Since installing my new coilovers and adjustable lower control arms, I'm looking for a good alignment shop in the Columbus area that will provide custom alignment and corner balance my 04 MCS. I know that Auto Assets in Powell can do both but I'm looking for alternatives. Any suggestions?

 

To find an alignment shop-

Look in the yellow pages under brake and alignment specialist- call and ask if they do custom alignment to specifications for racing- like track, autocross or driving schools. Do they offer a print out of the final specs?

Think about doing the ride height adjustments yourself (assuming you have adjustable coilovers). You make each wheel to the right height that you want. Alternatively you can ask the alignment shop to just set each corner at a certain set height to start then do the corner balance from there.

Adjust front camber with adjustable or fixed camber plates and rear camber with adjustable lower control arms. You'll need to unload the front and rear swaybars while you do the corner balancing then reattach both bars using adjustable endlinks (only one is really needed for both front and back but they are usually sold in pairs).

Now the big question?- what are you going to use your MINI for that it needs corner balancing? Usually it'll be for track, lapping sessions, or driving school on a track.

What are your suspension particulars and wheel/tire setup?

What alignment settings are you going to use?

If you have SCCA (sport car club of america) autocross racing or BMW CCA racing then those local groups will know where the places are that will do corner balancing. You can find forums on SCCA.org for your area or by topic.

Not all shops will do it because they need scales and sometimes they will have to borrow scales. Depends on demand.

 

Thanks minihune for the reply. As usual, your input on suspension set-up is informative and appreciated. Although my MINI is a daily driver, I will compete in 2 to 3 autocrosses and 2 or 3 track days a year. While I probably don't need to have the car corner balanced to meet my needs for these days, (after all, getting everything out of a stock MINI is next to impossible unless you're a professional driver) I am just one of those that either does it right or not at all. I'll follow your suggestion and contact the guys with the local Miata Club (autocross guys) and get their input. Thanks, again

 

Yeah, Mark... I was really thinking that your car needed BETTER handling... Thank GOD you're getting to this - about bloody time.


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