R50/53 Too much negative camber?
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Too much negative camber?
Hello,
I just noticed the inside edge of passenger rear was severely worn. When I looked at the car from behind I noticed that there was a lot of negative camber (on both sides). I looked at the springs and I noticed that they were dark green so I'm guessing that the ar H & R springs and the car is lowered slightly.
My questions are:
Is this an inherent by-product of lowering?
Is this too much neg. camber?
Would this neg. camber increase the car's tendency to follow ruts?
I'm thinking about putting stock springs back on the car. When I leave a driveway or go over a speed bump I am constantly scraping the front spoiler. Anybody want to share opinions of stock springs vs lowered springs? Do lowering springs make the ride harsher?
I think the car has plenty of sport in its stock config and I tend to like to keep things stock anyway.
Thanks in advance for you comments!
Robert
2005 PS MCS
(so far unnamed)
I just noticed the inside edge of passenger rear was severely worn. When I looked at the car from behind I noticed that there was a lot of negative camber (on both sides). I looked at the springs and I noticed that they were dark green so I'm guessing that the ar H & R springs and the car is lowered slightly.
My questions are:
Is this an inherent by-product of lowering?
Is this too much neg. camber?
Would this neg. camber increase the car's tendency to follow ruts?
I'm thinking about putting stock springs back on the car. When I leave a driveway or go over a speed bump I am constantly scraping the front spoiler. Anybody want to share opinions of stock springs vs lowered springs? Do lowering springs make the ride harsher?
I think the car has plenty of sport in its stock config and I tend to like to keep things stock anyway.
Thanks in advance for you comments!
Robert
2005 PS MCS
(so far unnamed)
When lowering the MINI your going to have more negative rear camber.From the looks of yours the camber doesn't really look off but the toe looks like it needs adjustment. For that you'll need a set of adjustable rear control arms.My recommendation would be just put the original springs back on,head to Firestone for their high tech alignment machine(they have lifetime alignment for 60-70 bucks) and call it a day.As you mentioned the MINI in stock form is sporty enough.
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From: Car Nut Since 1987, Owner Since Fall 2005, Vendor Since Fall 2007
it might be a Toe setting not the camber. Many people that install lowering springs don't get an alignment after, which is needed to make sure the toe setting is back to OEM. Bad toe setting is a tire eater. If you MINI was built in or after Jan 05 you have rear camber adjustment and should be able to get the toe and camber back to stock. Also note that front spoiler is an inch or more lower then most anything on the MINI.
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From: Car Nut Since 1987, Owner Since Fall 2005, Vendor Since Fall 2007
pre Jan 2005 built MINIs need aftermarket rear lower control arms, like this http://www.autoxcooper.com/tsw_suspension.html
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Toe Setting
So lowering can affect the toe in/out on the rear wheels? Are the control arms on an angle to the front/rear axis of the car-- I'm trying to visualize how lowering affects toe in/out.
Thanks!
Robert
Thanks!
Robert
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From: Car Nut Since 1987, Owner Since Fall 2005, Vendor Since Fall 2007
Once the new arms are installed you will need to get a 4 wheel alignment and if you are over 200 pounds TELL the shop YOU need to be in the MINI for the alignment. Our cars set with no weight will be off if someone over 200 pounds, like me, goes for a drive and since most of my miles are solo it saves tire wear.
Q&A
Hello,
I just noticed the inside edge of passenger rear was severely worn. When I looked at the car from behind I noticed that there was a lot of negative camber (on both sides). I looked at the springs and I noticed that they were dark green so I'm guessing that the ar H & R springs and the car is lowered slightly.
My questions are:
Is this an inherent by-product of lowering? Yes
Is this too much neg. camber? No and Yes. No, the probs you're not driving hard enough-just kidding. Yes, if they look like this: / \ it might be too much for the street (if not driven hard ) and the consequence you'll experience is uneven wear as you noted. You can correct with rear control arms, camber plates and a good alignment.
Would this neg. camber increase the car's tendency to follow ruts?
Yes, but the more likely culprit is the 17' or 18' wheels, run-flats, lower series tire, harder side walled tires and/or any combo of these.
I'm thinking about putting stock springs back on the car. When I leave a driveway or go over a speed bump I am constantly scraping the front spoiler. Anybody want to share opinions of stock springs vs lowered springs? Some people reccomend KONI FSD shocks with H-Sport springs, OEM MINI Sport Springs or just OEM MINI (non Sport) Springs. I'd reccomend FSDs with stock springs, but add a sway bar to reduce body roll.
Do lowering springs make the ride harsher? YES!!
I think the car has plenty of sport in its stock config and I tend to like to keep things stock anyway.
Thanks in advance for you comments!
Robert
2005 PS MCS
(so far unnamed)
I just noticed the inside edge of passenger rear was severely worn. When I looked at the car from behind I noticed that there was a lot of negative camber (on both sides). I looked at the springs and I noticed that they were dark green so I'm guessing that the ar H & R springs and the car is lowered slightly.
My questions are:
Is this an inherent by-product of lowering? Yes
Is this too much neg. camber? No and Yes. No, the probs you're not driving hard enough-just kidding. Yes, if they look like this: / \ it might be too much for the street (if not driven hard ) and the consequence you'll experience is uneven wear as you noted. You can correct with rear control arms, camber plates and a good alignment.
Would this neg. camber increase the car's tendency to follow ruts?
Yes, but the more likely culprit is the 17' or 18' wheels, run-flats, lower series tire, harder side walled tires and/or any combo of these.I'm thinking about putting stock springs back on the car. When I leave a driveway or go over a speed bump I am constantly scraping the front spoiler. Anybody want to share opinions of stock springs vs lowered springs? Some people reccomend KONI FSD shocks with H-Sport springs, OEM MINI Sport Springs or just OEM MINI (non Sport) Springs. I'd reccomend FSDs with stock springs, but add a sway bar to reduce body roll.
Do lowering springs make the ride harsher? YES!!
I think the car has plenty of sport in its stock config and I tend to like to keep things stock anyway.
Thanks in advance for you comments!
Robert
2005 PS MCS
(so far unnamed)
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