I’m going to install coil overs this weekend.I’m only dropping the car an inch or 2. Do i need adjustable control arms? I know the camber will be a little off. But will it be negligible?

TIA!

 

Yes, I had to do that to get into alignment on my R58 with coilovers lowered. Otherwise you will tear up tires like crazy and wear the inside more then it already does,

 

thanks. Any recommendations that won’t break the bank? Anything I should stay away from?

thanks

 

I have hotchkis h-sport and they work great. price not too bad https://www.waymotorworks.com/h-spor...ber-links.html

 

thanks! How often do u need to lube them? Do I need to worry about squeaking? Constant squeaking will drive me crazy

 

I have the godspeed ones which are ok.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2007-.../Control_Arm/4

NM and M7 ones are made better and look better. Hotchkis has the adjustments towards the inside verse at the ends. Some people like that as its easier to get the wench in the middle if you set it on the ground or alignment machine.

 

do u adjust them regularly? I was under the assumption I’d have the wheels aligned at a shop. And then never touch them again. Until the next alignment.

 

Nope its set and done, but what some people do is align it and then when they do a track day they mess with them and do adjustment before the track to get more aggressive. Then go back. I have seen people mess with the back and the front camber on many track days. Some people do smart strings and set up from track.

 

thanks. Appreciate the help. I’ll never track the car. It’s more for fun weekend runs. After looking more into these. My main concern is the squeaking. That would drive me nuts.

 

I'd recommend Ireland Engineering. I've been using them for years and I love them. I can't comment on the squeaking because even if they did, I wouldn't notice. You should also get adjustable front and rear end links. You are going to need ones that are shorter than the stock ones, so go with adjustable.

 

OMG. What a rabbit hole I’ve started down. Lol. Ok. I’ll need to look into end links now. Do end link affect the alignment. Or just the sway bars? This is starting to feel like a multi step process. Lol. I’m going to have to do this in stages.

 

Good question, I haven't heard any squeaking yet after 10k miles on my car (prev owner had them for 40k or so) so i would say rarely

 

They only effect the sway bars, and allow you to adjust preload. However, as I understand it, if they are too long you run the risk of upsetting the balance of the car by having too much preload on the sway bar or possibly snapping the end link. They may not be 100% necessary, but you should consider the upgrade.

It really is a rabbit hole. Each mod has a positive effect and a potentially negative effect somewhere else.

 

If I understand correctly, the adjustable end links allow you to remove any load on the sway bar when not turning because you have lowered the car. So it doesn't really have to do with the alignment of the tires, but will prevent unexpected handling changes.

 

Thanks for everyone’s help and advise. I already ordered the coil overs. They’ll be here tomorrow. I’ll start with those and then add the control arm next time. AND THEN possibly the end links. Lol. When i lowered my 1990 integra I don’t remember all the extra **** involved. Or being young and dumb i just didn’t care. Lol.

 

Depending on how low you go, might not NEED to add the arms. Some cars can get the camber adjusted within spec with the OEM adjusters. If you can get the rear dialed in at -2° or less, you should be good. The GP2 is almost an inch lower than the S, and the rear spec is -2.25° ± 0.25

Make sure camber is the same right to left, and get the toe into spec and even from right to left.

 

thanks. Good to know. I’ll get it aligned after and see where I sit.

 

YES you need adjustable rear lower control arms if you are lowering your MINI. This is the only way to get the rear camber and toe back in alignment so you don't eat up the tires.
We ONLY use and recommend the Hsport arms as they are the only ones we never have issues with making noise or failing.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/h-spor...ber-links.html

Links with heim joints end up wearing quickly and clunking and rattling, and if they are loose enough to make noise, that means the alignment is changing with their movement. Other links with bushings we see them wear out quickly. But another thing people often don't realize the Hsport adjustment being in the middle makes them soooo much easier to adjust and tighten up. When the lock nuts are on the ends the inner one is much harder to get tight and make sure the link is square. Just ask an alignment guy that has aligned cars with both as they hate having to do the inners.

As for sway bar end links you only need them if you are corner weighting the car or you are going to slam it on the ground. Otherwise your stock end links will be fine to continue to use.
If you do want adjustable ones to dial it in we offer them, but I'm not going to tell you must have them just to sell em.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-ad...-endlinks.html

 

Thanks. I’ll add these to next months mods. How often will i need to lube the control arms?

 

Ok. I ordered those control arms/links. What type of grease should i use? Do they come with any? I should be getting them today.

thanks

 

My $.02 : I've also had good luck with HSport lower control arms....lots of miles with zero problems. Tried another brand and they lasted about 5,000 miles.

I would not do the adjustable end links, as Way and others recommend. It sounds like you don't need them, and I've tried some (NM, Alta, and others) that started making a helluva racket after a few thousand miles.