The Classic Mini’s unique rubber cone suspension uses compact conical rubber elements in place of conventional coil or leaf springs. The cones compress under load to provide the springing medium and are a defining feature of the car’s compact packaging. Rubber cones harden and lose compliance with age, resulting in a progressively harsher ride and reduced suspension travel. On a car with original cones that have never been replaced, the difference after fitting new ones is immediately noticeable, the ride becomes more compliant, road noise reduces and the suspension works through its full travel as designed.
Replacement cones are available in standard and uprated specifications.
Front Suspension
The front suspension uses upper and lower wishbone arms with the rubber cone spring compressed between the upper arm and a reaction plate on the subframe. The lower arm is located by a tie rod connected to the subframe with rubber bushes. The front swivel hub carries the front hub, wheel bearings and brake assembly and connects the steering to the suspension via upper and lower ball joints. Ball joint kits include two joints for one swivel hub.
Each swivel hub has two grease nipples (one per ball joint), giving four nipples in total across the car, and these should be greased at regular service intervals, neglected greasing allows wear to accumulate rapidly through the entire front end once play develops. It is not a problem that stands still.
Wishbone Arm Bushes
Worn wishbone arm bushes and tie rod bushes allow unwanted movement in the front suspension, producing vague steering feel, uneven tyre wear and poor handling response. Bushes are available in standard rubber and polyurethane. Polyurethane bushes offer improved durability and sharper handling response but must always be fitted with polyurethane-compatible grease, standard grease will attack and degrade polyurethane over time. Never fit any suspension bush dry.
As with all suspension bushes, final tightening of fasteners must be carried out with the car on its wheels at normal ride height, tighten with the suspension hanging free and you pre-load the bushes before the car has moved, preventing the suspension from settling correctly and accelerating bush wear from the first journey.
Subframes and Subframe Mounts
The front subframe carries the engine, gearbox, steering rack and front suspension as a complete assembly. The rear subframe carries the rear suspension. Both subframes mount to the bodyshell on rubber mounts. Worn mounts allow the subframes to move relative to the body, directly affecting steering precision, handling balance and ride quality.
Subframe mounting points on the bodyshell are one of the most critical corrosion areas on the Classic Mini and should be inspected regularly, corrosion at these points compromises the structural integrity of the car. Mounts are available in standard rubber and polyurethane.
MGOC Spares Range
Within the MGOC Spares Classic Mini catalogue, this category covers rubber cone springs in standard and uprated specifications, front and rear subframes, subframe mounts in rubber and polyurethane, upper and lower wishbone arms, tie rod assemblies with bushes, individual tie rod bushes in rubber and polyurethane, ball joint kits, ball joint gaiters, grease nipples, swivel hubs, front hub assemblies for drum and disc brake cars, wheel bearing and seal kits, spacers, hub nuts, split pins, and all associated hardware and fixings.