12 replies to this topic

[Minitrio]

Model: MPI
Year: 1997
Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible):
I am currently rebuilding the front suspension, i need new lower arms. I have looked through a number of online shops and the most common thing that seems to appear is 1.5 Negative Camber parts.

So my question is: What affect does Negative Camber have on the steering and the other suspension/steering parts? Both positive and negative points.

Would just like some info before i buy some Lower arms

Cheers

[steble]

people go with negative camber to try and erradicate understeer. you will find with a good suspension set up that running negative camber is a good thing and will improve you cornering capabilites.

however you will also find the inside of your tyres will wear much quicker than the rest of them. especially with a lot of motorway miles as your going in straight lines a lot.

myself i like having negative camber but i wouldn't go for more than 1.5 degree

[Guess-Works.com]

Also if you're lowering the car then this will naturally add -ve camber... the best option is to get "on-car" adjustable arms ( and tie bars which you'll need for the -ve camber bottom arms anyway ) then the suspension can be set up properly...

Don't forget a mini subframe is built to a tolerance, this means with std arms at std ride height you could have between 1 and 3 degrees +ve as standard on either side.

Edited by GuessWorks.co.uk, 28 December 2009 - 09:27 PM.

[icklemini]

You got sportspack wheels? - you *dont* need 1.d degs neg camber.


Best bet is to get an adjustable setup and then get it set as approprate to your car..

[Ethel]

The first thing to note is 1.5 negative arms don't give you 1.5 degrees of negative camber: they give you camber that's 1.5 degrees more negative than it was. Minis have 1-2 degrees of positive camber as standard but it will be less if the suspension is lower either by design or age.

The best approach would be to set up your refurbished suspension as standard, at the height you want, then measure the camber & get whatever arms you need to set it.

On wide, low profile tyres most would opt for neutral or 1/2 a degree of negative on more traditional Mini tread you could go an extra degree of negative. You should also look at adjustable tie rods so you can restore the caster angle after you've lengthened the bottom arms.

Neg camber sticks better in corners, improving the steering response. It can make the steering heavier and more susceptible to road bumps if you have too much wheel offset. It shouldn't effect tyre wear much if it's properly set up as you won't have any more camber : the wheels will just be leaning in instead of out.

[bmcecosse]

Negative camber is great - as part of a complete suspension set-up, and as others have said -NOT if you have the big 13" wheels! You will also need to sort out the rear suspension - which in many ways has a much bigger effect on the car's handling than anything you do at the front.

[minimender]

Negative camber is great - as part of a complete suspension set-up, and as others have said -NOT if you have the big 13" wheels! You will also need to sort out the rear suspension - which in many ways has a much bigger effect on the car's handling than anything you do at the front.

I agree with 'bmcecosse', if you want to improve cornering and eliminate understeer then you can get rid of the toe in at the rear with a couple of washers each side.
Reducing the rear toe in will transform the handling but the back end will come round if you push it very hard....good fun though and cheap.

[Minitrio]

Thanks for all the response's.

I have standard 12" minilites, new rubber suspension cones, new heavy duty adjustable tie bars, all new bushes and the old lowered SPAX adjustable shockers.

The lower arms would have been standard, but the tie bar bolts have corroded into the lower arm. I've tried no end of ideas to remove the bolts, but after 4 weeks passing of hammering, heating, soaking in penetrating fluids and £65 quote to have them drilled out, i've given up and decided to buy new ones. I intend to buy adjustable lower arms and when finances allow some Hi Lo's.

So thanks for enlightening me, i shall have a play around with the adjustability and get it set up safely to what feel's good.


Thanks again everyone

[rick.spi]

just adding that i used to scrub my tyres on the outside like mad before i put camber on arms on and now it wears more even id say (my car is lowered aswell) , if your throwing your car around corners all day long its a must have!

[icklemini]

i shall have a play around with the adjustability and get it set up safely to what feel's good.

Drop me a PM if you are interested in m e setting up the geometry once you have the parts fitted.

TTFN,
Dave

[Minitrio]

i shall have a play around with the adjustability and get it set up safely to what feel's good.

Drop me a PM if you are interested in m e setting up the geometry once you have the parts fitted.

TTFN,
Dave

Cheers Dave. Will consider your offer when the time arrives.

[rick.spi]

i shall have a play around with the adjustability and get it set up safely to what feel's good.

Drop me a PM if you are interested in m e setting up the geometry once you have the parts fitted.

TTFN,
Dave

Cheers Dave. Will consider your offer when the time arrives.

well worth it... dave did mine and it handled like a beauty when it was done!

[Minitrio]

Nice one Rick, its always good to have someone recommend offered services.

Its about an hours drive from me so will get it basically set up, for MOT. Just got to complete my shopping list and get the parts ordered