2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Tire wear

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by fngolfer, Mar 20, 2013.

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  1. fngolfer

    fngolfer Active Member

    Apr 1, 2012
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    6 months ago I rotated my new tires and noticed that the front right wore the most and figured it was because it does most of the work. (No LSD) I rotated them again today after 8000 miles and noticed that now the front right has the MOST tread left. Mostly normal commuting and a few canyons. Anyone know why? Am I right about the front right doing all the pulling?
     
  2. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    Jan 5, 2010
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    :cornut: I don't know which wheel is the primary drive wheel but I'd say that 8kmi ago, you were driving differently than you have been over the last 8kmi. Have you changed your motoring route(if it's a daily driver)? Were you autocrossing then and not now? Did you change residences? Was someone else also driving your MINI? Something has changed.:Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  3. fngolfer

    fngolfer Active Member

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    Nothing changed. I'm the only driver and no auto crossing. Oh I did install a sway bar last month. I imagine the first thing any driver does is test the body roll with it on. But I got over that fast. I am curious which side is the drive wheel.
     
  4. Wellzy

    Wellzy New Member

    Jan 18, 2011
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    Alinement is out. With an open diff the tire with the least traction or most torq will be the tire spinning. In a turn the wheel on the inside will brake traction first since the open diff puts more torq to that wheel. There is no such thing as a primary drive wheel. If both wheels have them same traction then they will both pull as hard, just this does not happen in the real world often.
     
  5. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

    Jun 24, 2009
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    Basically it can be said that with an open diff, the torque will take the path of least resistance.
     
  6. Wellzy

    Wellzy New Member

    Jan 18, 2011
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    ^^^what he said.
     
  7. fngolfer

    fngolfer Active Member

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    Does this mean that on level ground in a straight line, both front wheels are pulling the car? If I drop the clutch with some revs, I'll see 2 strips of rubber?
     
  8. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    Dec 17, 2009
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    Both wheels are always pulling the car. That's what the differential does. In the case of unloading wheels in turns or low traction the torque travels to the path of least resistance.

    Drop clutch burn out on flat ground? No, you'll see one. Whichever side has the short axle. Driver's side IIRC.
     
  9. fngolfer

    fngolfer Active Member

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    Good to know. Thanks all. Alignment time I guess.
     
  10. fngolfer

    fngolfer Active Member

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    Hey Redbeard, would you know the optimal alignment specs as far as toe in or out on a R56 with a 1.4 inch drop for a daily driver? I figure since you track your car you've experimented and found some combo that works best for certain applications.
     
  11. Wellzy

    Wellzy New Member

    Jan 18, 2011
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    Toe out front .05 camber -1.5 to -2.
    Rear toe in .05 camber -.05

    That works pretty well.
     
  12. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

    Jun 24, 2009
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    Dang that's tame Wellzy, yours likes more than that... ;)
     
  13. Wellzy

    Wellzy New Member

    Jan 18, 2011
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    I normal run a pretty tame alinement with all the high way miles I out on a car.
     

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