Stock Problems/Issues Discussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Do I need an alignment? (symptoms)

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Old Jun 3, 2008 | 09:00 AM
  #1  
Xymox's Avatar
Xymox
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Do I need an alignment? (symptoms)

Symptoms:
  • The steering wheel's center seam is between 11 and 12 o'clock.
  • When coming to stops (stop light for instance) on crappy roads in the city I notice if I take my hands off the wheel the car pulls to the left.
  • On the highway, cruising along, the car will slowly, ever so slightly begins to favor the left.
Thoughts? 4 wheel alignment time?

TIA.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2008 | 09:31 AM
  #2  
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Capt_bj
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From: Melbourne, FL
good place to start

Originally Posted by Xymox
Symptoms:
  • The steering wheel's center seam is between 11 and 12 o'clock.
  • When coming to stops (stop light for instance) on crappy roads in the city I notice if I take my hands off the wheel the car pulls to the left.
  • On the highway, cruising along, the car will slowly, ever so slightly begins to favor the left.
Thoughts? 4 wheel alignment time?

TIA.
yep, sounds like a very reasonable place to start after eyeballing your wear on the fronts.....

be careful tho and ask around. not all alignment shops are created equal. great equipment in the hands of a poor operator can give you numbers that look good on paper but are actually meaningless and your ride could get worse.

finding a good alignment man is like finding a good dentist. hold on to 'em
 
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Old Jun 4, 2008 | 06:08 AM
  #3  
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Xymox
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Anyone else want to chime in? Also, toe/angle/specs for front/rear when I decide to take it in for an alignment this Summer?
 
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Old Jun 7, 2008 | 12:01 PM
  #4  
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Please?
 
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Old Jun 7, 2008 | 12:07 PM
  #5  
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Dr Obnxs
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Check tire pressures...

then find a really good alignement shop. REally, alignment settings for the performance oriented aren't a one size fits all. After you find a really good shop, talk to the tech that works on your car about how you want it to drive. The first one will be a "baseline" set up, and every year or so, talk about what you like or don't like, and he or she will read your tread wear, and you'll decide a way to go with the alignment specs. Make sure you get the same tech each time.

At the place I use, the same guy has been aligning my cars for about 10 years....

Matt
 
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Old Jun 10, 2008 | 07:29 PM
  #6  
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I'm looking for OEM/stock alignment specs (toe/angle/etc...)
 
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Old Jun 10, 2008 | 09:27 PM
  #7  
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Bunch of info. here. Sorta helpful: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=125235

If anyone cares.
 
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Old Jun 13, 2008 | 01:26 PM
  #8  
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Every shop will have the specs for the car. But one question, When you let go of the steering wheel.who's driving the car?
 
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Old Jun 13, 2008 | 06:03 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by techtipz
When you let go of the steering wheel.who's driving the car?

Your mom.
 
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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 01:27 AM
  #10  
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fwd ftw
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yuppp. lol. or it can b a contol arm or a bent linkage pin.
 
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