I removed the steering stops from the GPs front steering arms which decresed the turning diameter by 3 feet. The turning diameter went from 34 ft to 31 ft. I am very happy with the reduced turning diameter. The 5.3mm spacers are located on each arm where the arm connects to the steering rack. You have to move the boot out of the way and then remove the tie-rod arm at the inside connection point (where it screws into the end of the steering rack). Once the end is removed the spacer slips right off. The whole arm does not need to be removed.
Any clue why it was there? on my Mustang when those aren't in place, you can turn the car far enough to hear a bunch of not good grinding sounds..... If you have good clearence everywhere, that's a cool mod and cheap too! 3' is a nice reduction... Matt
Just curious, why would MINI put those stops in there anyway? Seems like if a 3' reduction was built in why not make it available for a car that is known for "Go Kart Handling"? Are they there to prevent the stresses put on the CV joint that might be experienced during too tight a turn?
From what I've read they put it on for all cars delivered with 18's from the factory. They were probably just worried about wheel clearances while turning, but people say that they still experience no rubbing when removed.
If you remove the steering stop, you will probably need a front end alignment. The front toe was way off, on my car, after removing the stop because I did not do a good job getting the tie rods adjusted after having them disconnected at the steering rack.