Ollie
March 29, 2012, 7:03pm
34
We’ve had this discussion about your mini sir.
When we did it the last time you wanted it as low as it was. You and Harold discussed the tire wear issue and other geometry issues. You insisted we keep it that low. The bump steer is a big issue on your car and that’s why you are experiencing excessive tire wear. Just like Kramers MR2.
You and I rediscussed this not to long ago on the phone.
So when you are able to fix the geometry issues if you choose to leave it that low we will do another alignment on it.
Although you appear to feel as though we did something wrong when doing your alignment, that would be incorrect sir.
Despite the appearance I would even discount the next alignment if the bump steer issues have been corrected by us or another for a discounted rate.
Albany Speed Shop stands behind our work. And in doing so, we would be happy to properly repair/adjust the geometry to eliminate your issues to be able to retain that ride height for a fair charge.
Your Mini is easy to make WOW with a proper alignment if the ride heights you’ve chosen to maintain weren’t so extreme.
LMK if I can help further.
Best
Darryl
The price of rolling low:lol
What on the front end of that mini is causing the bump steer? Is the ackerman is way off from being that low?
My machinist is working on a design for MK4 VW’s to get low and get rid of the same issues I think you are seeing.
More or less flipping the stock tierod end links on the knuckles. This requires removing the knuckles, reaming them on a mill, then he is making some steel conical sleeves that would match the taper of the ball joint shaft, and the outside dia of the reamed knuckle allowing the tie rod link to be to be bolted back to the knuckle safely, upside down. That should drop the connection point at spindle just enough to hopefully get the tie rods from the steering rack back on a parallel plane with the lower control arms… AKA getting rid of bumpsteer caused by poor ackerman geometry.
lastly, the rack might be able to be shimmed up if its installed on a vertical plane under the car, and it has clearance above it to do so. Might be a combination of both may be needed on your car.
Darrly is right, his hands are tied when the numbers on paper dont jive with the factory intentions for the suspension geometry. I would have to see it myself to make an accurate assessment aswell, but I have altered enough suspension to know how far out of wack things go when they go really low or really high.
My e36 isnt bad at all slammed but I’m looking to set it up proper for the track while keeping a low ride height. this new company broadway static suspension (work with fortune auto) might be using my car for some final prototype testing on their coils and suspension parts. Were looking into custom hubs to correct ackerman and increase steering angle when really low. It would drop the tie rods like you were saying. And along with their new full tap coilovers it would be a nice set up for a properly slammed car
**meant to say modified knuckles not hubs lol