I am going to be installing my suspension parts this week which comprise of Koni's, H-Sport springs, H-Sport front and rear sway bars, Alta end links, and Alta upper and lower adjustable tie rods in the rear. Does anyone have any advice or bits of info that would make it easier. I have done it to Honda's and Acura's a dozen times, but never to a Mini. Any helpful tid bits of info, or don't forget's would be appreciated.

 

Be sure you lube the ramp arm CAD bushings properly.

 

lube all the joints really well with the supplied silcone lube. it will keep everything quite. other than that it really straight forward. if you need any help during the install give me a call. chad:smile:

 

What year is your Mini? 02s and earlier 03s can be difficult with the driver side front strut as the arm does not drop down as much as the passenger side. I used to work at getting the spring compressed to remove and install, but now just a few good kicks down onto the hub with the bottom of my foot and the strut pops out. Just don't unbolt the tops until you have the struts out's the hubs.

Front sway bar is rather tricky. Most here do not tackle that job and if they replace it, they usually have a shop do it. I believe it entails a lot of disconnecting of major things. I actually will be doing this in a couple of weeks, 'myself'.

When replacing your end links, leave one side, front and back, disconnected and loose for adjustment. Firmly connect the tops and leave the bottoms disconnected . Then lower your car to the ground, roll it back and forth to make sure the suspension is settled. Then try and reach under the car ( you may have to “roll” it up onto some 4x4s) to connect the two that you left disconnected and adjust them so there is no tension on them at all (PITA). Then tighten them down. You may want to repeat this in about 1000 miles.

Now get to the alignment shop!

 

I have an 03 MCS produced in Aug.

 

I haven't yet done the front sway, but will do so when I replace the front control arms. You might find this quite helpful:

http://www.webbmotorsports.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4

 

Onasled, LOVE that Video !!!!!!!!!!1 LOL

 

Thanks.
Here's another one from the same day that I did for a freind that was in the black Mini.
http://members.tripod.com/rcsail/Larry_JCW.wmv

 

Also remember to lenghten the front anti-roll bar links and shorten the rear by the amount you lower the car. I didn't and broke two of the rod ends.

Jim Williams

 

Hmmm .... don't see why this would have damaged your end links. I would bet that the majority of lowered Minis are using stock links and are not having any problems.

 

I have read the instructions from the manufacturer and they say to ensure the links are the same length as the stock links prior to replacement

 

mine's an 03 and it wasn't hard at all to get out/install the front driver side
strut.

 

Well, all I know is that after the first rod-end broke, Alta sent me another. I then re-installed the links at the stock length as per the instructions. Broke another one less than a week later. After I changed the length, I have had no further problems.
Jim

 

I have an email in to Alta inquiring if that the adjustment is needed

 

I think this is possibly a quality issue with the Alta links. Let me guess, it was the front ones and they broke at the bottom. I'll go further and say it was the driver side. Am I close?

 

Nope.... It was the rod-end that broke. Right upper. And the others were slightly bent.
Jim

 

I just spoke to a tech at Alta and he said that he remembers a problem with someone a while back who had installed the metal spacer incorrect. The larger portion of the spacer is supposed to rest against the part of the care while the smaller end of the metal spacer is suppposed to rest against the bearing.