Disclaimer: I have not even looked at the lower mounts on my new (to me) 2005 MCS.

I was wondering if anyone has developed a way to even out the front camber on the 1st gen Mini WITHOUT using camber plates to do so? IMO camber plates should be set the exact same way on each side, otherwise funky things happen to suspension geometry and the roll center. And i'm a sucker for a "perfect" alignment.

I also plan on going with IE fixed camber plates because i want the rubber and quality bearing and don't want more than 2 degrees of camber. I know my strut towers are at least a little deformed, so it's likely not even at the moment.

Since camber bolts are apparently not possible on the R53, there was some rumor the front subframe was "adjustable" in some way....any details?

Additonal side question: will the IE fixed plates "flatten" my already deformed strut towers or simply prevent any further deformation?

Thanks for the help!

- Andrew

 

Hello Andrew, The IE Fixed plates will NOT always, if ever, be the same side to side no matter what you do to the towers. They will also not "fix" the tower only help stop the deformation. A hammer and 2x4 will help get the towers flat again.

If you want a perfect alignment you will need adjustable plates. You can get the adjustables to most any setting you want by moving the bolts around on the top plate.

Welcome to the "give and take" of MINI ownership.

 

Any details or a thread on the hammer + 2x4 method?

I'll probably be giving you a call next week for those IE plates.

- Andrew

 

INSTRUCTIONS SEE PIC BELOW:

 

Dustin is right you will most likely end up with a slight variation L-R. On my car the IE fixed plates gave me 1.9-1.8. I see no issues with this. While not perfect it is much better than I had before the IE plate install.

Dustin, wow gotta hate that eye popping banner...

 

nice pic. so i just go "whack em mole" in my parking lot....hmmmm. i guess i'll do this after i put the plates in.

I'd be happy with a .1 difference side to side.

- Andrew

 

Your results may vary. I have about -1.9 on one side and about -1.6 on the other. Even that amount of difference is insignificant from a handling and tire wear perspective. Even on the track.