what a job!! swapped the bushings in the sway bar brackets and the control arm rear housings on the front end. So MUCH better. You could kick the wheel a couple inches now it hardly budges 1/8th inch My axle boots are blown and pouring out grease so I am wondering what to do here. You all know about the chattering of the throw out bearing. So I got thinking.. Hmmm now that I have access to a lift I could easily pop the transmission off. Do a full racing flywheel/clutch/pressure plate/ maybe some performance axles? I have a new rear engine mount left to install I should get it next week from WMW(backorder) I know a lot of vendors are on here scourering the forums so if you have any axles or performance flywheel/clutch kits I would love to hear what u got to sell. Those WMW bushings are FANTASTIC!! I love love love love them!!! I need : axles performance clutch/flywheel/pressure plate power steering pump ???rack and pinion bushings???? I question is this worth it or not?
I got my drive shafts from the driveshaft shop. Better than OEM. The Driveshaft Shop | Mini 2001-2006 Cooper S Basic Axle Level 0 - Mini - Import Axles When I need a clutch I will be getting the OS Giken. OS Giken GT Clutch R53 R52 Cooper S - Way Motor Works
Check the right side intermediate shaft bearing while you have the right dirveshaft off, the ones you get from the driveshaft shop do not include this bearing and you can't buy it from MINI. If you find you need one PM me for where to get it. Way sells a Valeo clutch assy....very reasonably priced and works perfectly. I just installed in an '02 S and it went in really well.
Did the same job yesterday, too. Dropped the subframe. Took about 6hrs w/o a lift. Swapped out w/ OEM the sway bar bushes, inner ball joints & LCA bushes w/ pre-pressed OEMs. Changed the PS hose clamps, too. Next time, I might try PU bushes. Car feels brand new again. Head scratchers were why MINI engineers faced all the bolt heads of LCA Bush Housings & Inner Ball Joints towards the engine instead of the ground!!!????? They definitely succeeded in making everything inaccessible & in complicating simple matters! They probably don't want us to do our own wrenching. Those 6hrs could've been down to 1.:confused5: