Hey all - I purchased a lightly used set of Cross coilovers and am in the process of installing them. They came without any install instructions, but I really wasn't worried - I've worked on cars for quite awhile, am mechanically inclined, and can usually figure things out without too much hassle. The fronts went in without issue. However, the rears are where I'm stuck. I know I'm reusing the stock top mount, but I cannot figure out if I am supposed to reuse the stock top rubber bushings, or how the top of the rear struts are supposed to go together. Any way I put them together looks wrong to me. I've searched and searched this forum, Mini2, MU and everywhere, and cannot find any pics or install instructions. Anyone here have any helpful advice? I was hoping to finish this up this morning before it gets HOTTT. Thank you in advance!

 

Well, I think I have it figured out. I'm going to have to drill out the OEM spacers that go inside the OEM rubber bushings in the top mount so that they fit over the larger Cross coilover shaft. I cannot believe that Cross/JIC would not include new upper rear mounts for the amount you're paying. Even BC's come with new upper mounts.

 

The rear goes like this... start with the shaft - a washer - the aluminum hat, the spacer - a washer - the larger bushing - factory hat - small bushing - washer - nut

Should not need any drilling from my memory.

 

edit.. that spacer/bushing that goes in-between the rubber bushings (sorry) I don't remember drilling that.

 

On my (albeit cheapo) VMaxx's they call to throw that tube spacer out and just have the 'pillows' there. Shows similar install instructions on M7s website. I realize this is 1st gen section, but I think theyre similar

I have found that by doing that Ill have to torque the crap outta the strut bolt, or theyll be loose under load

http://www.m7tuning.com/techinfo/ins...7coilovers.pdf

 

I ended up drilling out the OEM spacer/sleeve inside the OEM rubber bushings to fit over the larger Cross shaft. It worked great and I don't have any play leaving out that piece. I still think it's a bit ridiculous that Cross/JIC utilizes the factory squishy rubber bushings. But, it's all installed now - my wheel gap is gone and I'm a happy camper.

 

Woohoo!! Congrats!!!

 

GOT PIC's?

I was going to go with the CROSS setup but, after alot of research and hearing different peoples opinions I decided to do KW V3's. I still like the CROSS design and if I ever buy another MINI I will be using them or simmilar, all because of how rediculasly LOW you can set them, and not be riding the bumpstops.

 

Spooled - Mini Madness offers a stiffer bushing set that replaces those rubber ones. Let me know if you decide to go that route and I can offer install advice on those. I just did them yesterday morning

 

The Koni Yellows dont come with the mentioned piece either.

And most of the aftermarket companies use the factory set-up.

IMO Be very cautious of the poly upper mounts, as they have been linked to causing extra "side-loading" on lowered Minis. There is an abundance of side-loading in factory form already and it becomes more apparent once lowered...

 

Thanks again OctaneGuy! The car feels so much better already, and I haven't even had an alignment yet. Doing that on Wednesday. I hope driving around without one eats these dang runflats quickly so I have a good reason to buy non-RF's.

Side loading, eh? Interesting. I suppose the stock rubber bushings allow the strut to articulate a bit, decreasing side load. I'll have to look into that. Thanks for the heads up.

****'s Garage - sorry, I did not take any pics. However, here is a decent pic I found. You can see the two factory rubber bushings sitting just above the strut. It looks like they replaced them with poly bushings in the pic. Anyway, there is a sleeve that goes inside them that fits over the strut shaft. I had to drill out the sleeve a little bigger to fit over the larger Cross shaft. I also had to drill out the OEM cupped washer to fit over the Cross shaft, but that was much easier since it's thin. None of it is hard, I just wasn't expecting it.

 

Glad you got everything sorted out! Like I said before I had the Crosses originally installed by MINICorsa and then removed by Motoring Magic so I never saw what was done for the install.

I really liked the ride of the Crosses. I bought some H&R Street Performance coilovers for my Clubman. I found they ride nice like the Crosses without the adjustability.

The ride difference from stock to Crosses is night and day and you will feel a similar improvement going from RF to non RF. It only gets better!