12 replies to this topic

[rory57]

Just learned that Alex Moulton is gone. Hard to believe we will see his like again.

How I miss that Hydragas ride!

http://www.telegraph...ex-Moulton.html

[desmo]

Always have wanted to try one of his bicycles, I've heard they work great.

[mariner]

Yes, a great career and he did more than just one thing, cars and folding bikes. I had not realised he was related to the Avon rubber company owners - helped with test samples I think!

I suppose ( and to nothing away from him ) a good student seminar discussion would be " would the Mini car design have been really any different if Issigonis had just used ordinary springs since ruber suspension turned out a five minute wonder of car suspension design"

Were the rubber cones a blind alley?

[Catalina Park]

When I got on the computer this afternoon after work the first thing I did was renew the registration on my 1966 Morris 1100. The second thing I did was to read the news of the passing of Alex Moulton.
May his final ride be smooth and without bounce, roll or pitch.

[Greg Locock]

Were the rubber cones a blind alley?

Who has driven both? To my shame i can't even tell you which my Mini (1980) had.

[Catalina Park]

I have driven Minis with rubber cones and I have driven them with Hydrolastic. Hydrolastic wins for ride and comfort every time.
I am rebuilding a 1967 Moke and I am still tossing up fitting it with hydro.

[mariner]

well, if Greg as a suspension engineer isn't sure what system his Mini had it must say something but I'm not sure what

Does anybody remember drilling holes through the rubber cones to change the spring rate ( hopefully) after stripping a Mini of a lot of weight for racing?

And the skimpy little beam axle people fitted , if legal, to get rid of all the rear sub frame weight. The front end was usually so stiff due to the tiny wheelwells that it's not clear if the elimination of the trailing arm roll camber actually made any difference!

[Greg Locock]

well, if Greg as a suspension engineer isn't sure what system his Mini had it must say something but I'm not sure what

Grins, well I've only been designing suspensions for 19 years (10 full time), before that I was mostly engines and driveline. I must have worked on the Mini's suspension to get it through the MoT, as one or other subframe fell out, but I can't remember which suspension it had, I'd guess cones. And of course every year I had to dismantle the back end to get the brakes to work.

[275 GTB-4]

Yes, a great career and he did more than just one thing, cars and folding bikes. I had not realised he was related to the Avon rubber company owners - helped with test samples I think!

I suppose ( and to nothing away from him ) a good student seminar discussion would be " would the Mini car design have been really any different if Issigonis had just used ordinary springs since ruber suspension turned out a five minute wonder of car suspension design"

Were the rubber cones a blind alley?

The last Rover Mini came off the line in 2000, with rubber cones....thats a reasonably good run (50 years) for a brilliant idea don't you think???

[Kelpiecross]

It does seem to be the fashion these days to use steel springs instead of rubber cones when restoring or rebuilding a Mini.

I owned both Minis and 1100's for many years - I thought the hydroelastic worked well on the 1100 - but not so well on the Mini.

[275 GTB-4]

It does seem to be the fashion these days to use steel springs instead of rubber cones when restoring or rebuilding a Mini.

I owned both Minis and 1100's for many years - I thought the hydroelastic worked well on the 1100 - but not so well on the Mini.

Ummmmmm there have been a few problems with the coil-overs....suggest you read a little more of the criticism in this regard whereas, rubber cones (and hydro if kept serviced) give years of trouble free motoring....

Edited by 275 GTB-4, 12 December 2012 - 07:19.

[Kelpiecross]

Ummmmmm there have been a few problems with the coil-overs....suggest you read a little more of the criticism in this regard whereas, rubber cones (and hydro if kept serviced) give years of trouble free motoring....

The springs are not a "coil-over" but a short spring that fits in place of the rubber cone. The shock absorber remains as standard Mini.

[275 GTB-4]

The springs are not a "coil-over" but a short spring that fits in place of the rubber cone. The shock absorber remains as standard Mini.

Call em what you will....but premature failures have plagued their use..

Saw a beaut Blue Speckle today and chatted with the lady owner....maybe 13 weeks old....beautiful dog

Edited by 275 GTB-4, 12 December 2012 - 10:30.