Donuts - when to replace?

[haynes]

A couple of years ago i fitted hilos to the front because one side was a little lower than the other. The donuts at the front are the originals having covered 130k, is it worth replacing them or do the last forever?

I was thinking of transferring the newish standard ones from the back on to the front and fitting stiffer ones at the back, to reduce understeer. Anyone tried using stiffer donuts?

[Plotloss]

They do need replacing, they sag over time.

I remember reading something that stated they should be done every 10 years or so.

Sling 'em and fit coil overs if its a high day and dry day car, the difference is marked to say the least...

[haynes]

Just realised, they're actually called suspension cones, any views on when or if they need replacing?

[haynes]

Hmmm, quite tempted by coil overs. Ive striped the car down to do all the rust and respray it, and also do all the other long over due mods like bunging in a webber air box. Have to be a bit careful as funds are a bit limited and i wont be able to do everything I'd like. I must start a new thread about things you'd definately do during a rebuild.

[love machine]

Racers like the used ones, I bought some new ones and waited ages for them to bed in. My front hilos are still on the minimum setting and it has got a bit to go yet. Bloody things.

10" wheels and rubber cones, it's how they work the best on 10"s. I suppose that coils may sort out your 13"s a bit. I like mine nice and stiff.

[haynes]

i'm running 10s, and was going to take the back ones off, which have only been on there a year or so, and put them on the front. Then get some stiffer ones for the back. The subframe is galvanised so its worth keeping, i know plenty of hill climbers and road cars that perform well enough with a subframe and rubber cone set up.

[love machine]

The back ones are barely important and are generally like new anyway, innocenti cones have a different operating envelope due to their shape. Hilos also give the same effect as the platform which the rubber bears against is of a different shape than a conventional trumpet. Stiff cones and hilos could be pretty solid.

I also hear that the first batch of cones (59-64) were of a harder material. My 64 was solid as a motherbeast. (running its original cones) it virtually had no suspension which was great.