I recently bought a 2008 mini cooper. I got it because it would not pass inspection and the P.O. did not want to spend the money to fix it. Ok because this is my hobby car. I have replaced the struts, strut bearings, inside and outside ball joints and the sway arm bushing with a poly bushing. Followed it all with a professional alignment During normal driving conditions it handles and drives great. under hard cornering it is on rails, BUT, under hard straight line acceleration it will dart left or right at higher RPM. It is just a small dart that corrects itself as soon as the pedal is released even the slightest bit. I have not seen any correlation to when it darts right or left. I have driven up through the RPM range with a less aggressive acceleration and it does not do this little It was there during the original test drive, and much more pronounced. I expected that the front end work would cure it, and it certainly lessened it. I have been all through the front and back suspension looking for any play in any suspension points with nothing obvious. I went back through my work and retorqued everything Any advice on what might be causing this?
You didn’t mention the front control arm bushings. Did they get replaced, too (preferably with the Powerflex versions)?
Front control arm bushings worn out will increase this, but I think you are describing torque steer, which is common with front drive cars. There will always be a little of that under hard acceleration. Is this an S model or justa Cooper? It will be more pronounced on the S with the turbo motor. When they did the alignment, did they put weight in the seats and in the boot? MINI requires this to get the alignment right.
Could be worn out LCA bushings. To me it sounds like that. Also what are the numbers from your alignment? Too much toe out can make the front end rather darty.
It sounds like you’ve addressed everything. I’m assuming tire pressures and wear patterns are ok. Just hold on to the steering wheel firmly when you stomp on the gas.
I would like to thank everyone who replied. I guess I just have to learn how to apply the power. Sure is fun learning!!!
I've read that MINI dealers have an Electronic Limited Slip program that utilizes the ABS system to apply the brakes to the left and right front brakes to limit torque steer. I've also read that dealers charge about $150 to program it in to your ABS.
It's been a few years since I read about it, but I remember that it was on MINIs with the 2011 facelift, but it could be programed on earlier series two cars.
I wonder how they changed the caster and camber...neither of those are adjustable on cars with stock suspension.
Ok I was wondering how the ELSD worked. I would prefer a real one. Maybe when its time for a new clutch on the Helmet