When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
JCW GarageInterested in John Cooper Works (JCW) parts for your 1st Generation MINI? This is where JCW upgrades and accessories for the Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs are discussed.
I just did a $30 string alignment. First I checked the Bentley Manual which said to put 150lbs in each front seat and 30lbs in the boot plus a full tank of gas before starting.
After a trip to the big box store to get 6 50lb bags of fence post concrete (I’m about to build a retaining wall) I put a large plastic sheet in the interior and carefully placed the bags on the front seats. I put some dumbbells in the boot with a small toolbox since the tank is only 1/2 full.
The camber was seriously excessive and had to be adjusted to the minimum to get even close to 1.5 degrees. Then I set up the parallel fishing lines and checked the toe-in. The right side was amazingly perfect. 1/32 of toe-in. The left side was way off but easily adjusted with the car on the garage floor and multiple folded garbage bags under the tires. It only took about an hour after rounding up the stuff.
The test drive was great! Suspension is nice and quiet and seems more balanced with the 20mm Whiteline rear sway bar. I’ll get the fender liners back in and call it good! Chili Red by a Redwood Tree JCW Rear End
