R56 Run Flat Tires Question
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5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
From: Dardanelle, AR
Run Flat Tires Question
I could've put this in the other thread but thought it'd be easier to keep the two issues separate. I took my Mini by my family mechanic this evening to let him have a look at it. He's never seen these cars before - thankfully I have quite a warranty time period for him to learn about it before he'll ever have to touch it! As he was checking out the tires (16" Run Flats), he said I needed to call the dealership because my alignment was off. He said that the tires felt "feathered toward the outer edges, which is caused by the car being out of alignment." I'm no car expert so I kind of have to go by what he says. However, he's not familiar with Run Flats. He had me feel the tires and feel the ups and downs that supposedly aren't supposed to be there. I'm thinking that, with as responsive as the car's steering is, I would know if the alignment was that badly off. Wouldn't I? I mean, a slight nudge on the steering wheel gets the car cornering on a dime.
So, before I call the dealership and schedule another 3+ hr trip to Memphis to get the alignment checked, is that "feathering" sometime innate with Run Flats, or does he have a valid point?
So, before I call the dealership and schedule another 3+ hr trip to Memphis to get the alignment checked, is that "feathering" sometime innate with Run Flats, or does he have a valid point?
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
Car is probably fine, but what about mileage??
You don't mention how many miles you have on the car, but I'm betting there is NOTHING wrong with your Mini as it is. You say it feels ok when you drive it. Are you over 5k? have you rotated the tires IF you are over 5k? 3 hour trip and all, I'd want to be SURE there was a problem before I left on that ride.
I could've put this in the other thread but thought it'd be easier to keep the two issues separate. I took my Mini by my family mechanic this evening to let him have a look at it. He's never seen these cars before - thankfully I have quite a warranty time period for him to learn about it before he'll ever have to
touch it! As he was checking out the tires (16" Run Flats), he said I needed to call the dealership because my alignment was off. He said that the tires felt "feathered toward the outer edges, which is caused by the car being out of alignment." I'm no car expert so I kind of have to go by what he says. However, he's not familiar with Run Flats. He had me feel the tires and feel the ups and downs that supposedly aren't supposed to be there. I'm thinking that, with as responsive as the car's steering is, I would know if the alignment was that badly off. Wouldn't I? I mean, a slight nudge on the steering wheel gets the car cornering on a dime.
touch it! As he was checking out the tires (16" Run Flats), he said I needed to call the dealership because my alignment was off. He said that the tires felt "feathered toward the outer edges, which is caused by the car being out of alignment." I'm no car expert so I kind of have to go by what he says. However, he's not familiar with Run Flats. He had me feel the tires and feel the ups and downs that supposedly aren't supposed to be there. I'm thinking that, with as responsive as the car's steering is, I would know if the alignment was that badly off. Wouldn't I? I mean, a slight nudge on the steering wheel gets the car cornering on a dime.
So, before I call the dealership and schedule another 3+ hr trip to Memphis to get the alignment checked, is that "feathering" sometime innate with Run Flats, or does he have a valid point?
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 4
From: Paradise
You might not feel a wheel alignment problem if the wheels are toed in or out. You will only feel it if they pull one direction.
Check with your dealer. IIRC, alignment is only guaranteed for a certain number of miles. You may no longer be covered.
Even if you are, you might find it easier to take your car to a local tire place that you trust. If they don't have the R56 specs., take this with you:
Check with your dealer. IIRC, alignment is only guaranteed for a certain number of miles. You may no longer be covered.
Even if you are, you might find it easier to take your car to a local tire place that you trust. If they don't have the R56 specs., take this with you:
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
From: Dardanelle, AR
Robin, I think you might've left something out of your post. That, or my browser (Firefox) isn't showing it. Anyone else see something after "take this with you:"?
My car just now broke 1,000 miles, and I've had it since last Saturday. It had 198 mi on it when I pulled off the lot at the dealership. I'm going to wait and see if I feel a wobble before I take any drastic measures. When I hit 5k mi, I'll just have them check it at the dealership. If I feel something before then, my local shop can check it for $60, so that's not unreasonable.
My car just now broke 1,000 miles, and I've had it since last Saturday. It had 198 mi on it when I pulled off the lot at the dealership. I'm going to wait and see if I feel a wobble before I take any drastic measures. When I hit 5k mi, I'll just have them check it at the dealership. If I feel something before then, my local shop can check it for $60, so that's not unreasonable.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 10
There is a nice graphic with alignment data in the post before yours... here it is in text format
Front Axel:
Total Toe: 0 deg 12' + or - 5'
Camber -30' + or - 25'
Camber (difference between left/right max 30')
Toe angle difference: (difference between left/right max 30')
Toe with 20 deg lock on inside wheel: -1degree 49; + or - 30'
Caster: (difference between left/right max 30')
Caster with + or - 10 deg wheel lock: - -
Caster with + or - 20 deg wheel lock: - -
Front wheel displacement: 0 deg 15'
Max wheel lock inside wheel: approx 36 deg 48'
Max wheel lock outside wheel: approx 30 deg 35'
Rear Axel:
Camber: -1deg 45' + or - 20'
Camber (difference between left/right max 30')
Geometrical axis deviation: 0 deg + or - 10'
Front Axel:
Total Toe: 0 deg 12' + or - 5'
Camber -30' + or - 25'
Camber (difference between left/right max 30')
Toe angle difference: (difference between left/right max 30')
Toe with 20 deg lock on inside wheel: -1degree 49; + or - 30'
Caster: (difference between left/right max 30')
Caster with + or - 10 deg wheel lock: - -
Caster with + or - 20 deg wheel lock: - -
Front wheel displacement: 0 deg 15'
Max wheel lock inside wheel: approx 36 deg 48'
Max wheel lock outside wheel: approx 30 deg 35'
Rear Axel:
Camber: -1deg 45' + or - 20'
Camber (difference between left/right max 30')
Geometrical axis deviation: 0 deg + or - 10'
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