Classic Mini DIY - Coil Spring Conversion and GIVEWAWAY

[@GRAY8618]

Better off with new cones! I tried various rates of springs on mine a while ago, and spent weeks adjusting them to get them right, but no matter what I did the car just did not handle right! Too soft, car felt really wooly! After about 9-10 months bought new red spot cones and what a difference, handled like a mini is meant to again! Imo there is no replacement or upgrade better than a good set of shocks, good quality cones and good bushings!

[@velmathemini]

I was struggling with the top arm & watching this I'm back on track removing mine. Thanks for the upload.

[@DougATV]

Hey Mini Guru: I have a 1975 Mk3 RHD from New Zealand, here in California. Just powder coated and beefed up both sub-frames, put in a nasty 1380, and 5 speed. Took out the rubber cones, and went to the red springs from 7ENT with High/Lows. BUT..... once they are installed, and I try to back the nut off and lower the high/lows & springs down for the normal ride height..... the springs and trumpets flop around badly / wildly in the tower..... and if I go over a bump, the springs may not land back in place..... but land cocked off to the side in the tower. This could damage the tower, the tower centering lip, or change the ride. It seems like the tower should have a stiff foam insert, with a slippery cylinder like sleeve that will keep the spring firmly in place..... under pressure, or not. Thoughts? Thanks Doug in Sacramento

[@aussiebloke609]

I know it's not for everyone...but I really like the feel of the suspension with the rubber cones. Yeah, I'm probably a bit of a masochist, but they do give it that lovely, go-kart feel. I used to rally with the suspension raised about 1 1/2 inches (so I'd spend more time on my wheels and less on my sump) - it's a pain in the arse job playing with the suspension when everything is caked with mud and grit. Would hate to try it with coil springs, though - those small coils would really love to catch all the gravel and crap coming off the tyres.

[@b20acivic]

Good stuff man I'm from new Zealand and had a mini as a first car, now I just been able to get one back so your videos are and we'll be extremely helpful

[@scampanellas]

Nice video! I so wish you had done this video a couple months ago. I just changed out my stock trumpets (that were frozen to the very worn out post/ball joints) with Hi-Lo's. Down the road I still want to change it out the aging rubber cones to the coils so I have a more even (and predictable) rate of travel. Keep up the great vids!

[@classicminidiy]

Dang sorry I didn't get it out before that! That sounds like it was an extremely frustrating job. My hi-los were stuck to my cones a bit too and took some "friendly persuasion" so I feel your pain.

[@markwhitfield5412]

would it be quicker to remove the bottom of the shock?

[@wadeeb]

great channel. I am about to get my first mini and these videos are excellent. Nice camera work and good use of fast forwarding. Thank you for not overlaying terrible music. keep it up :)

[@classicminidiy]

Thank you! When I add music I try to add pretty chill non-annoying music.

[@MegaVogon]

Nice, i just got my first Mini 2 weeks Ago. These springs Would look nice on my MIni

[@classicminidiy]

Agreed! Good luck winning the set.

[@ngoduarte]

Hi, what is your opinion for this set or a better rubber cone? Thanks

[@bonobo8680]

Just when I hit the bed after a long day working on the mini, perfect 💪

[@classicminidiy]

👍

[@classicminidiy]

I'll get it up asap!!

[@yeco]

Looks very straightforward on a MKI, but in my MKVI I don't see where I can stick the cone compressor tool. Does it means that I need to take the subframe down?

[@classicminidiy]

Hey its just as simple on later minis. Remove giant a** single bolt for the subframe one at a time. Then cone compressor goes down in bolt hole where the subframe mounting bolt comes out. I should have mentioned this in my video sorry about that!

[@metalwright]

I have done this in the past without the spring compression tool by simply removing the top arm to begin with.. I guess if you have the tool, use it. But you sort of ended up not benefiting from the compression tool, at least on that one side.

[@classicminidiy]

Yeah I would have liked to see a bigger benefit of using it in the video but hey its a mini, its gonna be temperamental. :-)

[@lordbrendan12]

nice video! I have a question, I have heard that those coils springs are not good for road use as they could potentially become dislodged or fall out if you drive over a large hole or the wheel becomes airborne, is this true?

[@classicminidiy]

This is true if you don't use the supplied extra large bump stops that come with the kit. Check out right at 1:22 those are what keeps this from happening.

