Had this car for two years maintinance free for the most part. Adjusted the valves for free and spend 35 USD on an air filter. The JCI (Japanese version of MOT) is coming due soon so I need to pass that and I'm moving back to the states in the summer so a perminent/expensive fix is not nessisary. The car is only driven around the air base at low speeds as well.

the ride height is sagged on both rears but more on the right which is the only one rubbing. I would be ok with spending a few dollars for a more proper fix but not wanting to spend hundreds on a car that I'm selling in 2-3 months. a couple of 20.00 parts would be fine but new spring cups is not ideal.  A link to a schematic of the suspension would be helpfull so i could see what parts people are mentioning. The mini is unique so I don't understand 100% how the whole system comes together. I see aftermarket knuckle joints are only 10.00

how would i inspect the knucle joints to see if they are sagged over stock? is there any measurement I can take?

Malcolm point taken lad!  

I agree with both of you Peter and Dimitris but the poster said three words in his last sentance on his original post "without spending anything" so that is why i gave him the cheap no frills washer option.

if you get that far just replace the cones you ll be just one step away!

I will assume that both sides at the rear have sagged...could be knuckles and cups are needed on both sides...if just one side, sounds more like a knuckle is collapsing or has collapsed/broken.

The question is does the rear of the Mini sit at the same height side to side without any load and if so how much clearance is there between the tires and the flairs...is it 1/2", less, more.  You need at least 1 1/2" clearance if the Mini is going to be loaded with rear passengers etc.

The ratio for the rear cones is 5 to 1...example, for every 1/4" in cone length or shortening there will be a 1 1/4" change in ride height.  (since the rubber cones/doughnuts are part of that overall length, as they flatten the ride height drops)

The 3/16th in added washers mentioned above will raise the rear end 15/16".

Install hi-lows, replace cones and knuckles

The cheapest way to gain some height is with washers but it may not be enough for your needs. Jack up the car and loosen the lower shock bolt to remove the shock absorber from its mounting, let the radius arm drop. The trumpet and rubber displacer can be removed and the trumpet has a knuckle on the end of it. You need to remove the knuckle (it is just pressed in but may be tight) and insert at least a 3/16" washer then re install the knuckle. Also replace the nylon cup where the knuckle sits it may be worn so that is cheap and will give you some height. The long term would be to replace the rubber displacer (donut) and or buy a set of Hi Lo's to make it adjustable.

I am having a problem with my 1.3 rover mini. The rear has sagged down and is causing the tire to rub with passengers or under harder cornering. I need to find a way to raise it about 10-15mm before I put new tires on it so that they won't rub. I have had a hard time finding any pictorals on how this can be done. The car is a 2000 model (last year I think) I have heard that you can adjust a rod or add washers to change height but havent been able to find any pictorals, videos, or other sources on how it can be done.  I know that there are parts I can replace to get the ride height back up but right now I just need to get it raised up in the short term without spending anything so my son can get to school and stop borrowing my roadster.

any help would be great.

Thanks.