2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Street Mods 2011 MCS Hardtop

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by kent kanipe, Jan 5, 2011.

  1. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

    Jun 12, 2009
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    Good catch. Yeah, the fronts don't gain much negative camber but the rears do when you lower the car. JCW springs apparently are exempt from this, btw - they don't lower the car enough.
     
  2. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

    Jun 14, 2009
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    Too bad 'cause the JCW sport springs are the set I have. How does one measure the angle anyways, surely not with my kids protractor? :rolleyes:
     
  3. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::cornut::cornut::cornut::cornut::cornut:
    I think that an alignment shop would have to do that for you but,there might be an easier way. Wait for one of hands on mechanical guys to come back up.:Thumbsup:
    Jason
     
  4. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    Have an iPhone? Download the Clinometer app and use a straight piece of wood across the wheel.

    [ame=http://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=284533]DIY Camber Gauge & Toe Alignment - Mitsubishi Lancer Register Forum[/ame]

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

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    That iPhone costs way more than my kids protractor. :eek6: Now that I know how it's being done, I'll see how I can improvise ;)
     
  6. AXO

    AXO New Member

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    BT that is definitely Cool!
     
  7. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    Ben, how about the TSW springs? Would they require an alinement?

    Jim
     
  8. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    Mine required an alignment and adjustable rear lower control arms when I installed TSW springs, yes.

    I think my rear camber was around -2.5 to -2.8. I could feel it on off-ramps - it felt like the rear end was stuck to the ground. It was cool because the car felt impossible to spin, but that just meant it was primed to understeer and plow. And after I got the car properly aligned, I could take the same off-ramp a few mph faster.
     
  9. david in germany

    david in germany New Member

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    After I installed my TSWs I had mine checked. All measured within factory specs and no adjustments were made.
    Did you have any issues prior to the TSW install?
     
  10. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    That makes me feel better. I am having them installed at MOTD, which is 9 hours (plus Dragon time) away from a alinement.


    Jim
     
  11. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    I have an R53 MCS with a sunroof and mine was out of spec. I don't know how that translates to R56, lighter R53 w/out sunroof, justacooper, etc. Talk to your installer.
     
  12. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    From everything I've read, the slotted holes at the top of the front strut only give you about an additional .5 degree of additional negative camber if you remove that white plastic nipple (since you don't have adjustable camber plates it should be rather close to factory spec's). Also, from what I understand, negative camber doesn't really affect tire wear all that much on the MINI.

    What kills the tire is toe in or toe out. Perhaps your installer at the Dragon could do a quick measurement on the toe in - toe out spec. and get it close for your drive back for a proper alignment (perhaps the string method)?

    String Alignment Method for Toe-In

    DIY Alignment - Stringing your car - Honda, Acura Tech Website, tutorials, tuning and HOW-TO's. Drag racing, street racing, road racing - C-speedracing.com
     
  13. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    Thanks. My guess is WMW will take good care of me. :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     

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