[@lordbrendan12]

oh okay very nice! thanks for the help! :) are you going to show how they are installed in the next video as that will be very interesting to see :D

[@classicminidiy]

Yup, that's the plan. I am looking forward to seeing the bright red under my car. :-)

[@lordbrendan12]

ahah they're going to look good! Paint the brakes red to match ;)

[@classicminidiy]

Maybe I will just upgrade the brakes.... >.>.....

[@adrianburghard6779]

Would love to have these new coil springs! I'm entering the giveaway as well. Are you planning on doing a road test/comparison video too? I'm quite interested how these coils behave compared to the rubber cones

[@classicminidiy]

Absolutely. I didn't take any video prior to removal but I will do a video review of the coil springs and their comparison to my set of "not quite worn out yet" cones that came off the car.

[@michaelolesen4194]

@1:00 You talk about a metal seat, why arent you fitting them?

[@classicminidiy]

The set I installed on my car included the spring specific Hi-Lo's. Those replace the metal seats you saw me holding in that video @1:00.

[@michaelolesen4194]

Ahhh, that makes sense. I just fitted a complete set yesterday and its a brand new car to drive in. :) Thanks for a great video guide!

[@classicminidiy]

Happy to help and I am happy to hear you are enjoying them. :-)

[@luizf.1692]

Coverted to coil spring with hi-los (blue color = not so hard as the red ones) . The car rides much better but i feel vibration, rattling, noise, etc. that I never have felt before. What could I do to minimize such inconveniences?

[@classicminidiy]

Hey Luiz, Sometimes this happens when the springs are not fully seated properly, or if you are using standard hi-lo's instead of the ones made for the springs. I believe there are dampers you can add to make the springs quieter which can be picked up at 7 Mini Parts. If you are in North America give them a ring and they should be able to point you in the right direction.

[@bonobo8680]

Could you please do a guide for front silentblocs upgrade if usefull ? Thanks :)

[@classicminidiy]

I'm not familiar with these. What part are you referring to?

[@darrylwilbur877]

One entry to the giveaway coils please. Are you still thinking about the Aussie wind up doors?

[@classicminidiy]

Good luck! I'm always thinking about them. Honestly though I don't have the cash to get them and get it painted up right now. I might revisit later in the year.

[@darrylwilbur877]

I'll still keep an eye out for used doors. I picked up a drivers door recently but has allot of rot in the bottom. I have 2 minis so I pick up spares and what not when I see something for sale on eBay or gumtree

[@aussiebloke609]

Well worth the effort and expense, I reckon. And those front 1/4 vent windows in the Aussie doors are invaluable in a warm country - you'll roast otherwise.

[@classicminidiy]

Thanks so much I will be in touch later in the year if I go down that route. :-D

[@DavidKemp]

At what stage did you take the cone compressor off?

[@classicminidiy]

Sorry looking at the video that wasnt clear. It went like this: - Compress cone - Break upper hub ball joint - Take Knuckle Joint out - Remove compressor - Remove hi-lo Hope that helps.

[@LoganRobinson-l4e]

Do you still rate the coil spring conversion? I see there is a lot of hate out there but I’m assuming that’s from purist. I bought a coil conversion after watching this video then I read the comment online about them hope I haven’t made a mistake

[@classicminidiy]

Hey! I do still have it, and has been going strong for the last 6 years and I have seriously abused it. In my opinion, many of the horror stories/hate online are down to poor or improper installs. These springs cannot be run insanely low, and they need the enlarged bump droop stops that go under the top arms up front. As long as your subframe isn't already damaged, and they are installed properly there really is no reason they won't last many more years to come.

[@joeyhiscott5638]

Love your videos! I'm looking to fully restore my mini. With the coilovers, I see you can buy them with, or without Hi los, are the hi los just so you can adjust the ride height? And without its just at one height? Thanks hope you can answer my question! p.s Let me win the prize draw please! :)

[@classicminidiy]

No favorites in the competition :-) They are actually just coil springs not coilovers. Coilovers are when the coil and shock are combined. The hi-los are exactly for that, changing the ride height. Without them the car just sits at the fixed stock ride height.

[@joeyhiscott5638]

Thank you for your wisdom! Also, if you take your mini doors off anytime in the near future please could you do a quick video on how to remove/instal them, no one else has! Thanks again :)

[@classicminidiy]

Happy to help! Also, sure I will put it on my list.

