I have looked up this information and have heard numerous different things. My NM springs should arrive today and I pan to install them myself, I've done suspension work on other cars and have done a rear sway bar on this one that involved removing the struts/springs. I have heard to do the alignment same day, after 100 miles, after 250 miles, and to not drive the car for 2-3 days and then go align it. I am wanting to make an alignment appointment to coincide with installing the springs as most shops are booked 2-5 days out with it being winter and people hitting curbs. Any help is appreciated thanks.

 

I would do the alignment within 50 miles or so. The toe will be out on the front end after the install, and toe is what wears out tires quickly.

At the alignment shop, I would have them max out the front negative camber. When you pull the struts out, you will see a plastic pin in the strut towers. Remove this pin and it will allow you to get more negative camber.

Did you pick up different bump stops? You may find the ride is pretty harsh with the stock struts, bump stops, and lowering springs. There is not much suspension travel in these cars. I hate to have you put this stuff in, then be frustrated if you don't get what you expect.

Have fun,
Mike

 

I am going to follow NM instructions to cut the stock springs in half.

Also why max out the negative camber?

 

Negative camber compensates for body roll in corners, and generally improves grip. From the factory, the MINI has about -.7 degrees, IIRC. You can get to about -1.5 with the free camber mod. At this point, you will not get significant tire wear. Rear camber from the factory is pretty high (I think 1.5-2.0 is the range).

With an adjustable rear bar, you can re-adjust after your alignment if the balance is not to your liking. Theoretically increasing front grip, but not changing rear grip, should slightly increase oversteer, which would require softening the RSB to compensate.

Mike

 

I am on the middle setting of my hsport competition rsb. So if say next Saturday u lower my car and then align it Monday I should be safe? Should I keep the rear in factory range but have them keep the front near -1.5?

 

That is what I would do (rear camber in factory range, front about -1.5). Don't be afraid to hit some bumps when driving with the new springs. This helps 'settle' the suspension so that it will be at proper ride height when aligning.

Some people have trouble when lowering their car: the rear camber goes too negative. That is why it is common for people to buy a set of adjustable rear control arms, in the event that some negative camber needs to be removed.

Mike

 

I didn't order camber arms yet, was going to see if whatever negative camber comes can be adjusted out. If not I will buy the arms. Thanks for the advice with the front camber I will have to do that. Would never have known about it.

 

If you get aligned within a few days of install you'll be fine, as long as you don't put a lot of miles on the car to potentially wear the tires prematurely.

I think you can only get to about -1.0 front camber by pulling the pin. However lowering the car will increase that a bit, and also you'll pick up camber in the rear. Rear camber is close to 0 stock as I recall.

I'm running -2.0 all around and the difference in handling is amazing.

 

Have not had my alignment checked in the 8 weeks I have owned the car, but just eyeballing the rear the camber is not 0 in the rear. I also have "larger" tires on it.