New knuckle rubber cover on Hydro - that escalated quickly

[Exminiman]

…..Also if the wet subframes were still in my car then TBH i would probably just be looking at maintaining them, my dilemma (imagined or otherwise) is what to do on a newly built car……….

[Andrew1967]

I much prefer the ride of the Hydro set up and don't have any real problem with either of my cars. The Mk2 998 sometimes drops on the drivers side .. no external leaks so suspect an internal leak in a displacer .. I have a dozen spares to choose from and a Dalek.

At least Mini owners have a choice .. consider ADO16 and Landcrab owners for instance who have no choice.

I don't like the hose ends used by the re-hosing outfit, they are not correct, neither is the hose they use (as herringbone is unavailable) and in my opinion look awful in the engine bay.

It is, I think, feasible to re-use the hose end nut/insert that fits onto the adaptor as the original hose end is a two piece affair, with the insert and a crimped ferrule.

And Peter, if I was restoring a Hydro Mini, I'd keep it Hydro

[Peter Laidler]

Just a quick reply to Andy. The displacer can't leak internally as such as the two chambers are open to each other. What does happen, especially at the front, is that the lower rubber diaphragm starts to weep very slightly and the hydro fluid seeps into the rubber cupped displacer cup. It only needs a very small amount and the car lowers slightly on one side.

Happened to me several years ago. hat's when I noticed a lot of dirty rusty water had collected in the UPPER cupped part of the displacer and couldn't get out. It just sat there slowly rusting away at the hose clamp. That's the reason I always drill a vent/escape hole just above the diaphragm level.

Hydro mini's Andy...... You're to blame for me trying hard to get this old 998 Cooper, after seeing yours, I thought that I'd do another!!!!!!!

[Andrew1967]

Thanks Peter, I’ll check out the front one first. There’s definitely no leak into the floor so that could be where the fluid is going.

Well I’m to blame for a lot of things mate, so I’ll add yours to the list I know how much you like the 998 Cooper’s .