Suspension Brakes 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: Front Control Arm Bushing, what brand do you use?

Should we make a Poll out of this?

 

I made the title something that might attract more people.

I use the Alta PSRS. Why, I don't remember why I bought these over the other brands.

Am I happy with them? Somewhat, they needed to be welded and when Alta was notified I lost all the set screws they did nothing but give me the specs on replacements. Didn't offer to send new ones, then again, I didn't ask for them either hoping they would step up and do the right thing.

 

Powerflex after Danny at Minicorsa (shameless plug) noticed my stockers were shot with 36k on the odometer. Nice difference. While before I was able to feel every small rock on the road that I ran over, now I am able to feel every tiny rock. This was on our tin top. I am about to go the same route on my vert as the steering is starting to get a little floppy.

 

Powerflex control arm bushings. Replaced stockers with them about 6 weeks back. They are great in my opinion.

 

I've been installing mostly Powerflex, and we have also been shipping them prepressed into the brackets to customers. Been happy with them.

 

Guys, where and how do you look for slop/play to tell if control arm bushings are shot?
When tightening wheel nuts I have slop/play that allows the the wheel to rock forward on the passenger side.

 

If the wheel rocks back and forth like you say, I'd bet you need control arm bushings. I usually pry on the control arm and watch the bushing. If it moves pretty easy it's worn out, it should have good resistance if the bushings are good.

 

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You don't have to worry about stiffness with the Alta PSRS. Have had one installed for over a year now and love it. No binding to worry about. The MINI club I belong to have been installing these for about 3 years and have well over 20 installed by members with no issues.

But as Nathan stated, you do want to make sure you tack weld the sleeve to the arm so it stays in place.

 

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A visual inspection will reveal tears in the OEM rubber bushing; if the tear is relatively new there will be oil film on the lower end of the bushing bracket. Drive the front up on ramps, block the rear wheels, shine a light at the bushing within the bracket.

I prefer the OEM bushing for many reasons.

 

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Ummm,..like yeah. With that statement we should be checking with MINI before we change any OEM part...

You check with Ford before using their calipers on a MINI? That is an application that is altering it's intended use.

 

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What about the set that comes with the control arms MINI Madness created. Granted, the cost is greater as you are replacing the entire control arm.