My front bumper was not removed for the alignment I had done after installing my springs at Steve's Auto Clinic.

 

>>>>>$129 ........ Remove bumper

Run away from that dealer fast, no need to remove bumper, if that's what they told you they are lying....

I usually pay $50-$60 for a 4 wheel allignment...

If you are in Los Angeles call me, and I will give you a name and number to a great place to get it done.

peter horvath
562-712-3270

 

>>My front bumper was not removed for the alignment I had done after installing my springs at Steve's Auto Clinic.

I wonder if it's because they're using different type of machines to do the alignment. In any case, $129 is a bit high, but that's from a MINI dealership. I'll call around to price shop.


_________________

 

Great thread. Try to find a shop that will let you sit in the car as they align it. With no weight the camber will be lower than when you sit in the car and you want equal camber left to right.
I have H&R springs in the garage and as soon as the Atwater Tour is done, I'm moving to STS, so I will be following these threads with great interest. H Stock suspension is a no-brainer but with variables I can really muck up a well engineered suspension.
What is the front and rear camber numbers with H&R springs?
Chris

 

FWD, my numbers were -1.3 in the front and -3 in the rear. If memory serves me right, I believe you have a Cooper, so your numbers might be a little bit more neutral b/c your car is lighter than the S. Hope this helps.

amir
_________________

'04 BRG/B S, stockified

 

dave - we're here so you don't get misled by people too.

 

Does anyone know what the rates are for the Alta springs? H-Sport publishes their spring rates. I'd like to see how the Alta ones compare.

Fred

 

I have the H sports and did NOT do any camber adjustment. I drive 'spiritedly' and autocross, and the wear on the rear tires is quite even. I also have the RDR 3 way adjustable rear sway bar.

This combination along with 215/45-17 Yoko AVS ES 100s on Prodrive P1 wheels has me first in STX in the central carolina region. I'm not planning to change anything.

Oh, and someone was told that going to larger wheels would necessitate an alignment. That is false. If the OVERALL tire and wheel diameter changes, then yes, some alignment changes will occur. When you go to a larger diameter wheel, you naturally go with a shorter sidewall tire, so that the overall diameter is the same. This won't require an alignment.

 

>>dave - we're here so you don't get misled by people too. :smile:

 

YellowMiniS, thanks for sharing your experience! :smile: I think camber will vary from car to car. I hope I'll have the same result as yours, so I don't have to pay for the additional cost of the control arms and alignment. I'll install the springs first and see.

Funny! Your NAM name is "YellowMiniS," yet your picture shows a BRG MINI.

 

>>Funny! Your NAM name is "YellowMiniS," yet your picture shows a BRG MINI.

 

yellowminiS- are you using the stiffest setting on your RDR? if so, are you
using aftermarket endlinks?

 

>>FWD, my numbers were -1.3 in the front and -3 in the rear. If memory serves me right, I believe you have a Cooper, so your numbers might be a little bit more neutral b/c your car is lighter than the S. Hope this helps.
>>
>>amir
>>_________________
>>
>>'04 BRG/B S, stockified

Thanks.

 

>>I wonder if it's because they're using different type of machines to do the alignment. In any case, $129 is a bit high, but that's from a MINI dealership. I'll call around to price shop.

Dave, I've had good luck with Dabney's near downtown Vancouver. They seem to really know what they are doing, and did a basic alignment on my Maxima for about $70 and some custom work on my old BMW for a very reasonable price. I'm sure there are good shops in Portland as well, but if you can't find them, I'd defanitly recommend Dabney.

Zamirz - I want your wheels These runflats need to wear out quicker so I can justify new wheels.

 

Mike, thanks for the suggestion! :smile:

 

well i just ordered H&R springs and H-Sport front and rear sway bars....

hopefully i will not need a camper correction kit.

Anyone with the same setup please chime in

I think I will get the springs installed first...or should install everything at once? Someone please guide me

Thanks,
-chris

 

>>I think I will get the springs installed first...or should install everything at once? Someone please guide me


_________________

 

I'd do it separately (a step at a time). The rear struts are easy to pull
down anyway during the swaybar install. :smile:

 

>>well i just ordered H&R springs and H-Sport front and rear sway bars....
>>
>>hopefully i will not need a camper correction kit.
>>
>>Anyone with the same setup please chime in
>>
>>I think I will get the springs installed first...or should install everything at once? Someone please guide me
>>
>>Thanks,
>>-chris


I can't comment on the H&R springs. I have H Sport springs, front and rear bars and rear camber control arms. The rear camber was off as a result of the installation of the springs. It took all of 5 minutes to dial in the right camber with the H sport camber control arms. I had everything installed at once. My car handles like a slot car on steroids! Good luck.

ftbt

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + Alta CAI + Unichip + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, X Drilled + Slotted Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytona Seats + Schroth Harness and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 CVT Cooper LY/W + Sport + 17" S Lites & Pirelii Euforias + Clear Bra

 

My 2004 BRG MCS is having the entire H sport Total Vehicle System suspension installed...

this is the springs, front and rear sway bars, front shock tower stiffener, front camber adjust, and rear lower control arms..

I get the car back on saturday..

i will try to send a report.. (if I can get out of the car :smile: )

 

>>My 2004 BRG MCS is having the entire H sport Total Vehicle System suspension installed...
>>
>>this is the springs, front and rear sway bars, front shock tower stiffener, front camber adjust, and rear lower control arms..
>>
>>I get the car back on saturday..
>>
>>i will try to send a report.. (if I can get out of the car :smile: )

Where did you buy from, and what was the price?

 

I want to thank all the NAM members who helped me with installation tips, especially Early_Apex for a helping hand with the install. The suggested 3-4 hrs installation acutally took both of us over 8 hrs to do. :smile:

Before lowering springs


After lowering springs


Side view


The rear drop is quite noticeable in this picture

 

dave, that's a really sweet-looking ride. i especially like how your exhaust tips are a bit more visible vs. the stock setup. all the more to display those great-looking slash tips.

 

Thanks! :smile:

_________________

 

Dave,
Your spring choice was excellent and the fit "perfect". How is the ride and what do you think?
Not bad at all, huh?? Hey, that's 8 hours of enjoyment on working on your MINI for the price of 4.
Plus you can say you did it yourself-that's priceless.

If you feel your ride and handling is fine as is then don't do alignment. Just rotate the wheels every 3000 miles or so and watch for wear.