1st Gen R50 Cooper Most liked posts in thread: Control arm bushings on R50

At that mileage you bushing are dust. I had a few clunks in the front end at odd times. What I really noticed was how much tighter the front end was with the new Powerflex bushings in there. Night & day difference.

 

Thanks Rawhyde! A very thorough answer. I'm not noticing much of the symptoms you mention, though I do notice that there's a little pull or twitch of the wheel if I have it in gear, let off the gas and then put the gas back on without clutching.

Alas, I'm not 1/10th the mechanic you are, so I'm very likely looking at putting Black Top in the shop to do this. And I'm not anywhere near any of the big name Mini shops, so I'll be relying on my regular mechanic. Man, I wish I had complete service records for the car! I'm not noticing much of the symptoms you mention, though I do notice that there's a little pull or twitch of the wheel if I have it in gear, let off the gas and then put the gas back on without clutching.

On the plus side, I know the transmission was disassembled & checked less than 3000 miles ago when the clutch was replaced, so that fluid doesn't need changing.

 

Thanks for the kind words. I usually ramble on a bit too much...

If you're not experiencing the symptoms I described and you're not really failing the "kick the tire" test, it makes me think that the bushings might have been replaced while the subframe was out for your transmission work. If you can get under the car safely with a good light, try to get a good look at the bushings. When they are deteriorated, it's usually easy to see. Here are some pics of mine, and they were in pretty sad shape.

 

Since the car would be appart, would it make sense to install lowering springs at same time?

 

You should not need any of them my car is an 05 with over 75K still on the stock ones. (Ball joints)

As for the bushings the only ones I replaced were the LCA bushings the other ones are still OEM. Don't replace every bushing just because they make them or you will make your car stiff and everything will rattle.

 

Excellent

 

A local garage that specializes in Mini maintenance and repair quote me $875 to do the control arms and bushings. Does that sound right?

 

Ummmmm I am going to say no. That price sounds a little high.

 

That's for parts and labour, in Canadian bucks.
What would be more reasonable?

 

Anyone?

 

Isn't anybody willing to offer and opinion?

 

That rate is about average for an independent shop around here, and the local dealerships charge more than double that rate!

@iovecables, did they quote the number of hours and hourly rate?

 

Helix replaced the control arm bushings on my R53 at the recent MOTD for $350 including parts...it was a special they offered to attendees, and as you have found is quite a bit cheaper than what most shops charge. I'm pretty sure they have a method figured out that allows them to do the replacement without dropping the sub frame (which is the typical method and takes more time). My car had 93k miles and the bushings were completely worn out...the new bushings made a world of difference in handling and steering wheel feel.

You might be able to do this job yourself, many have...one good option if doing yourself is to obtain control arms with the bushings installed on an exchange basis...without the proper tool I understand it is a bit of a bear to get the new bushings in.

During the install Helix discovered my front sway bar bushings are also worn...but that job does require lowering of the sub frame...so it will have to wait until I've got to drop that for some other job.

 

I haven't been on in a while, but your price isn't so bad if it includes materials. You can look back through my posts and see the scope of work I did. Parts alone were $550-600 if I remember correctly. My earlier reply about the high price was because I thought that was for labor only.

 

Am getting some basic maintenance done on July 2nd. Will ask for a breakdown, but yes, that price included parts and labour.

 

Happy to say the bushings - and everything else on the car is in VERY good condition. Only thing that needs addressing is the 3rd brake light is dead, and I'm down to 5/32 on the run flats.
Let's see how long it takes the rozzers to notice.......
Loving the CAI that Kevin's Auto Care installed for me.