I have a 2010 Clubman S with NM engineering front sway bar, 17 wheels on NON run flats, and H&R springs to soften the ride. Stock everything else.


Its still to darn Jittery, I simply cannot drive with confidence, anytime I hit a bump my car literally jumps. Not sure whether I go back to 16's or do I get
some type of different shock setup.


Someone please give me some options!!


thanks

 

Front sway bar? That's unusual, most people seem to do rear sway bars on MINIs.

 

Did you have an alignment done when you put those lowering springs on? If not by lowering your car you have changed the camber which in turn changed the toe. Your description sure sounds like you have toe-out.

 

I have an Eibach front and rear sway bar on my 2009 Clubman S. Adding a larger rear sway bar makes the steering respond quicker. Adding the larger front sway bar slowed down the steering. After adding the front sway bar I needed to put the rear sway bar on a stiffer setting in order for the steering to not feel so slow and to give the car a more neutral feel in corners. I also installed poly control arm bushings in the front suspension.

The alignment should definitely be done. Also, how many miles are on your Mini? It might be time for control arm bushings. Worn bushings are going to put a little slop in your steering. Its going to be slightly harder to hold the car in a straight line, and you'll lose some steering precision in corners. With fresh control arm bushings you'll notice that don't need to turn the steering wheel as much to go around a corner fast... slight but noticeable.

My 2 cents. I am no expert, just speaking from experience. My Clubman had 60,000 miles on it when I changed the control arm bushings to Powerflex. I don't think the OEM bushings were that worn compared to my G35 that had 90,000 miles on it when I replaced them, but I did notice a difference afterwards in the things I mentioned.

 

good article to read.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bump_steer

 

check the alignment

 

I agree with all of the above. My solution was to replace the original (non-sport) shocks with Megan coilovers. There are other alternatives, such as Koni FSD's, that will make the ride less jittery and eliminate the car changing lanes on it's own when you hit a bump mid-turn.


I tried NM springs, 16" non-runflats, and changing the alignment settings and these things all helped to some extent, but hitting expansion joints on bridges was an "event" since new and remained so until I dumped the OE shocks.


With the coilovers and 17" non-runflats it rides like a normal car and handles well. With the coilovers and my 16" winter runflats it rides more harshly, but still much better than when I had the original shocks on it.

 

Did you get the car aligned after all of the suspension work? My original shocks were toast after the previous owner put it on H&R Sport Springs they went bad between 25k and 30k miles. Harsh as all get out. I bought Koni Yellows because I was told the FSD's wouldn't work well with the car as low as it is. Everything has been great since then.

 

I've got a '09 Clubman S as well and just started noticing the bumpsteer getting worse.

I'm running stock everything on 17" run Flats(car had JCW wheels when I got it)

I've never had it aligned but tire wear seems to be normal. I'm guessing if I'm experiencing a worsening that it's most likely the control arm bushings? Car has 62k on it.

It's to the point that I'm not confident in taking corners in a spirited fashion anymore. It seems worse when making right turns. Front pushes and the tires want to hop.

Hard left turns seem a little more normal, but still experience my issue.

 

My 09 justa was horrible with this... Then I got nonRunFlats and it was night and day better.

 

Three stages of bump steer
-Basic
-Static- non moving car to check
-Dynamic- rolling car on track or road(it has a down force based on bodywork which effects car dynamics)