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[amba]

Any ideas as to why O/S measures through centre of wheel to arch @ 645mm and N/S @670mm.

Have just replaced both rear spring and shocks...used identical KYB springs 6227 as per guide and genuine VX s/l shocks ..parts checked as 72119084 and are also identical. I primed both new shocks before fitting and both air lines are attached.

Car drives fine but noticed this morning when sat on driveway as n/s is slightly higher so got tape measure out.

Any ideas please.

[Lazydocker]

Did you make sure you got the springs sat correctly?

Just a wild stab in the dark but would be my first check

[amba]

Sure I fitted them as per guide.

Top shock pigtail facing back and onto rubber mount with stop.Bottom shock just sat onto rubber cushion mat.

I did the o/s first and that is dead center through wheel to arch at 645mm and cannot hear any leaks from air pipes.
N/s was done last and this measures at 670mm so full 25 mm difference in height.Identical springs and shocks...I have just removed sensor arm from trailing arm and shocks both pump up so thats all working..will finish doing rear donuts and then have a closer look at nearside spring again.

Would any kind soul with a Mini facelift Elite just have a measure for me and see which side seems to be about right....my gut feel is the nearside looks too high..strange though car drives and handles nicely so shows how bad the old ones were.

[Lazydocker]

TBH, I don't think you can get fitting the springs wrong enough to make that much difference unless it's not sat on the "base" top and bottom.

Curious! I won't measure mine for you as it's probably not right at the moment

[bigdods]

Make sure you post up the answer when you find it as I've got exactly the same problem but as its handling fine I havent got around to investigating.

[Kevin Wood]

It must be the springs, I think.  :-/

If it were the shocks, I think the air levelling system would equalise the two sides because the two shocks are plumbed together.

I take it the car has been driven enough to settle everything following the change?

Kevin

[Brikhead]

Is the front end level? May be problems at the front causing the rear not to sit right...

[amba]

Front sits fine and only noticed it this morning when positioning trolley jack to do donut bushes,so got tape measure out.

Both springs are identical part numbers and from same source..located on top and bottom rubbers correctly so could the springs be different lenghts ?

Have driven about 40 miles since work done and was most pleased with how stable and smooth the ride now was....looks like I may end up having to undo all that was done to check..real pain in the ar.e....unless anybody has any bright suggestions although strange another member has a similar issue.

[Martin_1962]

Ground not level?

[amba]

Well I think I have now got the answer,well at least to my particular issue.

It seems that with all the moving about and up and down on the jack and stands the o/s air connector to the shock is leaking .

Good old VX have been so tight that the pipework barely reaches the shock and even though I have pressed it on tight with the little metal tang it is still leaking .I will post in the wanted section for replacement pipework and the end connections for both sides as sure if 1 is tight you can bet the other will follow soon.

Any idea where you connect the pipework  at the back of car or could I cut it below the wheel arch and join new pipe to old that way it will have a bit more slack.

Very small bore pipe though ..any advise please

I have also pulled out fuse #27 to stop it hissing all the time.

[robson]

Am I correct in saying that the fuel tank is set more to the offside and therefore more weight is carried  on this side

[amba]

Not really sure about the fuel tank and loadings but would have expected it to sort out the weight with the suspension.

In truth I am sure the problem was and still is air escaping on the o/s vale pipework connecter.

The pipework was SO tight it came off the old vale because the arm was knackered.Different matter getting it back onto a proper length shock absorber.Am sure VX cut the pipework so tight that it will require adjusting to now suit but unsure how to join that thin pipework without getting another leak.

Anyway posted a Wanted in the parts section and see how we get on with the plumbing.

[feeutfo]

270mm is the correct hight, give or take a couple of mill or two, so tother side is low. Would support the leak diagnosis also.

Would sugest replacing the whole pipe section back to the t pieces under the rear end. Join aint gona work unkess you can source those connectors. Thers a breaker in heathrow on gay bay.

Nothing got trapped during the dif drop did it?  :-/ There should be some slack iirc? Is the air pipe the same length as opposite side?

[amba]

Thanks for measurments Chris...Actually both sides are very tight,but its the o/s that is causing the leak and thus the difference in height.

Think where it has not now sealed up properly and been pushed the connector is a bit goosed.I would be happier to see if I can get 2 new valve caps with the little metal clips and enough pipework to go back to where the T peice might be.Might see if anybody has  a set that could take to the coming up meet for my buddy "The Alarming Man" to pick up for me that way i then have all the right bits.

Convinced VX have cut the pipework too short though.

Where abouts is the T  peice connector located .

[amba]

Just thinking about this and not sure if the diameter of the air pipework is the same as that which is used on the vacuum pipework in the engine bay

Still seems to be a red washer seal inside the black plastic valve cap which am sure is also not intact.