Dry to Wet subframe conversion

[Jerryh997]

I know wet to dry subframe conversions have been carried out in the past but has anyone converted a dry front subframe to wet? I’m in the process of putting one of my cars back to hydrolastic and have a really good twin bolt front frame and looked at trying to replace the retaining cups. I’ve tried to fabricate a cup but without much success so I suppose the only way is removing the cups from a rusted hydro frame if any are about or buy a new frame which I’m trying to avoid. Any help would be most appreciated.

Jerry

[whistler]

I assume you know that the top arms are different on a hydro setup?

[Jerryh997]

Thanks for the reply, Yes I have original arms somewhere I think

[Peter Laidler]

There have been a couple of threads about this and Spider Chris did a write-up with good photos.

As for the subframe mod. What about putting a for sale/wanted ad on the forum. Maybe someone really sensible wants to do a reverse hydro-to-dry changeover this winter

But, be warned Jerry. I have made a detailed study of hydrolastic and its many faults and foibles. To be honest, in my opinion, hydro is a frill, if not a total fraud. And remember this too. That you are going to replace the bouncy castle suspension with hydro units that are at least37 years old, since the last run-out spares order was in 1986. Or that was approx when they were last available.

On that note, do you really think that those internal special valves will still be operable? Nope, they'll be rusted out - or solid!

I live with my hydro car but take great care of it. You're a braver man than me Gunga Din

[GraemeC]

Aren’t the towers a taller too?
Don’t know if this makes a difference

[Rusty old S]

It won’t work as the ‘chamber’ is larger to take the hydro unit so therefore lack of tower spacers, the ride height will take some sorting out

[Peter Laidler]

I've got a feeling in my bones that you can machine adapter spacers that a) accept the hydro unit and b) be retained within the tower by countersunk screws.

But what a palaver............

I've got another feeling in my bones too. That this thread will run for a while

[mab01uk]

Found this 'Dry to Wet' rear subframe write up & photos from the USA which may be of some help, it assumed new Hydrolastic rear subframes were not available at the time (2010) :-
"So I walked out of Mini City with a rear subframe for a dry suspension car and instructions on how to modify it to fit the Hydrolastic suspension. (You can’t get new wet subframes any more – you have to modify dry ones.) Like most things Mini, I love the simplicity of design that goes into these cars. The difference between the wet and the dry subframes is just one single part. I had scavenged that one part from my old subframe before trashing it, so if I could just switch them, I’d be home free.
On the Hydrolastic suspensions, instead of the dome, there’s a sort of cup-like metal piece with retainers for the tabs on the Hydrolastic displacer. That’s the part in photo below on the left. The dry suspension “dome” is the part on the right. I was able to drill out the six spot welds that held it in place, and switch it for the displacer retainer salvaged from the old subframe. Only one retainer was salvageable, however, so I had to make a version up for the other side. I made a substitute ring that I welded in place for the displacer to fit into. Here’s a picture of the displacer in place inside the new ring."
Dry to Wet:-
https://miniproject2.wordpress.com/2010 ... ry-to-wet/

[Rusty old S]

The rear one is easy, front forget it just buy or swap one with a forum member

[Fanfaniracing]

There were a couple of wet subframes for sale here in Switzerland some weeks ago. Don't think he sells them as nobody wants them.
Can ask if he still has them if you like. Could possibly take it to goodwood...

[Jerryh997]

Thanks for all the replies seems like too much hassle for the front, I’ve got a rear wet frame anyway so I think I’ll have to buy a front.
Thanks for the offer from Switzerland I will be at the revival on the Friday but it will be too much of an ask to bring a frame all that way but thanks again.
Cheers
Jerry