Front Suspension Upgrade Advice

[Andy W]

Hi all,
With a variety of different kits available but limited info on the dealers' websites, I'd love advice & pictures from those of you who have upgraded their front suspension.....I'd like to know how much work is involved in the various kits & which kit seems the best to get.
Thanks,
Andy.

[ManyMinors]

Firstly, what is the specification of your car and what do you hope to achieve by "upgrading" the front suspension?

[philthehill]

Adding to the above - what upgrades are you considering?

The Minor front suspension in good condition and well maintained is very good and does not need improvement unless you intend to throw it around a race track

[Andy W]

It's a "68 Traveller with 1275cc Marina engine, Metro carb on Mini Spares inlet manifold with Manners Group 1.5" exhaust system.
Drum brakes still but with servo fitted. Manners Group rear shock Spax adaption.
I use the car several times a week, all year round, inc. several 1000 mile round trips a year, & often carry a drum kit in the back.
I do like driving it, er, enthusiastically!
Following advice from your good selves I have put thicker oil in the dampers - a great improvement.

I'd love to NOT spend money on the suspension but I find the old dampers tend to enjoy leaking from the bottom no matter what I do.
I have only recently replaced one which had a stripped thread.
On the principle that the front suspension unfortunately does need some more time & money from me, & that presumably the conversions are an improvement over refurbished OEM dampers I need your advice please.

[Declan_Burns]

Andy,
There is nothing you can really do to the original dampers to upgrade them except change the oil viscosity which you state you have done.
If they are leaking at the bottom you may need to anneal the copper washer on the plug and clean all surfaces.
They usually leak at the shaft and it is a big job to replace the seals. If that is the case get replacements as the leak will not stop.

Regards
Declan

[Trickydicky]

If the dampers are leaking from the bottom plug, try replacing the washer with a O ring instead of the copper washer.

[shoebone]

Your 68 Traveller is 49 years old and most likely on its original dampers. You discovered that changing damper oil is a low cost and worthwhile upgrade. Personally, I would put some reconditioned dampers on with 30 or 40 weight oil in them and run it for the next 49 years

[philthehill]

If the dampers are leaking from the bottom plug, try replacing the washer with a O ring instead of the copper washer.

A Dowty washer is even better.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dowty-Washers ... ZYR04Xz7JA

[olderisbetter]

When i first got a minor i wanted it to stop and handle well and after making sure all the standard items are in good condition and well adjusted it is quite good, one of my other cars has Riley drums and no servo it stops very well, i have driven a saloon with vented discs and harder suspension and to be honest to me it had less charm and was a bit hard on the driver, but thats just my opinion, Rob.

[Andy W]

Ok folks, you have convinced me!
I will look at the lower seals & replace /improve if necessary.
If the unit(s) prove beyond repair I will probably just fit recon. ones.
Thanks for all your advice.
Andy.

[Andy W]

If the dampers are leaking from the bottom plug, try replacing the washer with a O ring instead of the copper washer.

A Dowty washer is even better.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dowty-Washers ... ZYR04Xz7JA

Any idea what size Dowty washer I'd need to buy?

[philthehill]

Unfortunately I currently cannot gain access to the spare dampers I have to get a measurement so all I can advise is:-
Take the bottom plug out and measure the dia of the plug or inside dia of the current washer and that will give you the dia requirements of the Dowty washer.
The Dowty washers are available on 'e' bay.
Make sure that you account for all the bits and pieces that may be displaced when you remove the bottom plug.

[Andy W]

Thanks Phil, you are a diamond!

[BrianHawley]

Just for your info, I've got a similar car (67 Traveller with a Marina 1275).

I've got Marina front discs, vertical shocks and a front anti-roll bar - otherwise standard front.

Handles fine, even when vigorously driven. Had though about a coil-over front end but don't think I really need it.

[dalebrignall]

i would say a antiroll bar is one of the best upgrades you can do

[Andy W]

As it happens I fitted an anti-roll bar this morning! I thought it may be a relatively cheap upgrade.
Only had time for a brief test drive but it felt much better!
Dowty washers on way to hopefully stop dripping dampers!
Andy.