I just installed Randy's swaybar on my MCS.GREAT improvement.My dealer insists that I should have the car aligned after the install.Has anyone checked their alignment after installing the swaybar?
On another note,the swaybar took two of us 2 1/2 hours with a lift,and every possible tool.Randy maintains it can be done in 1 1/2 hours without a lift.However Randy's wife complains he's quick at everything.

 

I didn't do the alignment after the sway bar. Should I have? I looked into it at a local tire dealer and they told me their alignment machine didn't have the specs for a MINI, so they could do the alignment, but it would have to be calibrated by hand. Does this mean alignment is a dealer job? I actually forgot about the whole thing as the car doesn't seem to be out of alignment, but now you got me worried that I might be wearing my new expensive S-03 Pole Positions unevenly.

 

I highly recommend an alignment after doing the rear and/or front bar. This is due to the fact that you are loosening the subframe in order to install the units and you are almost certain to reinstall the subframe in a slightly different position...thus changing alignment. A good alignment will also give you piece of mind knowing that you are setting a good baseline to continue your suspension development.

Mark

 

Mark, would you recommend a dealer alignment or the above mentioned tire shop? Or should I call around and find someone else whose alignment machine does have the correct MINI calibrations?

 

Harmini - my cousin with the WRX told me there's a shop on Rt. 22 that lots of performance nuts take their cars to for alignment issues. I'll see what I can find out for you. You may also want to ask Eric regarding it..

BTW, how ARE those Pole Positions??? man, I'm jealous

 

Look around and find out who the people with performance oriented cars take their cars to. Alignments are essentially the following adjustments:

- Caster
- Toe
- Camber
- and insuring that front and rear track are in sync

With stock suspension you can't change camber and there isn't much reason to adjust caster so all you really have to focus on is toe and track. Any good shop can do this without have MINI specs and should also be able to explain the tradeoffs with certain alignments such as running a little toe-out front and rear and its effect on tread life.

Mark

 

>>Look around and find out who the people with performance oriented cars take their cars to. Alignments are essentially the following adjustments:
>>
>>- Caster
>>- Toe
>>- Camber
>>- and insuring that front and rear track are in sync
>>
>>With stock suspension you can't change camber and there isn't much reason to adjust caster so all you really have to focus on is toe and track. Any good shop can do this without have MINI specs and should also be able to explain the tradeoffs with certain alignments such as running a little toe-out front and rear and its effect on tread life.
>>
>>Mark

A word on alignments- see
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...amp;topic=9726
If you do just the rear swaybar, Randy usually says you don't really need to adjust anything and I would agree.
I started with just the rear swaybar and it did fine, I took my MCS to the track and did OK, no problems. No alignment.
Then I added springs and control arms in the rear-a pair. Then I really needed alignment- but not by a regular tire shop but by a brake and alignment specialist- they had the right equiptment rack to do the job.

So you can do alignment after rear swaybar install but it might be better to ask yourself how much more suspension upgrading do you plan to do. If you want to do the front swaybar, springs, control arms etc then you might wait until you have done all of the parts changes then do the alignment. Or you will be needing alignment more than once. Rough cost about 90 minutes or more of work about about $60 per hour labor rate.

When done right the alignment makes a big difference, much better for the tires and performance is excellent again.

 

I did the rear bar in about 1 1/2 hour on jack stands, with my daughter as assistant. Not to bad a job. Alignment should not be needed as there are no sloted fasteners involved. As long as everything tightens back up in the original locations, and there is no reason it should not, then the alignment will be just as before.

Wes

 

>>I did the rear bar in about 1 1/2 hour on jack stands, with my daughter as assistant. Not to bad a job. Alignment should not be needed as there are no sloted fasteners involved. As long as everything tightens back up in the original locations, and there is no reason it should not, then the alignment will be just as before.
>>
>>Wes



Exactamundo! An alignment is NOT needed after the rear sway install. You are removing the suspension and unbolting the subframe, but each bolt only just fits it's hole....the holes are not eliptical allowing for adjustment. So unless it was out of adjustment prior to your work, the install isn't going to necessatate the alignment.

R

 

I was told the same, and do agree, with a minor exception...

When installing the bar (Madness), the bushing bolt "holes" are slotted (not circular), I believe. I think the directions even state to move the bar as far forward as possible, then cinch her down (the bushing clamps).

Careful inspection aftwards of the drop-link positions in relation to the center of the wheel/tire (degree of verticality) can be off when comparing the two. That is, one drop-link can be right at 12 o'clock, and the other between 11 and 12. The impact of this I don't truly know, but it is possible...

This has concerned me a little...

 

Thanks guys. I will follow up with a call to Helix and dandp, if you could find out the name of the Rt 22 shop, this might be good for future jobs that don't need Eric's expertise. The S-03s handle fantastic and they look great too.

 

>>>Randy's wife complains he's quick at everything.



oh my

 

>>>>>Randy's wife complains he's quick at everything.
>>
>>
>>
>> :evil: