How to Install Classic Mini Shocks/Dampers

[@vinnyirish]

Having done the rears recently this video was of great help! Although I would suggest insetad of clamping rear shock from the top to get a wide grip pliers and hold the body of the shock.. makes it a lot easier!

[@k.e.v]

Whoa! My new shocks are being delivered this week. I happened to search for this video and saw that it was posted yesterday - great timing! Thanks for all of these videos, they're a HUGE help!

[@classicminidiy]

I totally planned that! :-) Well maybe not but I am glad I could help you out.

[@k.e.v]

I appreciate your consideration! ;) Any tips for removing the rubber cones? Looks pretty straightforward in the rear, but unfortunately all of the videos for the front aren't so great.

[@classicminidiy]

The front is pretty challenging. I want to do a video on it soon but you definitely need a cone compressor if you want to remove them. If you are just doing shocks it's not necessary to remove the cones.

[@k.e.v]

I'm doing both! Fortunately I've got a cone compressor, but I don't really know how it works. I get the basics of it threading in, but hopefully it'll work itself out pretty quickly. What do you think - Saturday morning project, or whole day project?

[@classicminidiy]

In my opinion if you have never done it I would plan for the day. It's a pretty straightforward job now that I am really thinking about it. There is a small hole in the top of the trumpets where you can access from the engine bay. Thats where the compressor get's threaded in. Once you compress the cone, the car is jacked up, and the wheel is off you should be able to pull out the trumpet. Then you unscrew the cone and it should "fall" out. You may need to remove the bottom bump stops under the top arm held on by either 1 or two screws depending on how much compression you can get out of the cone.

[@davidpippin3460]

Hmm, Raspberry PI on the screen behind you. Very nice, I had one I played with for a while. I had some GAZ adjustable dampers I got when I changed to the MiniTastic fast road springs. Springs were great but the dampers were horrible. I ended up going to the gas-a-just KYB dampers which combined with the springs gave it a fantastic ride. Still the go-kart feel and little body sway but it soaks up bumps so much better. Plus I am old and fat so a smoother ride is better :)

[@jhandy59]

Best Boot stickers EVER on that Mini!

[@classicminidiy]

Some rando volvo dude keeps tagging all our minis.....wonder who that is?

[@minibell1988]

Thanks a lot for putting this on. It's really helpful.

[@classicminidiy]

You're very welcome!

[@virtualautomotive2272]

You should do a video on all the safe jacking points on a classic mini and areas for jack stands, loving the videos keep it up

[@classicminidiy]

Thats a great idea. Thanks for the feedback. I will put one together in a few weeks. :-)

[@virtualautomotive2272]

+Classic Mini DIY thanks much appreciated

[@mad-maxx2211]

Thanks. I’m in the middle of this 😅👍👍👍

[@thinkinglink]

love your videos. can you make one on removing front cones starting with how to use the cone compressor? it will be good for people that want to install hi-los. thanks

[@classicminidiy]

I do have plans to do that very soon. Thanks for suggesting!

[@michaelolesen4194]

+1 Really need a video of that.. cant find one on KZbin.!

[@TheThunderwars]

We are waiting for this :)

[@b1ntaro]

These videos are to the point and well made.

[@classicminidiy]

Thanks for the feedback and kind words!

[@b1ntaro]

I hope one day see a video on changing the gaskets to stop or reduce oil leaks which are so common on these little cars. :)

[@classicminidiy]

I tried to get as many videos made while rebuilding the motor last. Sadly most gasket changes are more internal to the motor. I will keep that in mind and try to get some videos of gasket replacement process.

[@seanlazaroo2774]

4:31. The colour is nice. What brand of the paint and what colour is this.

[@avivscrewvalla]

Great series of DIY Videos. Keep em coming!

[@classicminidiy]

Glad you're enjoying them. I have lots more to come!

[@isaacburlo9547]

Great video. So the lowered shock actually lowered the height by restricting the maximum open travel distance?

[@classicminidiy]

Thank you! No the lowered shocks won’t actually reduce the ride height at all. The maximum open travel distance is only seen when the wheels are on full droop(off the ground for example).

[@isaacburlo9547]

​@@classicminidiy Thanks for the quick reply!

[@lindsaygelle9993]

Thank you for uploading this video! I recently did this job. Man, getting the fuel tank out and in again was hard work. Now that I'm done I just want to check a few things - hopefully you can help! I bought the same Gaz shock absorbers and I noticed that they are a bit wider than the stock shocks that came with the car. Does that matter? I had to squeeze them over so they would go into the hole in the rear wheel arches. Next, when I was screwing the top nut over to finish the job, I had a tough time screwing it down because of washer and the rubber. I've got the nut on most of the way (say, 90%) on but not enough so the thread goes all the way through the nut. What would be your suggestion here? Is it alright or do I need to fix something. Hopefully you can help, really appreciate the videos.

