The combination of MINI's short suspension travel and the inadequate rigidity of the front suspension strut towers (also known as tower defenders) make the MINI susceptible to strut tower deformation (also known as 'mushrooming') when hitting severe potholes. These reinforcement plates add rigidity to the strut towers to minimize this deformation. If you live in an area where the roads are a little 'rough' - these are a must-have!

Fits the following models:

2002-2006 R50 MINI Cooper and R53 Cooper S Hatchback
2005-2008 R52 MINI Cooper and S Convertibles

There are two options:  the original Strut Tower Reinforcement Plates, and the Understrut Reinforcement Plates.  If the roads in your area are 'average' with occasional pot holes, the original plates may suffice.  However, if the roads in your area are really bad with lots of mega-potholes, then you might use the Understrut Plates IN ADDITION to the original plates for double duty protection.  The understrut plates are not meant to be used by themselves, but in conjunction with the original plates.

These Strut Tower Reinforcement plates includes 'stud extenders' to lengthen the studs from the guide plate. No worries that the studs are long enough!

Avoid costly repairs from strut tower deformation in your MINI Cooper and Cooper S with the Strut Tower Defender Reinforcement Plates (STRP). These plates are designed to strengthen the strut tower and prevent 'mushrooming' which can result from hitting large potholes or bottoming out the front suspension. Sold in pairs.

When your strut tower 'mushrooms', the alignment is adversely affected and can cause handling problems as well as premature tire wear. This is a small investment to prevent future problems, especially if your roads are less than 'smooth'!

By sandwiching the sheet metal between the strut and the STRP's 1/2 inch thick aircraft aluminum plate, it is strengthened ten-fold. The STRP retains 1/2 inch thickness throughout ensuring that there are no weak spots.   For additional protection, use both the top plate and understrut plate.

Installation of the Top Plate is easy using the included instructions, it will take about 10 minutes to ensure that you do not have to go through a lengthy and expensive alignment repair.

Installation of the Understrut Plate is a little more difficult than the Reinforcement Plate, using the included instructions, it will take about 30 minutes to ensure that you do not have to go through a lengthy and expensive alignment repair. You will need to lift the car, bolting the strut unbolt the struts, and maneuver the Plates into place before bolting the strut back in place.

Note: This Strut reinforcement plate is NOT compatible with most Front Strut Tower Braces.

The combination of MINI's short suspension travel and the inadequate rigidity of the front suspension strut towers make the MINI susceptible to strut tower deformation (also known as 'mushrooming') when hitting severe potholes. These reinforcement plates add rigidity to the strut towers to minimize this deformation. If you live in an area where the roads are a little 'rough' - these are a must-have! Sold in pairs with all necessary hardware for installation.

Avoid costly repairs from strut tower deformation in your MINI Cooper and Cooper S with the Strut Tower Reinforcement Plates (STRP). These plates are designed to strengthen the strut tower and prevent 'mushrooming' which can result from hitting large potholes or bottoming out the front suspension. Sold in pairs.

Fits:

2002-2006 R50 MINI Cooper and R53 Cooper S Hatchback
2005-2008 R52 MINI Cooper and S Convertibles

These Strut Tower Reinforcement plates includes 'stud extenders' to lengthen the studs from the guide plate.  No worries that the studs are long enough!

When your strut tower 'mushrooms', the alignment is adversely affected and can cause handling problems as well as premature tire wear. This is a small investment to prevent future problems, especially if your roads are less than 'smooth'!

By sandwiching the sheet metal between the strut and the STRP's 1/2 inch thick aircraft aluminum plate, it is strengthened ten-fold. The STRP retains 1/2 inch thickness throughout ensuring that there are no weak spots. Installation is easy using the included instructions, it will take about 10 minutes to ensure that you do not have to go through a lengthy and expensive alignment repair.

MINI Cooper Strut Tower Brace Plate Installation Instructions

See NMS7301 MINI Cooper Under Strut Tower Plates for additional protection.

NOTES: 

• If your strut tower is deformed or mushroomed, you can 'carefully' repair this with the struts rmoved.  Use a block of wood and a mallet and carefully flatten the top of the strut tower.  However, once you've altered the strut tower, the structural integrity is severely weakened so you should install these reinforcement plates to  restore the integrity.  The Guide Support or Strut Mounts are probably deformed  so you should replace them as well.
• The deformation needs to be corrected before installing these strut plates.  Do not rely on these plates to correct the deformation.  These plates are designed to add strength, not correct the deformation. 

