1st Gen R50 Cooper Strut Tower Reinforcement Plate

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by M1N1, Jan 5, 2014.

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  1. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    #1 M1N1, Jan 5, 2014
    I have a 2006 R50 Chili Red Cooper, with 39000 miles on the clock. No mods, apart from KN air filter. At the moment the strut towers are flat, with no sign of mushrooming. I have been thinking of adding strut tower reinforcement plates, but do not know which ones to buy. I have seen CravenSpeed/M7 plates @ about $140, and Atomic Autosports @ about $70. All seem to be well made from 6061 aluminium. Any one have any recommendations?
     
  2. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #2 Metalman, Jan 5, 2014
    Two birds with one stone.....
    IE fixed camber plates.... Have a very robust top plate.... In and of itself would fight "mushrooming" but from underneath..... With the much improved handling through added negative camber....:Thumbsup: Stocked by several of our good vendors....:D

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #3 Dave.0, Jan 5, 2014
    ^^^^. This or the M7 plates would work great.

    I have the Helix adj. camber plates from the bottom with M7 top strut plates and nothing is going to make my strut towers mushroom.
     
  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #4 Nathan, Jan 5, 2014
    I'm a fan of the Craven ones. I had them before I even started the site and they became a sponsor.

    Also have the Helix Adjustable Camber plates.
     
  5. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    #5 M1N1, Jan 5, 2014
    Thanks for the info. Next question. After fitting IE fixed camber plates, would I need to have an alignment check?
     
  6. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #6 Metalman, Jan 5, 2014
    ^^^Yup...
     
  7. Crashton

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    #7 Crashton, Jan 5, 2014
    Yes after installing those you will definitely need to have an alignment done. Adding those will cause your MINI to go toe-in. That will be corrected with an alignment. You will love the change & adding those plates will help the front tires wear better. :Thumbsup:
     
  8. Way Motor Works

    Way Motor Works New Member

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    #8 Way Motor Works, Jan 5, 2014
    We've installed all the different brands of strut tower plates and we found we like the Craven STD plates the best. They are easy to install and solid so they will prevent mushrooming.

    The IE fixed camber plates will also prevent mushrooming as they are about 3/16inch thick. But these will take more time to install and will require an alignment after install.
     
  9. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    #9 wmwny, Jan 5, 2014
    I've been more than satisfied with the M7 plates on my 2 R53s and my R50.:Thumbsup:
     
  10. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    #10 M1N1, Jan 6, 2014
    Many thanks for all of your input. Now I have to choose between just the Cravens, just the IE camber plates, or go with both.
     
  11. Crashton

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    #11 Crashton, Jan 6, 2014
    If you don't want to do camber plates the strut top plates do work. I have M7 plates & they kept my strut towers from mushrooming. I'm sure the Craven ones will do the same. The fact your MINI has 15 inch wheels helps. One word of caution do not over tighten the nuts holding the plates in place or you'll break the studs coming out of the strut.

    I'd recommend Outmotoring.

    Cravenspeed MINI Cooper Strut Tower Plates
     
  12. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    #12 mrntd, Jan 6, 2014
    Just to add to the confusion. MC Special has both reinforcement plates and fixed camber plates at a savings. Since you only have 39k mi your bearing should still be good. I have have the camber plates and they are great. http://www.mcspecial.net/
     
  13. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    #13 M1N1, Jan 6, 2014
    Crashton, Thanks for the input. I think that I am going to go with the Craven plates. WMW recommended those, and if they are good enough for Way to recommend, they must be good.
     
  14. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    #14 wmwny, Jan 6, 2014
    I bought two of my M7 sets from Way when he was selling M7 stuff. That said, I do not think the quality of the M7 STRPs has changed, even though Way is now supporting some other brand.

    I have IE fixed camber plates on one R53, plus a set of the M7 STRPs. On my other two MINIs I just have the M7 STRPs.
     
  15. Crashton

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    #15 Crashton, Jan 6, 2014
    They are a heck of a lot easier to install than the camber plates that's for sure. :D
     
  16. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #16 Metalman, Jan 6, 2014
    There..... Fixed it for you:D
     
  17. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #17 Crashton, Jan 6, 2014
    ^^^ True that, but it requires moar work. :D
     
  18. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #18 Metalman, Jan 6, 2014
    ^^^ And gets you moar fun....:D
     
  19. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    #19 M1N1, Jan 7, 2014
    Thanks for all of your info. Just one more question. What is the correct torque setting for the nuts that hold the plate in place (don't have a Bentley manual yet)?

    Just went outside to start my wife's Dodge (M1N1 is in the garage), and it is bloody cold out there. -13 actual air temp (NW Ohio). Can't go anywhere, under a level 3 snow emergency.
     
  20. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #20 Dave.0, Jan 7, 2014
    I looked in my Bentley Bible and it says 34Nm (25 Ft-lbs) Page 310-12 :Thumbsup:
     
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