It's definatley NOT an installation issue. Mine were installed by a German Master mechanic with over 30 years of experience. There are MANY guys on here that have done the install themselves and know that it was done correctly as well. There is NO doubt that the MINI does not like to be lowered past a certain point. I should have a set of the spacers in about 2-3 weeks and will keep everyone posted once I find out more.

 

i've dropped mine 1.5" without issues (CVs have 101k miles and 4.5 yrs autox)...

i've read the threads on this matter that pertain to the first gen, and observed the variety of experience and similiar consternation when folks with the issue and those without compare notes...

as far as i've learned, i would make a slightly narrower conclusion that the one you just stated, i would say

SOME minis do not like lowering past a certain point

what seperates those that like it from those that do not? that i've not learned, as no consensus has appeared that i have found

candidates considered include:
* the amount of lowering
* the number of miles on the CV joints when lowering occurred
* the batch of CV joints installed on any particular car
* the type of service the car is engaged in

yet it remains a mystery - an obvious and extreme aggravation for those that encounter the problem, and baffling for those that do not.

i look forward to see what you learn through spacers - thanks for sharing

 

I agree with you 100 percent. Fortunately, this problem does not plague all MINI owners but it's defiantly not a matter of improper installation. I'll keep you posted on the spacers. I spoke with the guy over in Germany via email and they are currently out of stock and expect the spacers to be delivered in 2-3 weeks.

 

How do the spacers look like?

 

I put the HR lowering springs on at 7k miles on my 2007 S. I've done springs before and I was real careful as always. I have a slight vibration in first gear only at 0-10mph when accelerating. I've neglected to have my car re-aligned as I will probably wait until I get new tires. I kind of figured it was a factor of alignment... but maybe not. Just another data point perhaps. It's not so bad as I would rather have the stock springs back on. No way, the car handles too much better to sacrifice a little vibration at low speed. It doesnt seem like a CV joint to me though. Also, I can attest it happened immediately after lowering. Day 1.

 

I opened this thread seven months ago and did much searching into the root cause for this. In the end - all anyone really has on this is speculation. No one (including me) has pinned down the cause.

After several thousand miles the vibration lessened in amplitude, but never disappeared. During that time, I've gone to 17" wheels with non-runflats all without elimination of the vibration. Three weeks ago, I tore the suspension out myself and installed the full JCW suspension kit with JCW springs and headed for the alignment rack. Perfect. Period. No rotational vibration. No hint of rotational vibration. Done - Fini! Put a fork in it. No return of the dreaded torque-steer either.

Draw your own conclusion from all of this. It's well known that hundreds of cars are being lowered without any issues what-so-ever. Mine was not one of them. It's also foolish to assume that persons capable of performing their own work should immediately cause others to imply that you MUST have assembled it wrong. Nonsense. Some of us have been there (many times over) and know better. It's just an unfortunate bi-product of certain component design that some of us will have to live with if we choose to modify our cars.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Edit - I just read the mention of H&R using a spacer solution. Seems like the only logical answer to come out of this. Maybe there is a straight-forward solution and a known root cause. I'll watch the thread for news.

 

i had the same experience and think that lowering springs were the worse and most expensive mistake I have made so far. My JCW kit works perfectly.

 

I talk to a mechanic here in PR, he explained to me something about progressive H&R springs thats is the cause of the sound.

He told me to check the springs to see if they are marked. I found this on internet about what he told me.

What is Coil Bind?
Coil bind occurs whenever a spring is compressed and one or more of the springs active coils contacts another coil. The rate of the spring increases whenever a coil binds since the bound coil or coils are no longer active(this changes one of the three rate-determining factors). Of course, handling is affected whenever a coil binds. If the spring is compressed to solid height (all coils touching) during suspension movement, the suspension will cease to work. You can, and should, check for evidence of coil bind by examining the finish between the active coils. If any coils have bound the finish between them will show contact marks that appear as though they were drawn with a lead pencil. Normally any spring that is binding should be replaced with a taller spring. Be aware, however, there are racing springs on the market that are built with wire that is heavier than what's needed. These springs will coil bind before others that are built with the proper size wire.
Under very extreme conditions, coil binding can cause a spring to unwind slightly. This can cause the mean diameter of the spring to increase and reduce rate of the spring. You should realize that the potential for coil bind is increased whenever short springs are used. Always match the spring to the job.

 

Couple things. If anyone local to us, has this problem (regardless of if we installed them or not) PLEASE ring me and arrange a time to bring the car in. We can't duplicate it!!!! Even on cars slammed on coilovers and I don't have this issue.

fernflex: not to make a simple poo poo to the comment made, but that doesn't make any sense. Plus H&R (and others) make TONS of springs for TONS of FWD cars. If your mechanics theory was true then WAY more brands of cars etc. would all be affected.

So the search goes on!

 

Its just a theory, I explained the problem to him by phone and he told me that maybe is because the springs are progressive, it got nothing to do with the brand.

Maybe we did something wrong installing the spring or is just pure luck that this problem affects a many people n this forum but we have to find a answer to this problem.

Its just not normal

 

Coil springs bind on progressive wound springs. You can see that most H&R springs and the likes Nuespeed another example will bottom first 4 coils when you put the car on the ground. But most coils sould not bind up unless you bottom out the the bump stops.

This should not produce any sounds really, i have never heard sounds from a progressive spring that would differ from a linear spring if the suspension is working well.

 

dumb question, but are you guys cutting down the bump stops when installing shorter springs? It's unlikely, but I wonder if some cars are now right at the limit where the bump stops gets compressed causing the vibration. This is just a theory, unlike gravity, or evolution. ;-)

 

Did not cut bump stops.

