Suspension Springs, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Suspension Suspension upgrades?!

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Old Apr 4, 2010 | 03:19 PM
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bosfordjd
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3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Florida, Jacksonville
Suspension upgrades?!

Four and half years on the suspension is starting to feel some wear, not as tight as it used to be that's for sure. I was rotating my tires yesterday and noticed my front passenger side endlink has a little bend in it...seems like a perfectly good excuse to do as much of the suspension as I can. Any recommendations for replacements? I was primarily looking at the alta's and the TSW ones. Main difference I can see the alta's having the heim joint and the TSW having the greased ball sockets. There's also the NM endlinks, they use the 7075-T6 aluminum alloy, much stronger, but not sure if it's just way over engineered for the application considering no one else seems to use it.

While I'm doing that I'd also like to do the rear sway bar and rear control arms possibly. Sway bar have no idea which size I should really go with. Don't really plan on any serious amount of track time anytime in the near future, so I'm thinking 19. Want to keep some understeer as a daily drive, but a 22 on softest setting would probably still accomplish that. Brand recommendations would be appreciated, H Sport, Alta, etc. Am I going to see any real world benefit on the control arms vs just changing to powerflex bushings? Both front and rear. And anyone know that the special tool to remove the stock bushings up front is? I can get access to a shop press if needed, but want to make sure I got whatever else is needed.

Finally I'm thinking coilovers or should I just go new shocks and springs, or just springs? I'm not particularly looking to go much lower due to the speed bumps I encounter everyday at work and my own drive way, maybe .5"-.75" all the way around at most. Don't particularly need the adjustability many of the coilovers have. I'd like to maintain ride quality and keep NVH down while getting the roll under control a bit. I'm also slightly concerned with load, don't wanna rub the whole time if I have 3 passengers, under spirited cornering a little rub I'm ok with. Looking for any recommendations.

Also anyone know if TSW is still making the engine damper? Doesn't appear on their site anymore, just replacment parts.
 
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