When I lowered my R55 with the NM springs I replaced my rear lower control arms with an adjustable set. It really helped to dial in the rear alignment to lessen tire wear.

Has anyone here had their suspension on long enough to experience any issues with tire wear in the rear? I am currently building my budget for modding my 2 day old ALL4 S. I need to know if I should add in another $450 for adjustable LCAs.

Anyone? Thanks

 

I'd budget but not spend. Instead I'd do the springs, and then measure the negative camber that results. Depending on that measurement I'd take the decision on the LCA option as a separate step. Unless you've some specific application in mind, I'd recommend that the rear camber remain within the range recommended by Mini.

FWIW I do run the LCA, but in my case it has to do with tuning the grip front to rear for balance during competition - not tire wear. The H&R coil overs left me with a fair bit of camber (~2 deg+) on the back end and I used the LCA to reduce that substantially to 1 so that the car would rotate properly.

Depending on your springs and the geometry you might find the change is not so dramatic as to require the LCA.

Anyone out there that can speak from direct experience, as opposed to translating from another chassis as I am doing here?

Cheers,

Charlie

 

I lowered mine at ~50,000 miles and did not have the adjustable rear control arms until ~75,000. The car behaved fine in my opinion but the rear tires wore unevenly and I went through a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE050 Pole Positions (Tread Wear Rating 280) in ~13,000 (while rotating every 5,000 miles). Since the installation of the adjustable rear control arms and a good alignment the tire wear is uniform on the rear.

 

Just installed the NM springs. I have 2.9+ neg camb.. I need to look into some control arms fast!

 

Get the HK sport arms. Good quality and reasonably priced.

 

Got a link?

 

...budget adjusted. thanks :(

 

If these will fit I'm going with SPC. A friend told me about them. I used them on my R55. They also go pretty cheap on ebay.

edit: it pays to hang on to old parts. I just went out the my garage and dug out my old R55's lower rear control arms. Approximately 21" center to center. My 2012 ALL4 S R60's lower rear control arms are also approximately 21" center to center; same arm ...PERFECT

edit: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...7610&_osacat=0

 

Check with Way at Way Motor Works to see if these control arms will work.

http://www.waymotorworks.com/h-sport...ber-links.html

FYI, you only need one set to correct the camber even though the car has four.

 

I took my All4 into MINI for an alignment after my NM springs settled and it was recommended I get something adjustable for the rear control arms. The stock isn't able to adjust to a correct camber position with the springs on.

I was looking at these from Alta, and wondered what people might think:

Alta Rear Control Arms

 

All of them are good, just make sure you get ones that allow adjustment without taking them off your car. One pain in the *** taking off your links to adjust for that extra 1/8 "

 

I just ordered these, $290 and free ship:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPC-REAR-CAM...2b720f&vxp=mtr

 

Is this only an issue for the All4 or will us "S" guys need a set of LCAs too?

 

probably both. As I said above I needed them on my lowered R55

 

Too bad. Do we need a R60-specific control arm, or will ones for the other models work for the regular (non-All4) R60? (You said your old one from the R55 fit, but you have an All4.)

NM makes some pretty nice titanium ones for the R56.

 

Do you mind sharing how much MINI charged for that? Did they adjust your fronts?

 

I'm sure this varies per MINI location, but MINI did the alignment adjustments for around $150.

 

Can we install R60 control arms on the CM?
I am looking at the H-Sport.

Alta Performance use the same part number for the CM and R60 so is it right to assume that they are the same?

 

I just ordered the H-Sport from WMW, once I get them on the car and things adjusted I'll give an update.

 

Perfect Waiting to hear the outcome and pull the trigger on nm springs and the H-Sports.

 

Ditto. Let us know, threar!

I'm at Discount Tire right now getting Hujan's new shoes on him. Lowering him is next on the to-do list.

 

getting my LCA's installed today! Happy 4th to me!

 

How'd it go? Updates? Pics? Rubbing?

 

Yes, looking forward to hearing more - who'd you have install them? What'd cost? I'm also looking at the Alta and H-Sport LCA offerings.

My springs still haven't arrived yet, but I'm getting anxious and wondering if I should buy the LCA's right away to install everything at the same time.

 

Sorry 1 Day late and getting them installed right now.. From the looks of things, it seems to going to fit perfectly for me. My car is blowing through the dampening of the rear shocks too quickly and by installing these and getting back to maybe a .5-.9 neg cam vs
-2.9 or more will solve the problem. One thing I can say, it seemed to raise the rear as it is on the racks getting aligned.

Here is the pic of the specialties products arms. Only reason why I picked them is:
1. Billet alum = light
2. easy adjustable
3. urethane bushings = quiet
4. +/- 4 degrees of adjustability

Ill give you more updates in about an hour, but I can say this is a must if you install any lowering kit more than .75" There is just too much going on to not justify it.
Well depending on your 19" wheel application

LiveStrong and Hujan, Alta's are nice, but didn't have them in stock and H-sport looks good, but no one can confirm if the R60 can use previous models.. This was the only 100% guaranty I could find.