[ModoMini]

Ok, for those who did not know, I have installed these on my Mini. I recently upgraded both tires and wheels and have noticed a problem. First there was some tire rub right after I got the new tires in size 215/45/17. It was not bad and was just on the wheel well liner. Then, I picked up a new set of wheels in size 17" x 7.5". Still rubbing but a little worse. Next I took the family out for morning breakfast in the Mini. (Major rubbing!) "Ok", I thought, "It will go away after I unload their heavy carcasses out of my poor Mini" Not. Car started riding like there were no springs in the rear and tires were attempting to shred themselves on the outside edges. "Not good", I thought. To get me by, I've added the screw in spring helpers to get the rear end back up to normal ride height.
Has anyone else had major settling like this on aftermarket springs? I don't want to use the spring helpers for too long as I've heard they can damage the springs as well. Is it perhaps because the rear was sprung too softly? It does seem to ride much better now with the stiffness added by the srping helpers.
Have a call into H&R but wanted to hear if anyone else had noticed that "sinking feeling" in the rear of their Mini.

p.s. Forgot to add the weights of those riding in the Mini;
182lbs
165lbs
130lbs
110lbs
Not really a lot of weight when you think about it.

[SnakePhil]

Hi!

I think the problem are your tyres. They are too wide. You need to make your car "wider", too (dont know the right word).

I have 205ers with the Cooper S wheels and my car is 30mm lower - it runs withput any problems, even fully loaded with 4 people.

Greetings from Germany,

Phil

[Loui]

Nah there are a few people on the site running cars with 215 wide tyres and i dont know of them having any problems.

[KLF]

Hi

I think your problem with rubbing is more the overall diameter of the 215/45/17 tyre, on the toyo website it says that size is 626mm! stock 205/45/17 are only 616mm so you have increased diameter by 10mm which would'nt help!
Other sizes to try are 215/40/17 (604mm)
and even 225/40/17 (612mm)although wider its a smaller diameter.
Mind you it won't help if the lowered springs are softer than stock!

hope this helps
Happy New Year

Chris

[ModoMini]

Agreed that the tires are an issue but they are not the "main" issue for which I'm checking here. The main problem I'm having is that the car has settled so much that the rubbing doesn't stop any longer after a load has been removed from the rear. It stops with the spacers added. But these are not a long term solution and in and of themselves will damage the springs as well. It is my firm belief that the load rating of the H&R springs is too soft and has allowed the springs to compress to the point that the car sits "tail down" as if it's fully loaded when there is nothing in the rear.
H&R believes I should first check the shocks (expected that one) and will do so next week when the car is in for some other service. My shop also has a spring tester which we'll use while they are off as well.
I just wanted to check here to see if any other H&R srping owners had noticed extreme settling especially after carrying any loads in the rear of their Mini.

p.s. Thanks for the info on the tires! I'll use that next time I go in for a new set.

[districtofc]

keep us posted. i think it's strange theyd say the dampers had something to do with ride height. i dont know what the spring spacers youre talking about are...but they shouldnt hurt the springs i dont think. i had intrax springs that sagged like that.. :-(

[minilover]

a few months ago i drove with 225\35\18 wheels with no problems
but now i lowered the car 50 mm and now they dont fit at all
but if you have the original lowering springs from mini
225 fit perfect