in reality theres no travel in the shock to damping isn't my biggest concern at present i.e. if it doesn't exsist how can you dampen it.
there is absolutly no suspension movement when you try to bounce the wings other than the tyres flexing. Its presently running 175/50/13s Yocos on deep dish minilites, so I'm going to fit the standard cooper wheels on saturday which although running the same size tyres are a narrower rim and therefore give a taller profile ( If tyre flex is the only suspension I got I might as well make the most of what I have)
I've checked all the paperwork and the only thing I don't have a supplier for is..................you guessed it.............. the bloody suspension set up. SCA have recently done a indepth aliment check and I have figures for primary and secoundary angles and all appears to be in spec (2500 miles ago!!?)

On the positive side Chendi loves this car, its got a strong motor ( 90bhp hmmm) and has all its providence as a genuine Works and the origional purchase reciept for over eleven grand . It was actually serviced by Cooper Works for the majority of its life and has had £1000s spent on it. I will get this sorted, even if it does mean starting again, but would rather replace these obviously crap components with a decent coil over shock set if theres one that would be compatable with the set up already fitted. Failing that if there is somebody who can supply a set of springs that are suitable for bumpy roads that would be another option. My only concern would be buying a set only to find they were just as bad.

I'm getting an element of grief as we speak, but, I've bought her a car that it would be suicide to let her drive it scares the crap out of me!!!!

Thanks for your interest mate, I do think you're spot on with the soft spring/hard damper.

sorry I cant help you out mate. I've never had anything to do with coil over shocks.

all I know is they retail at around £500 for a complete set up!!

You could try phoning DSN for advice - Steve is good for advice. Failing that try companies like minisport, minispeed who sell the kits.

Speak to huddersfield spares.
They will be able to advise you on the springs that will work best for the application you require.
The setting is far to hard on your shocks.
For road use you should on average be looking for around 14-16 clicks of a 40 click system. a little harder for very low suspension.
The shocks will be making the ride hard over bumps and bounce but the car will still pitch too heavy on cornering due to the soft springs.
This sounds like a setup for a lightweight stripped out single ocupant car.
You will need to speak to the man incharge and founder of huddersfield.. I think his name is Simon?
The girls on the counter will not be able to help, no matter what they tell you lol
Its not going to be necessary to replace the shocks, just the springs will sort this out for you and the cost shouldnt be too bad.
Please let me know how you get on

thanks for that mate. I'll try the damper adjustment and give them a ring saturday with regards a more suitable spring.

I owe you a pint on Tuesday

meet Henry http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330200158577&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=014

we intened to spend £3500 on a finished car and he set me back £2750 in the end
Just need to sort out the ride and a few minor scabs and he's perfect should be doable in the £750 budget hopefully

Thats a real nice mini for that money!
Great find mate.
You will be needing to insure it for £5k+ whn its finished.
Are you keeping the roll cage? been looking for one of them

off topic.

But thats a bloody nice motor!!

I'd personally loose the rollcage and twin exhaust.

Good find.

And sell to me

HOT OFF THE PRESS
By playing with the damping I've managed to improve things no end. I'm running 9 clicks of rebound damping which seems to be optimum (any less and the ride seems very harsh) Its lost that "I'm going to throw you into the nearest hedge " feeling and seems to actually allow me to put my foot down in first on an uneven surface with-out breaking traction because its jumping about. As an example i drove the Dereham to North Elmham road the night before last and was clinging on for dear life at 55mph whilst I've just driven it with the new settings and looked at the speedo on one of the tighter bumpy bends and noticed it was doing 75, so much better .

All is not perfect by any means yet, It still has a shimmy on the front end (it feels like the wind is catching it would be the best way I could discribe it) but, I'm going to try the other wheels and tyres before going any further. Its presently running Yoko A539s that are getting towards the end of their life. I've got standard wheels with better condition Bridgestone Potenzas on so i'll have a play before progressing.

Huddesfield do different springs for the coil overs (Red - Soft Black - Middle Silver - Hard) I'm presently running black. I am now not totally convinced that changing to the silvers would be needed. They recommend only changing the rears and they're only £23 quid a spring but, I'll just check in out on different tyres before having to totally strip out.

As far as the cage is concerned, the truth of the matter is it may well have to come out once Chendis insuring the car herself. I'll be sure to offer with-in the club if I do dispose of it .

glad to hear your winning with the suspension.

You will notice a slight difference going to the 6x13 standard wheels. (if only they filled out the rear arches a bit more).

yoko A539's are the dogs for traction esp in the summer, but wear is the only downside. I'm running Brigestones on mine, and I dont think they've worn at all (in 3.5yrs)

Thats great news mate.
I thought the shocks were set very hard.
I have known people to go to hard springs for when they need to carry passengers etc.
A good middle rate spring should be fine for normal useage.
All the best with your car and I hope to see it at the new season shows

Ps dibs on the cage