Also, my vibration is from the front when accelerating pretty hard in 1st. So if anything, the suspension should be a little unloaded.

 

I was unable to get a hold of the spacers from Germany and the vibrations did not get any better, even after putting 3000 miles on the springs. I finally had enough and decided to go with the TSW springs. I installed them today and WOW, what a difference.

THE VIBRATIONS ARE GONE!!!

The ride is much more comfortable, doesn't feel like I'm riding a brick anymore, and the handeling is AMAZING. The install was done by the same person, the only variable that changed was the springs. I am CONVINCED that the problem came from the Alta H&R springs.

Do yourself a favor and buy a set of the TSW springs if you are experiencing the vibration problem with the Alta/H&R springs. I guarantee you that it will solve the issue. Best $200 I have spent. The linear springs are the way to go for the MINI. The drop looks good and like I said, the handeling is amazing.

THANK YOU TEXAS SPEEDWERKS!!!

 

I am VERY happy that your issue is resolved. But again, that just doesn't make any sense.

In fact we JUST did an 04.5 MCS today and it was perfect as well. Same springs as your original ones.

I still stand by that it is somehow installation related and when these were switched out, then the problem was corrected. Can't think of anything else.
AGAIN, VERY HAPPY THAT YOUR PROBLEM IS SOLVED regardless how you got there!

Still wish I had a local car to feel this vibration, then try to fix.

IF ANYONE IN THE PDX AREA HAS THIS ISSUE PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!!

 

Nice try...but it's NOT an install issue. I guess some people willl never admit that there is a problem even though the proof is right in their face. This is one of the many reasons why I will stear clear of Alta in the future. I like companies that stand behind their products and don't try and make their customers look like their incompetent.

 

Oh poop-sticks! That isn't my insinuation at all. I keep trying to get through to you that WE CAN NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM with H&R Springs, ALTA/H&R Springs, CROSS Coilovers, H&R Coilovers, ETC. ETC. THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT YOU AND OTHERS HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE!!! Never even implied that! Sheesh.

BUT, I do want to find out how to resolve the issue. Without a car in my shop that is having the problem, how can I possibly work toward a solution? PLUS this isn't an "ALTA" problem, others mention concerns with OTHER brands of springs as well, Eibach, MACH V and others. SO why are you all over my backside about this?

You as a member of this collective community are more than entitled to your opinion etc. but you are also responsible for helping ALL of us NAM folks to work together to solve problems or concerns with the vehicles we all love, in this case the MINI.

I NEVER once blamed you, or gave you any reason not to recommend our products or our service. I am GLAD you got this resolved.

IF I CAN HELP YOU IN THE FUTURE THE OFFER STILL STANDS TO DO SO!

 

Thanks for the offer, but you and I both know you don't mean that. I guess you forgot all about the MANY problems I have had with your organization.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=142142

 

Never said we or anyone else is perfect! However, we do stand behind our products and customer service. If you feel I have let you down, (as I mentioned above) you are MORE than entitled to that opinion.

If you ever decide to take up the opportunity I have offered before to chat, let me know. If not, then I have no ability to help further. SO MY offer still stands. And I DO mean that. If I didn't I wouldn't be in business today.

So are YOU willing to take the offer extended to you?

 

Cute!!! If you were willing to make it right from the beginning, I would have rec'd a refund for ALL the defective parts I odered from you including the wrong sized belt, poor plugs and the bad springs. Oh, and I forgot to mention the refund that never happened for the pulley rental tool. I feel that you rec'd more than your fair chance to keep my business. A lot of money and effort was wasted due to your poorly designed parts. and NOTHING was done to rectify the situation. I called and talked to your staff and managers, but NO-ONE was willing to stand up for your products so don't give me this smoke and mirrors about "you care".

 

Love how you came back and added the smoke an mirrors comment. Nice after thought.

Look you feel slighted, I am sorry. BUT HOW THE HECK CAN I HELP YOU IF YOU DON'T ALLOW ME TOO? Meaning, CALL ME, PM ME, E-MAIL ME not my staff. I am taking this out of their hands as I said in the other thread.

If you seriously want to discuss and work on a refund on your previous orders, THEN CONTACT ME!!!!!! If not, you can go about trashing my name and my company all you want, but then it makes you a complete hypocrite.

I don't want this to degrade any further.I just get frustrated when we WANT to help and instead we get this type of reply.

Regardless, ENJOY the car, ENJOY the new springs and any other mods you might add.

Thanks again!

 

How many emails or PM's does it take. I contacted you directly when this all started and I kept in contact via PM throughout the entire episode. You can start by replying to the one I sent you yesterday. If you want, I can dig up at least 5 emails and PM's. Don't make it sound like I NEVER contacted you.

 

Again love the edit!

I just checked ALL of my PM's from the past week and ZERO from TampaMCS.

I answer PM's at ADAMSALTAMINI

Jeff Perrin / Chris in Tech at ALTA2

Ken Jubb Sales Dept ALTA_KEN

John Leitl Wholesale Sales ALTA_John

John Herring Marketing and Web Concerns ALTADESIGN

If I have missed one someplace PLEASE let me know where you sent it? I can't answer what I don't have.

Hope that helps! Thank you!

 

do you have info on german supplier? I live here and could hook you Nam'rs up.

 

I've delt very little with ALTA in the past (I, in fact, will call them tonight/tomorrow due to an out of stock item), but they seem like a friendly bunch. It could be simply that your messages were either misplaced, lost, or just plain didn't go through. I've heard nothing but good things about ALTA.

Maybe the initial installation was poor, and maybe it got fixed the second time. Who knows...