[@classicminidiy]

Hey sorry for the delay in response I didn't see this notification for some reason. The GAZ ones are a tad wider but that's no problem as long as they can still smoothly actuate under wheel pressure. I would definitely revisit that nut. The top of the threaded end has two flat ends on it and you need to hold it with a wrench (likely adjustable) and use a second wrench to tighten the nut down. Otherwise, the shock will just spin in its seat. If you can't see that thread it's very likely not tight enough.

[@lindsaygelle9993]

Thanks so much Cole for getting back to me! I ended up tightening it down on the right side (UK drivers). Need to check over the one behind the fuel tank now. That is such a bugger to do. Got any tips for sliding the fuel tank in and out without breaking the back? Love the videos. Has built up my confidence working on the car - something I've really wanted to do for a long time.

[@steveng.4049]

Perfect video!

[@classicminidiy]

Thank you!

[@gonzaloaranguiz9783]

Hello, great videos. I bought the SUSPENSION PACKAGE HILO + KYB SELF ADJUST GAS DAMPERS on Minispares (MSSK3004) and I can't set rear wheel height to 3 fingers/45mm (from top tyre to inner arch) because the rear suspension makes an horrible knocking (steel hit) when the rear part of the car jumps because of the streets. Looks like the rubber cone (and the HI-LO) moves from the correct position. My only chance is to install lowered shocks???

[@jellert]

Great videos, please continu!

[@classicminidiy]

Thank you!

[@jamesfoster4577]

Hi Cole, What is the torque setting for the front top and bottom nuts to secure the new shock in? Thank you

[@jeromev3578]

Should I be aware of a torque setting for tightening the top bolt of rear dampener? I don't want to stress the bushings. Also I installed basic KYB oil filled and the rear end looks awfully tall compared to front (5 fingers to 2 fingers up front), since these aren't adjustable what would you recommend? Thanks for all the useful videos!

[@rayulmer4310]

Have a ‘67 MK 1 w a spring. Want to go to shock. Idea?

[@adamsmith-zq9fz]

That was perfect thank you

[@classicminidiy]

:-)

[@tfwomble]

Can you show or describe where exactly are your jack placement points and stand placement points. I still use the square hole in the sills with an original screw jack to do work on the front. Thanks

[@Darth_Chicken]

Jack under the subframe near any of the four wheels as desired. Don't use the sill hole to jack the whole side of the car as the whole sill can bend due to the age of the cars.

[@WilliamJSisti]

I always found it way easier to loosen the lug nuts before jacking the car up

[@classicminidiy]

Yeah I agree, I always forget until the car is already up. :-)

[@WilliamJSisti]

+Classic Mini DIY I do the same thing. Haha

[@romeumatos7864]

Nice job :)

[@alejandrodebasilio1606]

I have 12” wheels on my mini and when I have 4 people inside, the tires hit the wheel arches on sharp turns and bumps. Otherwise, the suspension feels pretty stiff. It’s an old suspension so I want to replace the shock absorbers anyway. I don’t want a really high ride but I’m concerned that the lowered ones will have the same issue as my current old shock absorbers. How low is the clearance on the lowered ones? What would you recommend? Thank you!

[@jcmix2612]

great job bro.. i like your videos.. easy tips and tricks was helpfull.. Nice!are you planning to install power steering and supercharger your mini?? keep Crack'n..

[@classicminidiy]

Thanks! Pish power steering!? This car doesn't need that too small. :-) A supercharger would be badass one day. Maybe in the distant future when I am ready to have tons of work to do on the mini again. :-P

[@MosheNarkis]

Hi, just replaced all 4 shocks to KYB gas A adjust, and also installed HI LO's, a have lowered the car in a way that the wheel ( i have 13's ) is about 1" from the arch, it all look very nice.. but, when i jack up the car the cone pulled out ! its look like the shock travel + lowering the car that much = lose cone, do you have any Suggestions ?? thanks, Moshe.

[@classicminidiy]

Do you have lower bump stops installed under the top arms? Also is this the front, rear, or both? Sometimes if the bump stop is missing this can happen when jacking up the car. I have seen cones fall loose like that with lowered cars but honestly it's kinda unusual. Image for reference: i.imgur.com/sDOwN2o.jpg

[@MosheNarkis]

thanks for your reply, it's only the rear ones, i'm considering to build some kind of stopper to limit the drop..

