I just took my car to the dealer because the AC does not blow cold air. My car is lowered on NM springs and they are saying that i need 2 AC lines because whoever lowered my car did not check the clearance of the lines which caused them to break. They quoted me at $727 for them to fix it...any advice?

 

Yes. Buy new lines and install jcw springs and new bumpstops.

 

What would a solution be while keeping my NM springs?

 

none or have custom lines made.

 

Thanks for your help. Does anyone else have any experience with this?

 

I'm not sure if 2009R56JCW is being sarcastic since over the Internet, it's difficult to differentiate.

For what it's worth, I installed M7 springs by myself on my car, and I have never heard of such a thing where A/C lines will break. I can imagine the brake lines snapping, but not A/C lines. Perhaps the design is different on R56?

 

there are lots of R56 out there with NM setups and this whole thing sounds fishy to me more like the dealer is trying to find a way out of warranty work. I would have them prove to you that is the problem an also take it to another dealer and have them check it as well.

it just sounds to much like the old "We will not work on your car if its modified BS"

 

No, it's a problem that happens on some MINI's. The AC lines become very close to the front sway bar and axle when lowered. Some MINIs seem to have less clearance than others and it can lead to damaging, denting, kinking, or snapping the AC lines.

I'm surprised that springs as conservative as NM would cause the problem, but every MINI has its own clearance tolerances I guess.

Just move the lines up out of the way.

 

I was thinking the same Schatzy but had no idea how to back up my argument that it should be covered since I did lower the car.

Rally, do you think I should just take the car to a trusted mechanic, since the lines are already broken, rather than continue trying to get the dealer to do it under warranty?

 

..

 

I am in the same boat and will remove the nm springs and install jcw springs with new bumpstops and hope for the best.

 

I never tried myself, but as long as you are aware of the issue, it should be possible to bend, tie, or otherwise make sure that rubbing is not possible. This happens because people don't know to look for clearance in the first place.

 

That seems like an expensive and timely fix to an otherwise simple-to-solve problem.

Why buy new springs and bumpstops when you could just move the AC lines out of harms way? It's just a matter of clearance and is not a problem related to your spring choice.

I have my car lowered 6 inches and it clears the AC lines just fine. One should always ensure that they have clearance when altering suspension, steering, and drivetrain parts.

 

Im soon to get coilovers, is it just a matter of zip tieing them higher out of the way? Im not slamming but just want a few inches lower like 1.5-2"

 

...glad I saw this thread....just yesterday I ordered a set of NM springs, and anxiously awaiting their arrival so as to finally get rid of at least a little bit of my embarrasing wheel gap.

..I've been reading up on lowering in general...but this is the 1st info I've seen about any AC line issues, certainly don't want that kind of problem...I'll definitely be looking out for any thing that looks like it could be too close.

..so, is it more of a gradual wear/rubbing thing that can cause it...wheel at full turn or something?

OP - how long had car been lowered...till this finally resulted?
J

 

How low can you go before you have to worry about this? Thinking about dropping ~1.4" with H&R's soon but I don't need any expensive problems, I'd rather have wheel gap.

 

1. it looks like you have a first gen and I dont believe the AC lines are routed in the same way. This discussion is about second gen cars.

2. I'm dropped 6" and didn't have any issues. It seems to be totally different between different cars. Just check your car when you have it lifted up and have the wheel off. If it rubs, move it.

 

Its been lowered for over a year now. I only noticed the problem a couple of weeks ago but I rarely use the AC so I have no idea when it was caused. I wouldn't not lower the car just make sure you check the clearance carefully.

 

Another point is you can buy those hoses and replace them yourself, then just charge it with a can or have a pro charge it. Still be much less money..

 

I've been dropped over 5" for 20K miles with no issues, but I'll definitely take a look at those lines just as a precaution. The last thing I would want is to lose my refrigerant in +100F weather.

JCarlos914, hit me up if you need a professional opinion on the matter. I'm usually in Manhattan during the week and I wouldn't mind helping out.

 

I have less than 5" ground clearance on my R50 with stock ride height.
I'd think if I dropped the suspension 6", my chassis would be on
the ground and the tread of my tires would be 1" above the road!

 

Nope, I've dropped my car 6" and have about a quarter inch before laying the subframe bolts on the ground.

 

I'm with you Cristo, my car at stock height didn't have 5 inches to loose. I measured 3 1/2 inches on the sides when looking for jack solutions. Granted it was the sport suspension with 100K miles and not stock size runflats, so maybe it was lower than new.

 

Yea man its been pretty brutal here in NY without the AC lol. Thanks for the help I'm gonna check it out with a good mechanic my friend told me about around my way and I'll post the outcome...

 

Well now, since we've deviated from the topic....with my 5" of drop I still have 1" or so of clearance under the subframe bolts. I'm pretty sure the R50/53's have a lower stock ride height.