MINI2

forrest · Dec 23rd, 2002, 10:54 AM

I just received my Spax RSX580 coilover kit for the post 3/02 Cooper S.

The dealer tells me 6 hours to install, and 2 hours for a front end alignment - which includes removing the front fascia.

To anyone having lowering springs and/or coilovers installed - did you have a front end alignment done? Did they have to pull the front fascia? How many hours total were you billed for?

Davbret · Dec 23rd, 2002, 03:59 PM

If your dealership is saying you need to have the front facia removed and have car realigned after the coilovers are installed, they are really a "steal"-ership.

There is no reason to have car aligned after removing/reinstalling struts/springs/coilovers. You can completely remove all four struts and reinstall with no change in aligment.

I recently changed my stock setup to KW sport springs and MINI-Madness rear sway bar. I did this all myself, so I can completely verify that NO alignment is needed. The only "problem" per se, would be that since there is no rear camber adjustment, when you lower the car the rear has some negative camber. No big. You can buy spendy aftermarket adjustible rear camber arms, but of the 10+ MINIs I know with lowered suspensions, NONE are running the adjustible camber arm. Nor will I.

R

LuckyRVA · Dec 23rd, 2002, 04:13 PM

Davbret, do you have any more pics of your car...maybe a side angle or two?

Davbret · Dec 23rd, 2002, 04:35 PM

forrest · Dec 23rd, 2002, 05:22 PM

Davbret - thanks for the info. I have a set of adjustable rear control arms on order, and don't plan on installing the Spax until the rear arms show up, so it can be done at the same time.

Also ordered some hollow stabilizer bars (bars and adjustable rear arms are from h-sport, the import arm of Hotchkiss Suspension) to save a few pounds. They go into production February, so by late Feb I should be in good shape.

I got the distinct impression from the dealership they didn't want to do the work, so I guess I'll look for a quality shop instead.

This pig better cut a fine corner when I'm done with it - RH CP8R forged wheels and Toyo Proxes T1S tires are the last thing to change once the suspension's done.

gowest · Dec 28th, 2002, 10:30 AM

forrest, I just checked out the H-sport site, now I'm drooling but no prices and no contact number! Please PM, e-mail me or post here. Great sway bars, control arms and CAMBER PLATES!!!

forrest · Dec 29th, 2002, 11:52 AM

check your e-mail for the info...

Dec 23rd, 2002, 10:54 AM	#1
forrest MINI2 Newbie Join Date: May 2002 Location: Huntington Beach CA Local Time: 09:33 AM Posts: 25 Offline	Spax coilover install on MCS question I just received my Spax RSX580 coilover kit for the post 3/02 Cooper S. The dealer tells me 6 hours to install, and 2 hours for a front end alignment - which includes removing the front fascia. To anyone having lowering springs and/or coilovers installed - did you have a front end alignment done? Did they have to pull the front fascia? How many hours total were you billed for? forrest@mothers.com

Dec 23rd, 2002, 03:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Davbret MINI2 Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Portland OR Local Time: 06:33 AM Posts: 115 Offline	If your dealership is saying you need to have the front facia removed and have car realigned after the coilovers are installed, they are really a "steal"-ership. There is no reason to have car aligned after removing/reinstalling struts/springs/coilovers. You can completely remove all four struts and reinstall with no change in aligment. I recently changed my stock setup to KW sport springs and MINI-Madness rear sway bar. I did this all myself, so I can completely verify that NO alignment is needed. The only "problem" per se, would be that since there is no rear camber adjustment, when you lower the car the rear has some negative camber. No big. You can buy spendy aftermarket adjustible rear camber arms, but of the 10+ MINIs I know with lowered suspensions, NONE are running the adjustible camber arm. Nor will I. R Attached Thumbnails Dark Silver/Black MCS Premium and Cold Packages Space Cloth Homepage and Stereo Mods Last edited by Davbret : Dec 23rd, 2002 at 04:29 PM.

Dec 23rd, 2002, 04:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
LuckyRVA 1.6 Litres of fury!!!! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Queens, NYC Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 1,277 Offline	Davbret, do you have any more pics of your car...maybe a side angle or two? 2002 Dark Silver Cooper S w/ white roof. SOLD

Dec 23rd, 2002, 04:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Davbret MINI2 Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Portland OR Local Time: 06:33 AM Posts: 115 Offline	R Attached Thumbnails Dark Silver/Black MCS Premium and Cold Packages Space Cloth Homepage and Stereo Mods

Dec 23rd, 2002, 05:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
forrest MINI2 Newbie Join Date: May 2002 Location: Huntington Beach CA Local Time: 09:33 AM Posts: 25 Offline	Davbret - thanks for the info. I have a set of adjustable rear control arms on order, and don't plan on installing the Spax until the rear arms show up, so it can be done at the same time. Also ordered some hollow stabilizer bars (bars and adjustable rear arms are from h-sport, the import arm of Hotchkiss Suspension) to save a few pounds. They go into production February, so by late Feb I should be in good shape. I got the distinct impression from the dealership they didn't want to do the work, so I guess I'll look for a quality shop instead. This pig better cut a fine corner when I'm done with it - RH CP8R forged wheels and Toyo Proxes T1S tires are the last thing to change once the suspension's done. forrest@mothers.com

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Dec 28th, 2002, 10:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
gowest MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: Va. Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 208 Offline	forrest, I just checked out the H-sport site, now I'm drooling but no prices and no contact number! Please PM, e-mail me or post here. Great sway bars, control arms and CAMBER PLATES!!! 2001 & 2002 SCCA, STS Pro Solo National Champion. 2003 SCCA, Solo2 Nationals 8th, co-driver (Courtney) 2nd in 03 & 04 2003 JCW 210, London Stainless Headers, custom cat back with 5" SuperTrapp, 15x7.5 SSR's and 16x8 ce28n's, Quaife, KW Comp 2 Ways

Dec 29th, 2002, 11:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
forrest MINI2 Newbie Join Date: May 2002 Location: Huntington Beach CA Local Time: 09:33 AM Posts: 25 Offline	GW... check your e-mail for the info... forrest@mothers.com

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