I just installed H & R springs on Friday. Now i feel a weird vibration in the front of the car from 1500 to 2500 rpm. I haven't done an alignment yet, but I don't think that's the problem. Any advise would be helpful.



2010 mini s

 

probably cv joints. mine does it too.

 

Brand new and CV's vibration? Is there a geometry problem here?

 

I think you need the alignment first.

 

I just bought the H&R Sport Springs through Alta and wanted to install them this coming weekend. So you have to get an alignment done first before installing these? Also, through who should i get the alignment done (please anyone suggestion except the Mini dealers)?

 

NO, after theyre in.


Mine has the vibration too... ive put about twenty-some thousand on them and its still there lol

 

Is it a strong vibration? I don't want my Mini shaking like crazy as I motor about town.

Also, did you do the alignment after the springs installed?

 

OP needs an alignment after the springs install. Do this before changing the CVs.

 

not really, just while accellerating in second gear. almost feels like an off-balanced wheel, though ive had many different wheels on there lol

i got it aligned after the install, yes

its hit or miss... seems to just depend on the car from what ive read

 

thank you iwashmycar (your screen name makes me laugh like crazy eveytime i look at it).

I'll get an alignment done as soon as installed too, it due regardless so I might as well mod it now and then align it, kills two bird with one Mini.

 

I had the same thing when I lowered mine. It had about 7k on it at the time. The 4 wheel alignment helped a little and now, it's got about 17k on it and I hardly notice it. From what I've seen in previous posts on the issue, it's because of the change in angle on the driveline. There are lots of 20, 30 and 50k plus lowered MINI's out there still running strong though.

 

I still am quite concerned that lowering an inch and a half is causing CV joint vibration issues. The very concept of a CV is... ready for this? CONSTANT velocity. Of course the are not, but just much better than a universal joint. If you get vibration at half the intended travel, there is something very wrong. Design wise.

Lets throw some theories out there:

#1 Phasing issue: Even CV joints should be in phase. Each ball should be lined up with the corresponding ball in the other end, just like a universal. The more ***** in the CV, the less sensitive it would be. I wonder if the splines are not keyed, so the amount of offset between a ball on the inner race and a ball on the outer race could vary. That would explain why some cars are worse than others. This would be an assembly procedure that does not matter at stock ride, but needs to be addressed when lowered.

#2 Exceeding permissible operating angle: Is the axle already offset a lot at stock ride height? Then the lowered stance cold be pushing the limits of prudent offset angle. This would have been a design compromise for the very tight packaging. Exaggerated by #1 above.

#3 BMW are morons. I seriously doubt this. But when brainstorming, one should always post all possible solutions.

 

^^^ #2 sounds most likely, and maybe there could be slight differences in clearances from car to car!??... I cant comprehend why it only affects 'some'

Ill be upgrading to coils soon so ill be able to see if anything differs especially at different angles. i want to go lower... gonna be pissed if it gets worse lol (seems likely)

 

Iwash, I think it is not wise to go too low on the coils, especially if you track the car.

 

Actually the MINI has a pretty nice axle angle and it takes a lot of lowering before the axle angle becomes as extreme as most other lowered cars. If you lower the car 1" or 1.5" like most springs and look under the car you'll see the axle angle is hardly outside the operating angle of the CV...especially when it's just sitting there uncompressed (i.e. not hitting a bump)

My car is lowered 6 inches, no vibrations (knock on wood) I'm still baffled by this since it seems to only be some cars and there's no noticeable pattern.

 

Do you have a pic of the angle, stock versus lowered? Thanks.

 

oh i know.. its probably also not wise to get VMaxx's either, especially if the car is tracked, but theres a good chance it wont be, as much as id like to lol...

just need another inch or so!

 

I don't, sorry.

 

Thanks for the help. Ill get the alignment done after I break in the springs. If the vibration continues I may take them off.

 

Thanks for the help. Ill get the alignment done after I break in the springs. If the vibration continues I may take them off.

 

I have this EXACT issue, first I've seen of others having it. My car is on an H&R Touring Cup Kit. Aligned after installation, no other issues (other than that I wish the kit were a bit more aggressive, but I digress). Alignment is definitely not the problem in my case. I've suspected something CV-related all along, but exactly what?

 

Kevin, have you looked at the CV phasing? How many ***** does the CV have?

 

How did you lower it 6 inches when there is not that much travel? The rear arms hit the body at about 4 even if it had no stop in the shock. It looks like there is only about 2 1/2 bump at any corner.

 

No, the stock rear arms hit the body at 6" , a little more if you remove the control arm bumpstop.

I'm running (extremely) shortened bilstein struts on all four corners, and custom machined upper mounts front and back to reduce stack height and increase travel. I'm not a fan of the limited travel on our cars in stock form, so I did quite a bit of work to remedy it to my liking.

 

3 on the outside CV.

(Edit: Now that I think about it, maybe I'm thinking of the inners)