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.

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  1. Motoring Magic

    Motoring Magic New Member
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    #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

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    #22 jbat, Jul 4, 2013
    Oh and will I need a spring compressor ?
     
  3. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #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
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    #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
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    #25 Mr. Jim, Jul 4, 2013
    Mine are fine too. And after a proper alignment the ride is awesome!
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #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
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    #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

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    #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

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    #29 jbat, Jul 11, 2013
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373558750.356354.jpg got the parts in. 2 camber plates from way motor works
     
  10. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #30 jbat, Jul 11, 2013
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373558818.689674.jpg disconnected the away bar linkage
     
  11. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #31 jbat, Jul 11, 2013
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373558851.939649.jpg removed bolt holding on the strut
     
  12. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #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

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    #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
     
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