A couple of questions:

On page 3 of the PDF, it talks about making alignment marks. What exactly is being aligned there? The top hat of the assembly? The spring ends? The tube bracket?

Also, did anyone find required torque specs? Or have a link?

Thanks,

 

Yes it is referencing the top hat to the lower perch on the strut assembly. If you get that off it will be near impossible to get the strut back in the car, as well as it can create noise as the spring end works against the strut.

 

Hey Adam (or any other NAM'ers who have the H&R's), how long did this install take??? I'm getting the ALTA 19mm rear sway bar installed Thursday, so I was thinking about doing the springs at the same time. However, my installer is quoting 4 hours ON TOP of the hour or so it will take to do the sway bar. Don't know if I can swing that one; not now at least.

 

This is a good question. The four hours he is quoting is a "book or flat rate" and it pretty much industry standard. HOWEVER, real world time is less than half that. Meaning (I have some formal mech. training) I did this at home with jack stands, etc. (no hoist) in about an hour. The first time MINI guy but still a licensed mechanic should bill for 2 hours and have it done in less than that. Alignment is another hour and if your quote includes that, then you are in the ball park. The only other caveat is to do the swaybar you have to remove one of the struts. So I would say 2.5-3 hours max billed for labor and one hour alignment. My two cents!

 

Have you considered doing the swaybar yourself? I did mine in my driveway, and was surprised how easy it was to do. Not many tools needed either. A few guys are doing pulleys in Yardley this weekend, and you could get a hand over there, or if you want to bring it up here, I'd help you get it done.

I've got springs to do too, but I think I'm going to hold off till spring and see how the stock car does on my snowy driveway before dropping it.

 

Was there a pun intended? ~~~~

Anyone have any info for 18" rims with 215/35's on a stock suspension?

 

Oh okay, cool, that makes sense. The mechanic I'm getting to do it definitely isn't a first time MINI guy, so hopefully he can get it done in under two hours. Although if it does take four, I'm going to blame you personally and send you the bill... No, just kidding. The quote does not include an alignment, and now that you mention it, that actually brings up a second question. In reading the NAM boards I've been getting mixed information on when is the proper time for an alignment after a spring install. Should I go ahead and get it done at the same time as the install or wait a couple hundred miles for the springs to 'settle down'?
Thanks as always!

 

Well given that I'm the epitome of NOT mechanically savvy, I haven't considered doing it myself. Also, living on campus, I don't have even the simplest tools or proper space for such an install (or really any for that matter). But I'll definitely take you up on that invitation. I'm a visual learner and very quick to catch on, so I know with the proper tools, space and instruction I could learn to do a lot of mods myself.

I also may hold off on my spring upgrade until Spring (funny now that Charlie Croker pointed it out ). I assume the extra ground clearance will help in getting through the snow. Also, I'm going to install new 18" wheels and tires come Spring so I don't know how that will affect alignment or general spring issues.

 

Msteadman,

You could have gone one step further and said "I'm not going to spring for springs until spring. Oh the English language............ no wonder why it's so hard to grasp.

Now please, someone help me with the 18" wheel quesion. Please!!!!!!!

 

Believe it or not I actually considered that exact line but thought it to be a bit much.

But, sorry, what exactly is your question concerning 18" wheels??? Are you looking for wheels that are compatible with that tire size or just wondering how they will fare on the MINI?

 

No pun intended.

As far as the 18" with 215's. I think Gabe on Motoringfile had them before he got the JCW suspension. No problems mentioned if I recall correctly (other than being a little tough on the kidneys). In fact I think he's moving to 40 series tires for a little more give on rough roads.

 

If you still have my email, drop me a note, and we can get together to do the install. It'll take about an hour. I have all the needed tools except a set of jack stands, which I can borrow from a friend (or I may just spring for a set).

 

I had this exact same question when deciding on my wheel upgrade. You can find a wealth of information in the Tires, Wheels, & Brakes forum. In particular these three links (the first being my inquiry in the subject):

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=116112

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=115904

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=115948

 

Writing an email right now - thanks so much!

 

Yup, yup and yup. I'll have a set of 40s on my car next March.

 

okay, can I use a set of H & R springs and lower the suspension on a "stock" non- sport suspension with out rubbing issues? What about a rear sway bar? Again, I can handle the ride, but want good handling. Our roads down here bar? Do I need one on the front? Our roads are pretty good, and many, very good.

PS: I'm stuck with the 35"S for now.

 

I am a-ok with getting an alignment at the point of installation. There is VERY little chance of any settling as well as H&R springs are all block tested prior to packaging, and include a lifetime no-sag warranty. So my vote is align!

 

That is great!! My alignment guy only charged me for the front, which came out fine but he said that there was no room for adjustment to remove the negative 1.8 degree rear camber I now have. He must have been wrong so I will go to another mechanic to see if we can shove them in a little. I am not picky so just eyeballing it will do for me.

Other than this minor glitch, I love my H & R springs.

Question: Is the bolt for adjustment the one closest to the wheel or the muffler or both??

 

HEY - so totally random and unrelated, but I just saw in your sig that you have the actual size sticker. Where'd you get it??? Ever since seeing it I just HAVE to get one. HILARIOUS! Every single time I get out of my MINI and look at it (which is basically every time I get out of my MINI) I can't help smiling and thinking to myself that it seems to be the scaled down version of a 'real car'.
Going off on a bit of a tangent here. But today I'm at the grocery store getting out of my MINI and some guy stops and asks me, with a huge smile on his face, "what make is that???" I of course say MINI, and he's like "wait, that's REALLY the name!?! I get that it's small, but..." Totally made my day.

 

I would think with a ruler and a calculator, you could figure out almost exactly how much you'd need to lengthen the control arm to the proper camber (at least for the rear). Front might be a little more complicated

 

I got it from a fellow member in SCMM ( a car club) I have no idea where he got it. It is sort of an inside joke to us MINI owners

 

Or these:

 

http://aestheticreations.net/bumperstickers.htm

 

I just ordered up some Rear Control Arms from Alta to remove some of the -1.8/-1.9 camber. When I get them on, I will give a report.

 

Don't the stock arms have some adjustment to them?