[@thornvfx]

What is the maximum ride height using lowered shock absorbers? I need new shocks and cones, but I'm concerned that the lowered versions will cause rubbing/bottoming out of suspension. Is it safe to say that they can work effectively at a safe height to prevent this? Thanks for your comments...

[@classicminidiy]

I don't actually know the maximum ride height for those lowered shocks. I have always heard and read that anytime you are lower than stock ride height you should use the lowered shocks.

[@humbledore]

How do you loosen the brake line to drop the wheel hub further? Mine hardly drops, meaning I can't get access to the back of the shock and "help" it onto the shock mount?

[@classicminidiy]

Can you take a photograph and show me what you mean? Normally you have a soft line going to the rear arm and then the fixed line is captive on the rear arm so it wouldn't prevent the arm from lowering. [e-mail]

[@SingleServinJack]

Hi - these videos are great, I'm a total novice just starting to work on my Mini and they have been a great help. Planning on switching shocks next but I'm not sure if I need to do anything else to lower the ride height? Will simply switching from normal to lowered shocks do it, or should I fit Hilos at the same time? Thanks :)

[@classicminidiy]

Hey! Glad you like the videos and they are helping. So shock absorbers don't lower the car at all. Shock absorbers are there to manage rebound of the spring/cone. If you want to lower the car you will definitely need to get hi-los to accomplish it. You are on the right track though with the lowered shocks through which you will definitely need in order to accommodate the lower ride height with the hi-los.

[@SingleServinJack]

Gotcha, thanks. Just starting to learn how it all works! Cheers :)

[@adn230]

Thanks

[@classicminidiy]

You're very welcome!

[@benjaminfranklin7162]

on the rear left shock, did you have an issue of the top of the shock bouncing on the petrol tank?

[@classicminidiy]

I have never encountered that issue before. Are you having that problem in your car?

[@benjaminfranklin7162]

+Classic Mini DIY I did have at first, I have koni adjustable shocks, just wondered if gaz have the same issue

[@classicminidiy]

Perhaps with other brands since everything is a little different but with smootha ride , adjusta-ride, gaz I haven't had any problems. :-)

[@catweasle5737]

Great information. The thing is I own a 1969 mini and the set up on these are a little different. Does anyone here know of a channel that has step by step videos on information like this? For instance, I would like to change my drums to discs. Any help out there?

[@classicminidiy]

I am planning on doing a drum to disc conversion as soon as I can find a mini still running drums near me. Unfortunately all my friends already updated to discs.... :-)

[@catweasle5737]

Classic Mini DIY That would be great. I hope you find one. Cheers.

[@Fordmk1]

is gaz any good i need a lowering kit for my mk1 granada

[@classicminidiy]

I love my gas shocks, I have had them about 3 years now and still going strong. I think they are the best bang for your buck out there for the mini.

[@JaaS0on]

Can you use lowered shocks on standard cones?

[@classicminidiy]

Yes you can. The only thing that impacts the lowered vs standard shocks is the actual ride height. The cones are the same no matter the height of the car.

[@JaaS0on]

Have you by chance changed your dash illumination lights? Would love a diy of replacing those with LEDs

[@JaaS0on]

Is it possible to damage the cone if compressed too much using the tool?

[@classicminidiy]

Didn't see these until just now. Yes you can use lowered shocks on standard cones. There isn't any official "lowered" cones for sale. The only cones that come pre-lowered are used ones that are already sagging a good bit. I have not yet changed my dash lights with LED's however I am planning to do that in a video very very soon. And as far as damaging the cones if compressed too much Old Cones I would wager it is POSSIBLE. The rubber could split, metal cup could come detached. I would wager it would be harder to break new cones with new rubber. You don't need to torque the cone compressor down like crazy though. Just enough to get the trumpet out of the top arm socket. If you have adjustable high-los you may want to adjust them so they are as low as possible if you are having trouble getting the trumpet out.

[@Tom-mb7cf]

anyone know the name of paint of that mini?

[@classicminidiy]

Antelope Beige per the owner. :-)

[@Tom-mb7cf]

Thanks it looks great

[@sako3wheeler]

3 better than 5

[@4adesign98]

You should jack under the lower arm, not the front tie-bar point!!!! you are causing massive stress to the subframe and mountings doing it there.

[@classicminidiy]

Haynes manual refers to the front tie-bar as the appropriate jacking point. Although that said, if you have any worries about where you are jacking always refer to the service manual for the car.