Well, the clubby failed its roadworthy (waaaaaahhhhhh...).

The only major mechanical items were the ball joints so that's good. However, they also said the ride height was too low. I'm at a loss on this issue as we're running standard shockies and no mods that might affect the ride height (as far as I can work out). I don't even know if minis have a standard factory set height. I would really appreciate any advice on this issue.

I was sooo looking forward to my first drive on the road

Eiles

Leyland workshop manual (1978) quotes wing height (vertical distance from centre of front wheel hub to bottom edge of wheel arch) as 13 1/4 inches (336.5mm) (+) or (-) 1/4 inch (6.4mm) for Deluxe and Clubman (on hydrolastic suspension).
That equals roughly 3 fingers between tyre top and wheel arch - assuming "homologated" fingers. 2 fingers = racing height!
Old or very compressed rubber suspension units could contribute to excessively low ride height.
"Incompetent inspector" could also contribute to the above, as minis look low to the ground. Can be corrected by spacers fitted to the ball end.
Our Toyota Camry has less ground clearance than my minis.

Thanks For great info Bill

Much appreciated.

Eiles

According to the listing they use here in SA, it should have a minimum of 33mm between the bumpstops and the bit the bumpstop hits against - that will be 2/3 of the original travel.

However, the rules also say that it must have a minimum of 100mm ground clearance.

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Don't listen to what I am saying... just understand what I mean.

Does anybody's sump sit 100mm off the ground?! Mine is about 85mm. Did they come from the factory with 100mm ground clearance?

Thanks

Michael

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67 Deluxe
Dry suspension
1293cc, 11:1 comp, RE 282 camshaft, 45 Weber, extractors etc
4 synchro close ratio gbox
Cooper S brakes, no booster
Stealth box, as Doc says "goes harder and idles!"
RH tank cos I needed it crossing the Nullarbor etc..

Yes they cleared 4" when new. Registration Regs here were reduced from 6" to 4" to make them legal.

Don't know how the Matics passed, they are lower at the sump than a manual is..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Did you ask him how high he wants it to be??? Historic specs are only useful as an arguing point if he wants more than the factory provided.....

"no mods that might affect the ride height.." Like most things. Mini sag with age .. the rubber cones compress a bit with time and there are other wear points... Shocks have no effect on ride height.

While you have the hubs apart I would be getting new knuckle joints ..and maybe adding a washer or two between the joint and the strut. This could win you maybe an inch and a half at very little cost.

The next step would be to replace the front rubber cones with some second hand rear cones. This should solve your problems. Other wise its probably necessary for you to start looking for a set of HiLos...

Cheers, Ian

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Thanks Simon.

Much appreciated.

Eiles

Yes, I think Hi - Lo's will be the option to go for.
Thanks Ian.

Once you have Hi Lows, you won't have anything else. Set it up high for the roadworthy, then drop it to wherever you want it.

..... not forgetting to redo the wheel alignment each time

Cheers, Ian

Will do.

Bought knuckle joints as well. Might as well make sure everything is ok.

Thank you all for great advice.

Eiles

From Memory, Australia wide the minimum height for headlights
Fitted to any Car, was 24" from the ground to the centre
of the Head Lamp, I am however not sure if this is still the case

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" A Hundred Years From Now It will not Matter what my Bank Acount Was,
The Sort Of House I Lived in, Or The Kind Of Car I drove ... But The World May Be A Better Place
Because I was Once Important In The Life Of A Child"

Thanks John.