mk1-forum.net

hello, I've fitted at set of new 'competition' mini spares rubber donuts along with Hydrolastic upper arms. The car is a vintage racer, I'm struggling to get the front low enough, right now it isn't even close (six or seven inches from the top of the wheel to the botton of the fender) and the HiLos are as they as they go. Surely I cannot be the first to have this problem? What are the solutions, or have I done something wrong... Thanks

This has been covered several times before. You need a lathe! The Hi-Lo unit must be shortened on the small end, and the bolt need to be cut back as well. Job done!

On the race cars we remove the lock nuts to allow more adjustment, they have never moved yet.

Thanks for the info. I mind it mildly annoying that I bought a modified part to perform a specific function, but you need to modify it to get it to work. I wonder why they just don't sell them this way to begin with, must be some good reason. Thanks for the info guys!

The reason you need to machine a bit off a set of standard hilos when using new rubber cones is that MOST Hilos are fitted to cars that have old cones fitted. If they were made to suit new cones exclusively they would be too short for many other applications.

As with all performance parts you have always to expect to do a bit of "Fitting" to make it just right for your personal application.

Henry wrote:Thanks for the info. I mind it mildly annoying that I bought a modified part to perform a specific function, but you need to modify it to get it to work. I wonder why they just don't sell them this way to begin with, must be some good reason. Thanks for the info guys!

the hilos are sold to fit a range of cars covering all wheel sizes, rubber cone types and expected usages. its easier fo the end user to have to remove a bit to suit the fairly specalist application of a heavily lowered car on 10" rims using red spot cones & hydro tops arms than it is for someone to try to add a bit of metal on when using them on a tired old road car with pancake flat std rubbers springs and deep dish 13" wheels!

well that explains it then, I knew there had to be a good reason... none the less, still mildly annoying! Damn, getting those cones out and compressing those hard rubbers is a bitch, I guess once I cut some off the cone, it will make that job easier. Thanks again!

guru_1071 wrote:

Henry wrote:Thanks for the info. I mind it mildly annoying that I bought a modified part to perform a specific function, but you need to modify it to get it to work. I wonder why they just don't sell them this way to begin with, must be some good reason. Thanks for the info guys!

the hilos are sold to fit a range of cars covering all wheel sizes, rubber cone types and expected usages. its easier fo the end user to have to remove a bit to suit the fairly specalist application of a heavily lowered car on 10" rims using red spot cones & hydro tops arms than it is for someone to try to add a bit of metal on when using them on a tired old road car with pancake flat std rubbers springs and deep dish 13" wheels!

The number of times this seems to crop up it may be worth the packaging having a printed remark as such, it would save a bit of negative feedback after it had all been reassembled, never thought I would think hydro was easy.

Gray wrote:The number of times this seems to crop up it may be worth the packaging having a printed remark as such, it would save a bit of negative feedback after it had all been reassembled, never thought I would think hydro was easy.

in some respects i agree, but if instuctions covering every possible fitment application and possible problem was printed on the side of boxes of many parts used in restoration and racing applications, then there would be some pretty big boxes!


we normally try to add additional hints & tips to the instructions on the internet site, but i just dont think its possible to cover all areas

I agree Rich but a oneliner would probably be enough along the lines of ' will need the height of trumpet altered depending on usage' or 'see web page for ride high adjustment' would get them switched on before they have fitted and found the problem. Most people don't bother to read full instructions anyway so are wasted.