Suspension Brakes Camber?

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by Justa Jim, Jun 4, 2011.

Tags:
  1. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    I had TSW springs put on my car, took it to the dealer for an alinement, and was told that all wheels dialed in fine except the left front. My front camber is -1.16 (left) and -.15 (Right). Dealer simply said it was due to after market springs, which I'm having a very hard time buying. Any suggestions on what to do now to fix this?

    Jim
     
  2. Vollgas

    Vollgas New Member

    Dec 22, 2010
    157
    9
    0
    Ratings:
    +9 / 0 / -0
    Adjustable camber plates?
     
  3. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    Nope. OEM. :nonod:

    Jim
     
  4. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    This is most likely your answer Jim.
     
  5. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    If I have to I will, but why did the right side dial in and not the left? Same thing was done to both sides. The write up for TSW springs says that lower, rear control arms are needed because of camber, but not the front. Something about this just does not make sense to me. :nonod:

    Jim
     
  6. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,713
    7,659
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,913 / 1 / -0
    Jim....
    When the new springs were installed, the struts were pulled from the wheel hub assembly. Maybe when they were put back in, perhaps one of the struts didn't fully seat, and its sitting higher. One side having more camber one side having less. Just a thought with long distance diagnosis.
     
  7. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    Thanks MM, that is a thought. I asked, because I really am not familiar with the process. I just want to be smarter the next time then I am now. :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     
  8. oxtox

    oxtox New Member

    May 12, 2009
    52
    0
    0
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    +1

    there's plenty of room in there for the springs. agree, sounds like a strut issue.
     
  9. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    There is no camber adjustment on a MINI Jim. That is why adjustable camber plates have been suggested. Check all of the easy & cheap things first.
     
  10. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    Well, I really do not understand much of this, but thanks for the help. I'll figure something out and I can assure you, however, there will be no more modding. I'm done.

    Jim
     
  11. kent kanipe

    kent kanipe New Member

    Oct 21, 2010
    79
    17
    0
    Retired
    Corvallis, Oregon
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    jbewley, have a different shop take a look. I have the tsw springs on my 2011 MCS hardtop and have no problem. The guys who installed my springs took real pride that they had me set up to really scoot and handle. The car is great fun and the ride better than stock by far. Some here will tell me I must have camber plates and such. Perhaps they are correct, only time will tell. I am very happy at this point for what it is worth. Oh yes, this is a street car....

    Kent
     
  12. putterfarm

    putterfarm New Member

    May 18, 2009
    299
    8
    0
    Bum.
    Pittsfield, Pa.
    Ratings:
    +8 / 0 / -0
    Jim,
    I would check your strut towers for "mushrooming".

    Mark
     
  13. RonsMinnie

    RonsMinnie New Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Jul 28, 2009
    449
    5
    0
    Sugar Land, TX
    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
  14. Onasled Racing

    Onasled Racing New Member

    Jul 19, 2010
    172
    8
    0
    Ratings:
    +8 / 0 / -0
    Do note, that all minis come from the factory with unequal camber in the front. It has nothing to do with aftermarket springs. It's that way right out of the box. Don't sweat it.
     
  15. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

    May 6, 2009
    683
    159
    0
    Pipe Creek, Texas
    Ratings:
    +159 / 0 / -0
    A degree disparity in front camber is significant and more than tolerances allowed from the factory. The nubs RonsMinnie mentioned will only provide ~.4 degree per side change; it could be set in the ball park, but the post spring install amount is not right. Average measurement with the guide support pushed inward is -.8 degree.

    It could be the alignment tool is the problem. Stock front camber is -.5 degree, you will be able to see the difference you stated from the outside.

    Put the front on stands, remove the front wheels, look for differences between the two sides, if you don't see anything obvious, take a photo of the -.15 side strut at a profile, and under the top perch, plus a photo of the car from the front with wheels while on the ground. Then share the photos with the rest of us.
     
  16. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    I agree a little is OK, but Jim's MINI has a huge disparity. This is a strange mystery that I want to see the solution to. :popcorn:
     
  17. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    Interesting thought. Even the -.15 side is way more then you all say is possible to obtain, let alone the -1.16 side. It was done at the dealer, so the Tech not having a clue what they were doing is highly possible.

    Jim
     
  18. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    Just got back from Mach-V Motor Sports (Fastmini.net). Everything is fine now. Seems like the dealer was nowhere close to what the readings really were. They did manage to mess the Toe up badly in the rear. All is now adjusted correctly and my MINI feels happy again. :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     
  19. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,713
    7,659
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,913 / 1 / -0
    Soooooo... Did you climb back on the "Modding Wagon"?:D
     
  20. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    Well.............maybe just ONE more. :lol:

    Jim
     

Share This Page