1st Gen R53 Cooper S Front suspension squeak . Help.

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by jbat, Jul 2, 2013.

Tags:
Most Liked Posts
Page 2 of 2
  1. Motoring Magic

    Motoring Magic New Member
    Motoring Alliance Sponsor

    Dec 13, 2009
    397
    266
    0
    Motoring Magic Owner, Ventura County's ONLY MINI s
    Thousand Oaks, Vta cty, socal
    Ratings:
    +266 / 0 / -0
    #21 Motoring Magic, Jul 4, 2013
    Sorry I am late to this party-the noise you are hearing is the rubber around the bearing failing. That is why grease in the bearing does little. Unless you are going to track the car and actually change the settings, DO NOT buy adjustable camber plates from anyone. Your ride will be worse and noisier. The Ireland Fixed camber plates are a great choice, the rubber bushing is actually thicker and you wind up with a smoother ride. Installation is fairly simple and self explanatory if you are mechanically inclined-if not, a competent shop shoul not charge more than 100.00 to change it. and a good 4 wheel alignment anytime the front end is apart is a god idea.
     
  2. jbat

    jbat New Member

    Jul 2, 2013
    39
    15
    0
    Ratings:
    +15 / 0 / -0
    #22 jbat, Jul 4, 2013
    Oh and will I need a spring compressor ?
     
  3. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
    Supporting Member

    May 4, 2009
    8,767
    2,547
    113
    Bend, OR USA
    Ratings:
    +2,678 / 1 / -0
    #23 ScottinBend, Jul 4, 2013
    I disagree.......adjustable plates are just fine. My IE adjustable plates are working just fine.
     
  4. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    #24 Dave.0, Jul 4, 2013
    Yup my HELIX adjustable camber plates have been fine for the last 5 years.
     
  5. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 22, 2010
    3,390
    1,213
    113
    North Carolina
    Ratings:
    +1,221 / 0 / -0
    #25 Mr. Jim, Jul 4, 2013
    Mine are fine too. And after a proper alignment the ride is awesome!
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #26 Crashton, Jul 4, 2013
    No experience with adjustable plates many folks love them. I do have about 100,000 miles on a set of IE fixed plates & love them.
     
  7. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Dec 22, 2009
    5,645
    4,605
    113
    Male
    Overland Park, Ks
    Ratings:
    +5,197 / 1 / -0
    #27 Minidave, Jul 4, 2013
    I have to amend my "instructions" a bit, you do have to release the lower ball joint in order to get the strut out, at least I did on the '03 I worked on this morning. We took the two bolts out and the ball joint slid right out, easy peasy.
     
  8. jbat

    jbat New Member

    Jul 2, 2013
    39
    15
    0
    Ratings:
    +15 / 0 / -0
    #28 jbat, Jul 5, 2013
    My first car I built in my garage with my dad. Since then I've never takin a car to the shop
    For anything besides paint. So I am fairly mechanically inclined. This will be a fun job, soon hopefully I can put on some new shocks and struts as well
     
  9. jbat

    jbat New Member

    Jul 2, 2013
    39
    15
    0
    Ratings:
    +15 / 0 / -0
    #29 jbat, Jul 11, 2013
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373558750.356354.jpg got the parts in. 2 camber plates from way motor works
     
  10. jbat

    jbat New Member

    Jul 2, 2013
    39
    15
    0
    Ratings:
    +15 / 0 / -0
    #30 jbat, Jul 11, 2013
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373558818.689674.jpg disconnected the away bar linkage
     
  11. jbat

    jbat New Member

    Jul 2, 2013
    39
    15
    0
    Ratings:
    +15 / 0 / -0
    #31 jbat, Jul 11, 2013
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373558851.939649.jpg removed bolt holding on the strut
     
  12. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #32 Crashton, Jul 11, 2013
    That's very interesting. I'd suggest doing a thorough nut & bolt check on the rest of your front suspension. Loctite 242 is your friend.
     
  13. jbat

    jbat New Member

    Jul 2, 2013
    39
    15
    0
    Ratings:
    +15 / 0 / -0
    #33 jbat, Jul 11, 2013
    Sorry hands got dirty and I couldn't take any more pictures, but rest assured it is all put together now, no need to remove the lower ball joint. Just a little jimmy and shimmy and it all came apart beautifully.

    Thanks to everyone that helped out on this thread, the insight made the job much easier than I think it would have been otherwise
     
Page 2 of 2

Share This Page