Note: This Strut reinforcement plate is not compatible with most Front Strut Tower Braces.

The combination of MINI's short suspension travel and the inadequate rigidity of the front suspension strut towers make the MINI susceptible to strut tower deformation (also known as 'mushrooming') when hitting severe potholes. These reinforcement plates add rigidity to the strut towers to minimize this deformation. If you live in an area where the roads are a little 'rough' - these are a must-have!

Fits:

2002-2006 R50 MINI Cooper and R53 Cooper S Hatchback
2005-2008 R52 MINI Cooper and S Convertibles

Installation Guide

Parts included are:
1 ea Right Defender Plate
1 ea Left Defender Plate
6 ea Hex Nuts
6 ea Small Washers
6 ea Large Washers
6 ea Custom Bolt Adapters

Tools Required are:
Torque Wrench
Socket Wrench
9/16” Deep Socket
7/8” Socket
1/2” Socket

Installation Instruction

1. Remove 3 factory nuts from the top of each strut tower using your ½” socket and wrench

2. Drop one of the small washers onto each of the exposed bolts.

3. Twist the included bolt adapters onto the protruding bolts on the two strut towers.

4. Use the deep 9/16 socket and torque wrench to tighten the adapters to 25 FT/LBS.

5. Notice the left and right plates are different; the logo will be on the windshield side.

6. Line up the plate with the adapter closest to the windshield and slide it down ¼ inch.

7. Turn the plate to line up the other two holes and press straight down.

8. Drop one of the large washers on top of the plate around each bolt.

9. Notice that the hex nuts have one flat and one concave side; use them flat side down for steps 10 and 11.

10. Use the 7/8” socket to torque the hex nuts to 25 FT/LBS.

11. Repeat process on the opposite strut tower.

Under Strut Tower Plates for added protection from costly 'strut tower mushrooming' - for use in conjunction with the Strut Reinforcement Plates for maximum protection. These plates fit 'inside' the strut towers and are sandwiched between the the strut tower and the top of the struts. Sold in pairs.

Fits the following models:

2002-2006 R50 MINI Cooper and R53 MINI Cooper S Hardtop/Hatchback
2005-2008 R52 MINI Cooper and S Convertibles

Too Much G Force
Whether you are competing at an autocross or driving on a Sunday afternoon your MINI is at risk. Even if you already have some STD's, you may want to double up. Because around every corner, in the very depths of every pothole, and the pinnacle of every bump G forces lie in wait. The occasional G may seem harmless by itself, but at times there may be several lurking in one rut and once they have done their damage to the sheet metal atop your tightly sprung strut towers, it will be difficult to resume normal activity.

Mushrooming
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but you may not be able to detect the mushroomed strut towers if you looked at a thousand photos. Less than 3/8" of tower deformation can be extremely detrimental to your MINI's alignment. This has been a common issue that MINI owners have had to face. It is a compromise in the design of the vehicle, where the tight springs allow for the griptastic handling that we love on the twisties, but are the main reason that our MINI's have a unique disposition for sheet metal deformation.

Double Up
These Under Strut Plates are an additional preventative measure. Double up on protection, use with Reinforcement Plates together to your advantage - this will strengthen your MINI's strut towers before deformation can occur. By sandwiching the sheet metal between the 1/8 inch cold rolled steel Under STrut Plate and the 1/2 inch thick aircraft aluminum Reinforcement plate there is no possible way for tour your frame to bend. Sold in pairs.

Under Strut Tower Plates
Installation is a little more difficult than the Reinforcement Plate, using the included instructions, it will take about 30 minutes to ensure that you do not have to go through a lengthy and expensive alignment repair. You will need to lift the car, bolting the strut unbolt the struts, and maneuver the Plates into place before bolting the strut back in place.

Fitment
The pair comes plated in a gold nickel finish. The finish will have some scratches from the manufacturing process, but do not fear, the UTI is barely visible once it is installed.

See NMS7300 for Strut Tower Reinforcement Plates.

If you need to replace the hardware that came with the Strut Reinforcement Plates, this is the kit.  Kit includes the stud extensions, nuts and washers.

Fits the following models:

2002-2006 R50 MINI Cooper and R53 Cooper S Hardtops
2005-2008 R52 MINI Cooper and S Convertibles