[@richietrivella418]

I am a little late to the party so assume you wont see this comment but if you do.... will i need to take more bonnet off to get the cone compressor in? i dont have those nice hinges like you. just stock :(

[@classicminidiy]

I think you will. It’s been a bit since I did it with a normal hinging hood. But taking it off isn’t super hard just 4 nuts. Use a sharpie to mark the existing location so mounting it back won’t be hard. Also lay something down on the body of the car to prevent scratches under the corners(a towel or something) 👍🏼

[@Alandixon88]

Why is your bonnet release installed in your wheel arch?!

[@classicminidiy]

These mk1's had an external hood release that I couldn't find a replacement for at the time. So I picked up one of the new versions that normally have a handle inside the passenger compartment, and wired it up to the wheel well. Out of sight so it isn't breaking original look but still functional. :-D

[@Alandixon88]

Classic Mini DIY never seen anyone install one down there before

[@kristapsveseris9695]

Nice video! But how to remove old stuleyle trumpets, not these, which is in your video. Old ones is without adjustable bolts!

[@classicminidiy]

It's actually the exact same steps. The only different is you must do your cone compression and if you can't get the knuckle joint out, you will need to drop the top arm before taking that joint out. Then you will have the room to complete the rest of the removal.

[@kristapsveseris9695]

Thanks, but what about rear?

[@brucestevens5318]

Notice you didn't show HOW you actually got the rubber cone out!!

[@classicminidiy]

Yeah I wish I had filmed it when I did this but funny enough the cones were so old they didn’t need a compressor to get them out. They just came right out.

[@OxfordDrivewayRestoration]

Yes please I would like this set of springs for my classic mini. ;)

[@graysonhamza5235]

Pro tip: you can watch series at Flixzone. Been using it for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.

[@damienmack7277]

@Grayson Hamza yea, I've been using flixzone} for months myself :)

[@jasonblann33]

i had a set of red ones,with gaz dampener on 13 inch wheels. i keeped blow the dampers. not alot beater on 12 inch wheel then i tried normal dampers, a little better then i gave mini tastic soft ride springs ago. there aid said it will make it ride like a France car with the 13s on.what a loud of sh""e that was. so in the end i went back to rubber springs standard shocks,then with a set of 10 inch wheels i have not looked back. its not that there is enough thing wrong with springs its just no one makes them right.it would cost to much to do the R&D

[@chrismacleod3947]

I have a ball joint splitter ...... It is called a Fuckin hammer one smack job done I highly recommend it

[@classicminidiy]

+chris macleod haha too much risk of damaging the ball joints for my taste but if it works for you!

[@jasonblann33]

you could not pay me to have these on my mini.in my experience they make the ride so bad it makes the fuel shut off value go off e ery time you hit a bump

[@classicminidiy]

I think it really depends on the stiffness you have on the car. The red ones are made specifically for road use and I haven't had any weird bouncing issues that have impacted mine. That said, I don't have a fuel shut off on mine since its a mk1. Was your set a set of red coil springs for road use or something more rigid?

[@fitz1tj]

I subscribed to your channel, does that enter me into the contest?

[@classicminidiy]

You gotta head to the sign up form one of the ways to get entries is by subscribing. gleam.io/FTXrl/classic-mini-diy-and-seven-mini-parts-giveaway

[@markpiper8082]

your better off compressing the cone befor you jack it up as the weight of the car compresses most of the cone already

[@classicminidiy]

Damn this is an awesome tip. I didn't even think about that but it would be so helpful. Then you aren't fighting the rebound.

[@FizulNizam]

I want to enter the giveaway because I really need them new springs 😭

[@classicminidiy]

Do it!! Good luck. :-)

[@jomaoliveira7949]

For 90 % of people coil springs is really a downgrade on suspension rather than upgrade. The 10% left will benefit with a more durable and effective spring on track or good tarmac.

[@classicminidiy]

I would love to hear more about why you say this . Why is it a downgrade?

[@jomaoliveira7949]

Classic Mini DIY You already mention the reason on your videos. The reason is progressiveness; On hi compression situations due to bad road, speed bumps and such, rubber will progressively harden more than coil springs. Notice a very important thing: you must not compare old cones with new ones as the performance on cones with more than 10 years old degrades substancially. So the solution is assuming rubber cones as a time serviceable item in you car.

[@jomaoliveira7949]

Classic Mini DIY If you plan to use your car only on track or good tarmac coil suspension is a valid alternative (alternative because dont fade and is kind of softier).

[@nrhobson]

oh if only, damn you america only

[@classicminidiy]

The springs can be won by anyone worldwide. The gift certificates are NA only. :-)

[@nrhobson]

Heh, yes I saw. I do like a good Gift certificate though.