R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 alignment

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Old Aug 9, 2013 | 06:00 AM
  #1  
mhopper49's Avatar
mhopper49
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alignment

Ok so I'm on the way to get an alignment. I just installed adjustable camber plates. What camber and toe should I have after the alignment. My car is lowered, I just want a factory set up. I am sick of eatting my rubber.
 
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Old Aug 9, 2013 | 07:55 AM
  #2  
GreekDrifter91's Avatar
GreekDrifter91
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From: CT
Originally Posted by minihune
The best place to ask this question is in

Suspension Forum
or
Wheels tires and brakes Forum

For a stock MINI MCS your rear camber is excessive. Did you lower your suspension? If so that is why you rear camber is that much. Normally rear camber should be about -1.0 to -2.0 degrees. Front camber is not adjustable and usually -0.5 degrees and doesn't change much with lowering.

Stock alignment for 2002-2006 MC or MCS
Front camber -0.9 to -0.1 degrees
Front toe 0.11 to 0.19 degrees or 1/8 to 3/16" toe in.
Rear camber -1.0 to -2.0 degrees
Rear toe 0.13 to 0.27 degrees or 1/8 to 1/4" toe in.

Toe settings will be toe in front and rear for stock.
Aggressive street settings would be-
Front zero toe to 1/16" toe out. Use 1/8" toe in for street use only.
Rear 1/16" toe in to zero toe. Use 1/8" toe in for street use.

Front camber -0.5 degrees
Rear camber about -1.0 to -1.5 degrees will be fine. More negative in the rear increases understeer.

Your model year MCS has a small adjuster at the bottom of the rear suspension to make camber a little adjustable.

Any alignment and brake specialist shop will have the stock specs for the MINI (usually the R50). You can set alignment to factory specs for street use only. Many times we do set alignment to more aggressive specs to help handling for track or autocross purposes. Tires will wear a little faster but not too bad if you don't drive more than 10,000 miles per year. If you do drive long commutes and more than 20,000 miles per year then factory specs would be best.

see
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=113001
Links on post #10
you can just ask them to do facory settings, they should be able to pull up the specs from there computer.
 
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Old Aug 9, 2013 | 07:57 AM
  #3  
GreekDrifter91's Avatar
GreekDrifter91
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: CT
more
Originally Posted by minihune
These settings are correct

From
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=108346

Stock alignment for 2002-2006 MC or MCS
Front camber -0.9 to -0.1 degrees
Front toe 0.11 to 0.19 degrees or 1/8 to 3/16" toe in.
Rear camber -1.0 to -2.0 degrees
Rear toe 0.13 to 0.27 degrees or 1/8 to 1/4" toe in.

Possible autocross alignment range
Front camber -2.0 to -3.0
Front toe 1/16" (-0.06 degrees) out to 1/8" (-0.12 degrees) out
Rear camber -1.0 to -1.6 (can be about 1 degree less negative than front)
Rear toe zero (zero degrees) to 1/16" (0.06 degrees) in

Read this
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=99227

More alignment discussion-
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=39834
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=109115

pmfranke,
-2.2* front camber -1.5* rear camber, toe .01 front 0 back , castor left front 4.9* castor right front 4.2* What do you run???

You can keep the settings how they are and get used to them first or-
Front camber can be as negative at -2.4 or -2.5 degrees but more negative means you are running on the inside edges of your tires when going straight.

Rear camber can be less negative if you want less understeer. Generally you want about 1 degree less negative in the rear compared to the fronts so -1.2 or -1.3 would make sense for you if you keep the fronts at -2.2.

Toe setting of .01 is same as zero toe. You have essentially zero toe front and rear which is fine. This is better for braking and accelerating but not as good for turn in response in cornering which we do a lot of with autocross.

For street use zero toe front and rear is good. Stock settings are toe in for both front and rear to help with understeer and safety. Toe out of 1/16" is a compromise towards more performance. More toe out will risk more tire wear.
Rear toe can be slightly toe in and be OK but not toe out.

There has been much discussion on alignment for the MINI for all types of driving. Do a search to find the threads. Many are in Racing forums or the suspension forum.
 
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Old Aug 9, 2013 | 12:50 PM
  #4  
mhopper49's Avatar
mhopper49
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2nd Gear
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Place just called me told me my tire rod ends were frozen. Is this just bull **** to get me to buy part off them
 
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Old Aug 9, 2013 | 12:54 PM
  #5  
GreekDrifter91's Avatar
GreekDrifter91
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: CT
probably yes, get the car home spray the hell out of them with pb blaster or some kind of penetrating lube, and spray through out the day. then work at them your self. then bring it back, they did it to me all the time when i had my jetta
 
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Old Aug 9, 2013 | 12:55 PM
  #6  
mrbean's Avatar
mrbean
5th Gear
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2003
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It happens. They can try hitting it with a torch to try and loosen them up, but mine were frozen beyond belief before I replaced them.
 
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