Mad suspension idea
Turbo Mini Forums

The other day I was thinking about rear suspension and as far as I can tell if you use a beam axle & coil-overs you should (in theory anyway) reduce the forces going through the rear radius arms, therefore the arms don't need to be as strong. Now rather than going for expensive alloy arms (despite how nice John's might look) would it be possible to machine down the cast Rover arms? Obviously this would depend on the quality of the casting and I'm not sure how much metal you could safely remove, but it might be a possibility. Would anyone madder than myself like to give it a go?

Hi,
How about some steel tubular ones?
I think machining down standard ones would be pretty difficult.
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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I have to say im a bit of a skeptic when it comes to loosing to much weight at the arse end of a mini, Im sure it will impact the handling?? The reason i say this is that for a car to handle well there needs to be a nice weight distribution over the 4 wheels ie in an ideal situation 50% over the front wheels and 50% over the back wheels or 25% taken by each wheel. By taking more weight off the back end you must be making the weight distribution even worse toward the front end?? Therefore effectivley making it more nose heavy than before, I know from goin out in my mates Vauxhall engined clubby that the hadling is pretty dia due to it being so nose heavy, and on wet roads the arse end will often try and bite you by stepping out all over the place, infact i watched him end up in a wall at one point, and im sure it was due to the fact the arse end was to light?? dunno?? just some food for thought there chaps, I might well be talking Rollocks??? would be nice to find out what other peoples views are?? Best of luck Rob

Hi,
Doc I can see your point, it would definately shift the bias towards the front, which would show up more in the wet.
Cheers,
Gavin :)

Edited by Bat on 18th May, 2007.

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I've seen lightened standard arms, holes drilled in them, they're not solid.

But regarding the handling, this can be remedied with a lightweight rear by moving to softer rear springs.

Rob, think my dodgy handling was to do with my dodgy 'by eye' setting up techniques we have here in the villages! lol

and anyhow the wall was in the way!!!

it will go round corners this time!!!

Meardley

Tom, Im intregued, how does the weight distribution problem get solve with softer rear springs? I'm currently looking into developing my mini suspension so any tips would be greatfully apprieciated.

Rob

Its all about the corner weight of the car, versus the spring rate. For example if the rear of the car is made lighter without changing the spring rate then effectively the rear spring rate becomes harder, on a mini too hard at the back makes them like a pig on rollerskates from previous experience.

the rear cast arms as standard weigh something like 11 lbs bare, you can [with time ] carefully gring the surface away, using drilled holes for thickness datums , and take circa 2lbs off , more if you remove the knuckle housing.

ive seen it done about 15year s ago,


carl

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Wouldnt the arms be unsprung weight ? so anything that can be removed here, is definately a good thing.

When I was in Malta last december I seen this Mini....




Strength must still play a part. Dont forget about kerbs, potholes etc etc...all of which could cause problems with extremely light parts such as a suspension arm.

Edited by stevieturbo on 19th May, 2007.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

On 19th of May, 2007 at 11:54am stevieturbo said:
Wouldnt the arms be unsprung weight ? so anything that can be removed here, is definately a good thing.

When I was in Malta last december I seen this Mini....




Strength must still play a part. Dont forget about kerbs, potholes etc etc...all of which could cause problems with extremely light parts such as a suspension arm.

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Even I can weld better than that - and I cannot weld!

Just ask Mini Mark who had my old trailer!:)

Edited by Scruffy on 19th May, 2007.

On 5th Sep, 2011 Vegard said:
I stand corrected. You should know

What about lighten the back of the car above the suspension to prevent roll etc. Then at least the weight of the back of the car will be kept low to the ground (suspension)...prevent roll, and snatching etc

I'm running out of ways to design weight out. Polycarbonate windows, fibreglass boot lid, alloy tank are all on the cards, the rear seat squab & bins have gone.

Or find a beam setup that car manufacturers already make and tweak it. Saves redesigning something. Example, Escort Mk5 is a beam setup, just cut & shut it. Shock setup/postion is the same kind of theory as a mini.
Only an idea though! So don't this at home kids!

Edited by Jason G on 19th May, 2007.

at the end of the day...a mini is only a mini with original mini parts on it....thats my opinion of coarse :)

The problem with that is I'd have to sell both my kidneys to pay for a titanium subframe & I think the dialysis machine would weigh more that what I'd save by going for TI.

It might not look good....but Maltese cars do tend to perform pretty damn well !!!!

Most of them are turned out to an extremely high standard too.

Pics are from a video camera, so not that good.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Blody hell fire !!!, i cannot beleive they are fitted to that particular car,
ive been approached by the owner in the past , "David Anastasi".

oh well you livew and learn,

ps i know thw maltese are serious about the motorsport

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